Keeping hen happy during isolation?

[FuzzyDuck]

One of my hens, Minerva, is dealing with a prolapse. We’re keeping her isolated in a large dog kennel with a roost, water, some food, and antibiotics that the vet gave us. She’s generally behaving normally and is NOT happy to be on her own in a small space. Any suggestions on keeping her happy while she (hopefully) recovers? She’s crying/calling out softly, so I feel extra bad for her!

 

[nuthatched]

She can be around the others, put her kennel by her flock. Why did the doc give you antibiotics for a prolapse?

 

[Tclloyd0812]

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. (Love her name by the way!)
The only things I can mention that may help would be to make sure she is in a dark lit room with a towel or blanket over the top to keep stress levels to a minimum. Try offering treats occasionally, and keep things quiet so she can relax.

I'm hoping she will recover. Maybe someone else has better input as well but for now, just try your best. Good luck.

 

[FuzzyDuck]

Thank you both! It’s definitely a stressful thing, I’m hoping she’ll be okay after some rest and time to heal…

Fair point, @nuthatched, we’re trying to keep her in the dark (ish) for a big portion of the day to discourage laying, so having her outside near the run seems like it’d be a challenge. She keeps laying soft eggs, and the prolapse keeps popping back out. I think the vet gave antibiotics because the tissue keeps being exposed, so we want to avoid a secondary infection, I guess? I’ve never dealt with this before.

 

[Tclloyd0812]

Thank you both! It’s definitely a stressful thing, I’m hoping she’ll be okay after some rest and time to heal…

Fair point, @nuthatched, we’re trying to keep her in the dark (ish) for a big portion of the day to discourage laying, so having her outside near the run seems like it’d be a challenge. She keeps laying soft eggs, and the prolapse keeps popping back out. I think the vet gave antibiotics because the tissue keeps being exposed, so we want to avoid a secondary infection, I guess? I’ve never dealt with this before.

I'm sorry you are going through this! I'm not too experienced in prolapsed vents, perhaps someone on here will be able to help you more with that.

 

[nuthatched]

Thank you both! It’s definitely a stressful thing, I’m hoping she’ll be okay after some rest and time to heal…

Fair point, @nuthatched, we’re trying to keep her in the dark (ish) for a big portion of the day to discourage laying, so having her outside near the run seems like it’d be a challenge. She keeps laying soft eggs, and the prolapse keeps popping back out. I think the vet gave antibiotics because the tissue keeps being exposed, so we want to avoid a secondary infection, I guess? I’ve never dealt with this before.

It's not a fun thing to deal with, to be sure.
Keeping her in the dark might work, but I think it would take some time to kick in.
You've already tried upping her calcium with shell or supplements?

 

[FuzzyDuck]

I haven’t, no! Calcium will help?