Help! My girls in bad shape

[plantmistress]

My name is Chrystal Callahan & this year I got my first chickens. Never had chickens before so I'm not sure what is wrong with my Ginger. I got her about in mid March, so she is not laying yet, but is kind of acting like an egg bound chicken.( At least from what I've read) She is not moving around much, laying down in the coop with her feathers ruffled & her neck tucked close to her chest. Not eating, wouldn't even eat the corn I gave her this morning.Not talking. Looks tired, lethargic (easy to catch). Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks
Chrystal

 

[Auntie]

She does sound like she could be egg bound. Feel around her abdomen and see if you can feel the bulge of eggs. As I understand it, if you do, lubricate her oviduct with mineral oil or petroleum jelly as far as you can reach, and try to ease the eggs to come out. A good counrtry vet could do this for you, too. Sometimes putting the hen under a lamp for warmth causes the eggs to come out by themselves. Your feed could be what's causing this. If she's done this now, there's a good chance she'll bind up again. Knock wood, I've never had a biinding hen. But I have a garden that supplies all the flock with fresh greens, not to mention left overs from the kitchen (no meat). If you can get this resolved, try changing the feed and add the veggies! Work fast, though. This can kill her.

 

[plantmistress]

I just started her on layer feed, they were getting chick starter. She is only about 20 weeks old & has never laid eggs. She gets veggie treats and gets to roam the yard everyday, so I'm sure she is getting enough greens & veggies. Does this new info help?

 

[denisejoyce68]

I have a buff about 3 months old doing the same thing today..........hope you find out something. Good Luck

D.Joyce
FL

 

[TeamChaos]

Hi there, I'm sorry Ginger is sick. How many other chickens do you have? Is she the only one acting sluggish? I ask because it as hot as heck here today in WI and some of my girls are having a tough go of it just because of the heat. Has she drank any water that you know of? Before I'd assume it was an egg problem in a chicken that hasn't yet begun to lay, I'd look into food/ dehydration issues. Is her crop full? Has it emptied at all since she's been down? What is her poop like? Have you checked her for mites/ gnats/ etc. that might be making her miserable?