injured? shocked? thinking about being broody?

[queenie_29]

Hi, one of our girls has been sitting in the nest box pretty much all day for the past few days and eating very little.

So about a week ago I went out to shut the girls away and our SLW had her neck caught in the hinge of the gate. She kicked and managed to flap off as I went outside and she landed and rolled a bit. We picked her up and brought her inside, and gave her some sugar water and offered food, but she didn't want any. She was really tired so we left her inside for the night. The next day she was pretty good so we popped her outside with the others and she was good for a few days, but still not eating much.

Now, about a week after the initial incident, she is doing much better, however for the past few days she has just sat in the nesting box. We have tried giving her mushed up food (we mixed it with water and left it to absorb), but she isn't much a fan of this. She will eat some yoghurt, and this afternoon we tried oats. She will also eat some cooked liver, but not loads of it. Whenever she eats, especially yoghurt or anything of a similar consistency, her beak clicks a lot more than usual. Generally we bring her inside for a bit and she eats lots, and then we put her back outside and she will go and scratch around/dust bathe for around 30 mins and then she runs straight back to the nest box.

She is top of the pecking order, and she is so sweet and friendly so please let me know what we can do to help her get back on her feet.

 

[Perris]

It sounds to me like she is injured, not broody, and I think she is no longer top of the pecking order. Did you look at her neck for any sign of injury? Can you do so and report back?

 

[queenie_29]

It sounds to me like she is injured, not broody, and I think she is no longer top of the pecking order. Did you look at her neck for any sign of injury? Can you do so and report back?

Ok, I just had a feel of her neck, and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary however I can see a scratch/cut type thing on the top of her beak. Could that mean anythjng?

 

[Perris]

A blow so hard it impacted her beak was a hard knock indeed, and she may have incurred other, less obvious, damage. That she is hiding in the nestbox indicates she's not feeling up to negotiating flock dynamics, at least. I would keep a close eye on her, ensure she is getting plenty of food and access to water, and in general offer lots of tlc until she feels well enough to mingle full time with the flock. Easy to swallow foods would be a good idea as her gullet as well as beak may still be tender.

her beak clicks a lot more than usual

If you think her beak may be broken or split, a vet visit might be necessary.
And I would put something like a toddler guard on the gate so it can't happen again.

 

[queenie_29]

A blow so hard it impacted her beak was a hard knock indeed, and she may have incurred other, less obvious, damage. That she is hiding in the nestbox indicates she's not feeling up to negotiating flock dynamics, at least. I would keep a close eye on her, ensure she is getting plenty of food and access to water, and in general offer lots of tlc until she feels well enough to mingle full time with the flock. Easy to swallow foods would be a good idea as her gullet as well as beak may still be tender.


If you think her beak may be broken or split, a vet visit might be necessary.
And I would put something like a toddler guard on the gate so it can't happen again.

Great, thanks for all your help. We will give that a go, and keep an eye on her.