- Jan 10, 2014
- 8
- 0
- 62
I have 8 hens and a rooster. I just got them last May and they are all close to 2 yrs old. They stay in a small barn. When the weather was better they were free range every day and closed in at night. But I have discovered they don't like the snow, so I have left the barn doors closed for the most part to help keep out drafts. The barn is not real big, but they are the only animals in there, so moisture has not seemed to be an issue.
Four days ago when I went out there, I noticed one of the hens had a very pale wattle and had her feathers fluffed up. My chickens are difficult to catch during the daytime, so I did not get a closer look. At the time I thought maybe her wattle had frostbite. So I started searching on the internet. I learned frostbite blackens their wattles or combs, so that wasn't it. Instead I learned she may be anemic due to a parasite.
Three days ago I became more concerned as she appeared to have some difficulty walking and had a VERY messy vent area. I wished I could give her a bath, but with the freezing temps I was unsure how best to go about it. Plus, I've never given a chicken a bath, so that added to my uncertainty.
Two days ago I was afraid she was close to her death bed as she was barely moving. I was able to examine her much more closely. I lifted her and looked her over. I noticed she has some bald patches on her underside and under her wings. I also noticed small lice (at least I think they are lice) crawling on the skin under her wing. I felt her underside as I had read about the possibility of a retained egg. She just felt bony on her underside. I rubbed her with some powder I had been given by the person who originally brought me the chickens. It is a powder for yard, garden and pets and it has perthrine in it. Oh, and I also noticed there is something strange about her feet, though I can't quite figure out why. But when she walks (which is not easy for her) on the brick floor she sounds like her feet are made of stone. They make a noise similar to rock on brick, rather than chicken foot on brick. Okay, so I know that last part especially sounds weird, but I don't know how else to describe it.
Yesterday she didn't seem quite as week as the day before, but still not doing well. She did eat some bread that I brought her and I thought that was a good sign.
I am going to check on her right after I send this to you.
I am just not sure what to do for her right now. According to some things I read I can reapply the powder twice in seven day increments. Also I read I can dust her with wood ash (which I have from a pellet stove). I also wondered about putting vaseline on her feet and legs, but I'm not sure. And I wondered if I should bring her inside to bath her and let her dry before putting her back outside, but I don't know what to keep her in inside.
I know this is long, and if you are still reading this I appreciate it greatly!
Thanks for your time and any advice you may have.
Four days ago when I went out there, I noticed one of the hens had a very pale wattle and had her feathers fluffed up. My chickens are difficult to catch during the daytime, so I did not get a closer look. At the time I thought maybe her wattle had frostbite. So I started searching on the internet. I learned frostbite blackens their wattles or combs, so that wasn't it. Instead I learned she may be anemic due to a parasite.
Three days ago I became more concerned as she appeared to have some difficulty walking and had a VERY messy vent area. I wished I could give her a bath, but with the freezing temps I was unsure how best to go about it. Plus, I've never given a chicken a bath, so that added to my uncertainty.
Two days ago I was afraid she was close to her death bed as she was barely moving. I was able to examine her much more closely. I lifted her and looked her over. I noticed she has some bald patches on her underside and under her wings. I also noticed small lice (at least I think they are lice) crawling on the skin under her wing. I felt her underside as I had read about the possibility of a retained egg. She just felt bony on her underside. I rubbed her with some powder I had been given by the person who originally brought me the chickens. It is a powder for yard, garden and pets and it has perthrine in it. Oh, and I also noticed there is something strange about her feet, though I can't quite figure out why. But when she walks (which is not easy for her) on the brick floor she sounds like her feet are made of stone. They make a noise similar to rock on brick, rather than chicken foot on brick. Okay, so I know that last part especially sounds weird, but I don't know how else to describe it.
Yesterday she didn't seem quite as week as the day before, but still not doing well. She did eat some bread that I brought her and I thought that was a good sign.
I am going to check on her right after I send this to you.
I am just not sure what to do for her right now. According to some things I read I can reapply the powder twice in seven day increments. Also I read I can dust her with wood ash (which I have from a pellet stove). I also wondered about putting vaseline on her feet and legs, but I'm not sure. And I wondered if I should bring her inside to bath her and let her dry before putting her back outside, but I don't know what to keep her in inside.
I know this is long, and if you are still reading this I appreciate it greatly!
Thanks for your time and any advice you may have.