Hi all,
I have a Red Sex-link hen who has not been herself the last two mornings. She has laid every day except one since she got to the POL age. She hasn't laid one the past two days. She's a little over a year old. No apparent illness or injuries showing. I didn't notice any mites or lice when I examined her. Vent looks normal with no mucus or poo. Eyes, nares, wattles, comb appear normal and have good red color. She's a little puffed up feather wise, tail is either down or straight out when she does walk around. She was sitting on the coop floor by some ice jugs earlier and panting. She seems to be trying to keep her distance from her sisters which is unusual. They are like the 3 Musketeers - ALWAYS side by side. She is drinking and eating. Normal poops. It's been BLISTERING hot here. Heat indexes over 100 for a few days and counting. Her sister seems to be acting normally. More active. I checked her tummy for swelling and it doesn't feel any different than her sister's. Her crop wasn't as empty as her sisters, but I don't know how long it was since she came out of the coop and started eating before I took ice to them. It's not hard, nor does she have an odor from her mouth. I don't feel an egg near her backside, but I don't know what it would feel like if she had one stuck really. When it cools down in the evenings she seems to perk up, puts her tail up and is more active around her sisters and seems to want food more. It is just the heat getting to her and she's taking it easy in the mornings?? Am I worrying to much? Will she be OK if she doesn't lay and egg soon after being so regular?? I don't want her to become egg bound. Been giving frozen watermelon to all of them and NO ONE turns that down.
I have a Red Sex-link hen who has not been herself the last two mornings. She has laid every day except one since she got to the POL age. She hasn't laid one the past two days. She's a little over a year old. No apparent illness or injuries showing. I didn't notice any mites or lice when I examined her. Vent looks normal with no mucus or poo. Eyes, nares, wattles, comb appear normal and have good red color. She's a little puffed up feather wise, tail is either down or straight out when she does walk around. She was sitting on the coop floor by some ice jugs earlier and panting. She seems to be trying to keep her distance from her sisters which is unusual. They are like the 3 Musketeers - ALWAYS side by side. She is drinking and eating. Normal poops. It's been BLISTERING hot here. Heat indexes over 100 for a few days and counting. Her sister seems to be acting normally. More active. I checked her tummy for swelling and it doesn't feel any different than her sister's. Her crop wasn't as empty as her sisters, but I don't know how long it was since she came out of the coop and started eating before I took ice to them. It's not hard, nor does she have an odor from her mouth. I don't feel an egg near her backside, but I don't know what it would feel like if she had one stuck really. When it cools down in the evenings she seems to perk up, puts her tail up and is more active around her sisters and seems to want food more. It is just the heat getting to her and she's taking it easy in the mornings?? Am I worrying to much? Will she be OK if she doesn't lay and egg soon after being so regular?? I don't want her to become egg bound. Been giving frozen watermelon to all of them and NO ONE turns that down.
