- Jun 25, 2014
- 3
- 0
- 7
Hi
I am hoping some more experienced chicken owners might be able to shead some light on my Chickens bizarre behaviour.
My 2 1/2yr old Cochin stated behaving strangely 3 days ago. Very loud squawking (we can hear when inside with double glazing) and then running and hiding cowering in the bushes. She is not heading for the nest box. Initially we though she had been spooked by something perhaps a cat (normally there is no issue with the neighbourhood cats). It is a very loud squawks and my second thoughts were that she was in pain. It almost like a spam of pain or the sort of behaviour you would expect if something had stung her. She slightly looked like she might be straining so after a bit of googling I thought she might be egg bound. I used warm towels on her abdomen and gave it a massage. I later tried the finger inserted up her vent - went in at least 2" and no egg found. She is not eating her normal food but will tucking to some sweet corn and meal worms if offered. She has been pooing - quiet small but then she is not eating much. As she had passed stools I thought I would see how she was over night before resorting to the vet.
Following day simillar behaviour but squawks were not quite so loud. I took her to the vet. She confirmed she was not egg bound. She also listened to her heart and lungs - all fine. There is no discharge from anywhere. She has lost weight but this is not unusual for her she has been broody recently and then moulting so the weight lost does not surprise me. There is no sign of any parasites. She seems bright and alert. In the absence of any finding and because I was worried she might be in pain the vet gave her a painkilling injection.
After the vet she did seem a bit better. Quieter but still going off with some loud squawks. Also very strange behaviour as she kept trying to come in the house through the patio doors. She has never come in before, never been encouraged or even tried to enter before - we actively discourage it. She kept pushing up against the glass and pecking at it.
This morning she did a normal poo has had a few meal worms. She has squawked a bit and has now been hiding in the hedge for the last 40 mins with out moving.
I am beginning to wonder if it is more a behavioural issue that a pain issue - I hope so. She is quiet a hormonal chicken ie she goes broody a lot. She is in the middle of her moult so perhaps that is making her uncomfortable.
If anyone can shed some light on this I would be very grateful as I hate seeing her distress and I am not sure what to do next.
Thank you in advance
I am hoping some more experienced chicken owners might be able to shead some light on my Chickens bizarre behaviour.
My 2 1/2yr old Cochin stated behaving strangely 3 days ago. Very loud squawking (we can hear when inside with double glazing) and then running and hiding cowering in the bushes. She is not heading for the nest box. Initially we though she had been spooked by something perhaps a cat (normally there is no issue with the neighbourhood cats). It is a very loud squawks and my second thoughts were that she was in pain. It almost like a spam of pain or the sort of behaviour you would expect if something had stung her. She slightly looked like she might be straining so after a bit of googling I thought she might be egg bound. I used warm towels on her abdomen and gave it a massage. I later tried the finger inserted up her vent - went in at least 2" and no egg found. She is not eating her normal food but will tucking to some sweet corn and meal worms if offered. She has been pooing - quiet small but then she is not eating much. As she had passed stools I thought I would see how she was over night before resorting to the vet.
Following day simillar behaviour but squawks were not quite so loud. I took her to the vet. She confirmed she was not egg bound. She also listened to her heart and lungs - all fine. There is no discharge from anywhere. She has lost weight but this is not unusual for her she has been broody recently and then moulting so the weight lost does not surprise me. There is no sign of any parasites. She seems bright and alert. In the absence of any finding and because I was worried she might be in pain the vet gave her a painkilling injection.
After the vet she did seem a bit better. Quieter but still going off with some loud squawks. Also very strange behaviour as she kept trying to come in the house through the patio doors. She has never come in before, never been encouraged or even tried to enter before - we actively discourage it. She kept pushing up against the glass and pecking at it.
This morning she did a normal poo has had a few meal worms. She has squawked a bit and has now been hiding in the hedge for the last 40 mins with out moving.
I am beginning to wonder if it is more a behavioural issue that a pain issue - I hope so. She is quiet a hormonal chicken ie she goes broody a lot. She is in the middle of her moult so perhaps that is making her uncomfortable.
If anyone can shed some light on this I would be very grateful as I hate seeing her distress and I am not sure what to do next.
Thank you in advance
