Karlkurla Chooks
Songster
- Dec 7, 2024
- 439
- 796
- 196
Coriander, my blonde Hy-Line hen of over 1.5 years old, lays the largest eggs of my flock. She has been broody as well once.
Lately I've had some very large eggs and double-yolkers, however I noticed the shells had strange lumps on them.
Yesterday afternoon I noticed her trying to lay down in the middle of the yard like she was trying to lay an egg (it wasn't her usual squatting for me to pat her). Last night she roosted with the rest of the flock.
Earlier this morning I noticed that Coriander was not running up to me with the rest of my flock. I fed them some treats of chopped apple, then sat down to watch them. While they scratched happily amongst the grass and garden beds, Coriander was standing awkwardly and closing her eyes like she wanted to go to sleep. She was not standing upright like a penguin. I walked away briefly, then found her hiding amongst the rosemary shrub. I picked her up to check on her and she didn't resist. She didn't even cluck.
I put her down and she slowly went and tried to hide again and close her eyes. Here she is with my Light Sussex hen Marjoram behind her - you can see the difference in wellness. The rest of my chicks are all okay as well.
I left them alone then returned. My Hy-Line pullet Coffee had parked herself on the other side of the rosemary shrub, but she tweeted at me somewhat annoyingly when I went close to her. Meanwhile Coriander only opened her eyes. I noticed her vent "pulsating", like she was trying to lay an egg. To me she definitely looks like she is straining and uncomfortable.
I picked her up again and held her gently. I honestly believe she is egg-bound and will not last the night at best.
I bought some epsom salts to soak her in, to hopefully help her pass the egg. This might be the last time I see her alive.
I also turned on the deep freezer and have a towel and bag ready to wrap her up and preserve her, so I can book her in to see the taxidermist so he can become a hen-cushion to roost on a perch inside my home.
Lately I've had some very large eggs and double-yolkers, however I noticed the shells had strange lumps on them.
Yesterday afternoon I noticed her trying to lay down in the middle of the yard like she was trying to lay an egg (it wasn't her usual squatting for me to pat her). Last night she roosted with the rest of the flock.
Earlier this morning I noticed that Coriander was not running up to me with the rest of my flock. I fed them some treats of chopped apple, then sat down to watch them. While they scratched happily amongst the grass and garden beds, Coriander was standing awkwardly and closing her eyes like she wanted to go to sleep. She was not standing upright like a penguin. I walked away briefly, then found her hiding amongst the rosemary shrub. I picked her up to check on her and she didn't resist. She didn't even cluck.
I put her down and she slowly went and tried to hide again and close her eyes. Here she is with my Light Sussex hen Marjoram behind her - you can see the difference in wellness. The rest of my chicks are all okay as well.
I left them alone then returned. My Hy-Line pullet Coffee had parked herself on the other side of the rosemary shrub, but she tweeted at me somewhat annoyingly when I went close to her. Meanwhile Coriander only opened her eyes. I noticed her vent "pulsating", like she was trying to lay an egg. To me she definitely looks like she is straining and uncomfortable.
I picked her up again and held her gently. I honestly believe she is egg-bound and will not last the night at best.
I bought some epsom salts to soak her in, to hopefully help her pass the egg. This might be the last time I see her alive.
I also turned on the deep freezer and have a towel and bag ready to wrap her up and preserve her, so I can book her in to see the taxidermist so he can become a hen-cushion to roost on a perch inside my home.
