I need advice please!

[Hendom]

I have just got 3 ex battery hens. One has a floppy comb but seemed ok. Now she is being bullied by one of the others. Its drawn blood. So I used Stokholm tar and it seemed to calm down. She was eating fine and staying out of the way. Today, I noticed some blood in the coop. I checked on her but there were no visible wounds on her or the others. I watched her for a little while and noticed she was straining to poop. She stands almost vertical and makes breath-like noises. She is passing a few bits but her bum looks very red as though its turned inside out.
She is in my house at the moment being very nosy but freezes when she tries to poop. All the hens have had ACV and vermex too. Really not sure what to do!

 

[Lollipop]

Could be the stress of relocating, or something more serious. I would try and get some oil down her, like fish oil, or even mineral oil. It could also be that she is constipated, in which case, mix some mollasses in her water. Make it look like weak tea. Mollasses is a natural laxative for fowl. In any case, keep her away from all the others until this issue is resolved. Good luck.........Pop

 

[Hendom]

Hey Lollipop.
Thanks for your advice. Its so sad to see her like this as she is so funny and sweet. I will try these things out. I don't have any room to isolate her at night but can do in the day. I thought she may be egg bound but she has never laid an egg!

 

[Lollipop]

Hey Lollipop.
Thanks for your advice. Its so sad to see her like this as she is so funny and sweet. I will try these things out. I don't have any room to isolate her at night but can do in the day. I thought she may be egg bound but she has never laid an egg!

Isolation is not just for her, but a precaution against others catching any disease from her. It would be a good idea to work on a seperate crate, or something movable so that sick birds, or any new birds can be quarrentined. Hope she gets better.......Pop

 

[bairo]

I think your very sweet for wanting to give an ex battery hen a home. However they are usually riddled with problems and I have seen them be the cause of wiping out an entire flock. I salute you, but I could not do it. The advice on molasses in the water is a good one and probably the first thing I would try. You may also like to giver her some relief with a nice warm flow of water around her bum. If she gets better and goes back out make sure she has access to some sort of grit as well. She has eaten nothing but a laying mash her entire life and is not used to other things...so her diet needs to change slowly and she will really need the grit.

 

[Hendom]

Thanks Bairo!

I did the warm water bath the other night.. she loved it.. she even dozed off! Her vent looks great now and she has stopped straining. She seems to be very upbeat again. She pooped fine this morning!
I do think that picking battery Hens as our first hens might have been a huge step but I feel that if they have a couple of months in a lovely garden doing what they want, when they want, its worth it. And they are so funny!
The bullying is still going on and its pouring with rain here so had to build a new shelter coz the other two wont let her in. She is eating well and yes, I provide them with grit and she seems happy sat out in her new shelter.
I hope they all get on soon

Thanks for all your advice

Hendom
x

 

[bairo]

Your very welcome....good luck and happy chicken keeping