Hen walking with rear hunched down...

[Linda V]

Yesterday afternoon, my hen (2 yrs old) was walking around in their free-range area with her back end hunched down....as if she were trying to either relieve herself or lay an egg. It was heart-breaking to watch but she did manage to get up into the roosting area of the 2-story coop because we went out at dusk to make sure.

We only have 2 hens, they are very close and pretty much inseparable. She hasn't had much appetite lately, but drinks quite a bit and her waste doesn't look normal either...but she is obviously still able to "go" so it's not that she can't. They both stopped laying eggs 3 weeks ago and are now in early molt. I've got them on Feather Fixer till they are back to normal again, but I do supplement their diet with healthy treats in moderation...nothing fattening or "junk" food but this hen (Abigail) is not eating much - other than grapes, greens & bugs that she catches all day long.

I'm not happy she;s ignoring the Feather Fixer because it's a "staple" she really needs to stay healthy and maintain her weight.

The horrible case of mites she had is 95% over too. Tonight she gets her 2nd and MAYBE last treatment of Nu-Stock...man that stuff works great! So, when we've got her on the table, I'll check the vent area but other than that, there's not much else we can do.

I was worried sick about her last night as I've never even heard of a chicken walking around like that...but early this morning I checked on them, holding my breath...and she was FINE!

I gave up trying to find out on the internet and on here too, which was a shock as this site has so tons of amazing info and collective experiences to share! I don't know what I'd do without BYC!

So...does anyone have any ideas as to WHAT that was???

LindaV in NC
8/8/17

 

[Kiki]

Now would be a good time to collect some fresh poop and bring it to a vet's office to check for worms.

 

[Linda V]

Now would be a good time to collect some fresh poop and bring it to a vet's office to check for worms.

Okay...thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Linda V]

Now would be a good time to collect some fresh poop and bring it to a vet's office to check for worms.

AND...also thanks for the link you sent too! Most informative!

 

[Kiki]

AND...also thanks for the link you sent too! Most informative!

I didn't send a link.

 

[theoldchick]

When I have a hen who doesn't act right the first thing I do is put my hands on her and do a physical. From Beak to Butt. Some of these hens that are 'stove up' (without respiratory symptoms) seem to enjoy a nice warm soak in the sink and a gentle blow dry. This allows me to get a good look at the patient. That way if she needs a trip to a vet she is already clean.

Establishing a good relationship with a poultry savvy veterinarian can really help the backyard chicken owner. There are many simple tests that can be performed which will help prevent disease, and stop you from wasting money on over the counter medication that most likely won't work anyway. Remember, skilled nursing care can go a long way but knowledgeable nursing care can go even further.

 

[Linda V]

I didn't send a link.

LOL...I thought you did cuz it was in your little message window. It was really good too!
Here's a copy past of it & thanks again!!!

↑
AND...also thanks for the link you sent too! Most informative!
I didn't send a link.

Proper FEEDING ............................
Fermented Feed .............real roundworms................Articles1

 

[Kiki]

LOL...I thought you did cuz it was in your little message window. It was really good too!
Here's a copy past of it & thanks again!!!

↑
AND...also thanks for the link you sent too! Most informative!
I didn't send a link.

Proper FEEDING ............................
Fermented Feed .............real roundworms................Articles1

Ohh....those...
Those links are in ALL of my posts. They are part of my "signature"

 

[Linda V]

Hopefully soon, I'm going to get John to take a photo of me with Abigail in my arms!
I want to use that pic for my new profile photo. You should see their legs/feet now!
So close to being 100% mite-free! Sure wish I knew how many days, weeks or months before those hard, black scales finally fall off on their own. If not for those and that big thing - which is getting smaller & drier with each day - she'd look amazingly well. Did I mention John told me that Abby came to us with that thing on her leg 13 months ago. We just thought it was a birth defect....can you believe that? Ignorance is never bliss!

 

[Linda V]

UPDATE: Abby no longer walking with rear end dragging on the ground. Still have no idea why she did that in the first place, but they are both on Feather Fixer now and one scrambled egg each day with a touch of garlic mixed in and in the afternoon a little probiotic yogurt. Can't believe how little they are eating now...it's almost scary but we treat them 4 times a day with 1/4 cup of crumbled FORAGING BLOCK and they eat that like candy! The thing that's upsetting me more than anything right now is they stopped using the water cooler with the BriteTap on it....so I'm back to being a slave to that disgusting waterer again!

On a positive note...Henrietta's legs/feet look 100% normal but Abby still has a few of those black scales stuck on the tops of her feet that won't fall off just yet and the big growth on the side of her leg but it's not like it was before the treatments!

THIS Saturday, I'm going to smother both their legs/feet again with the Nu-Stock! That will be Henrietta's last treatment but Abby may still continue to get Nu-Stock every Sat. morning till that horrid growth is gone!

LindaV in NC
8/14/17