- Apr 18, 2012
- 7
- 0
- 7
I have an older hen that I got from a friend last year. They thought that she was one of their older hens, and I haven't seen any problems with her until now.
A few days ago her behavior suddenly changed from active and friendly to lethargic (she moved extremely slowly when walking or eating)
I'm not sure if she is still laying or not, I'm not sure how to check for her being eggbound, but I have felt her belly between her legs and it soft, and a bit baloonish? Not tight.
I noticed when she jumped off the deck she fell into a sitting position. When she jumped a second time she landed correctly, but not stongly.
We tried putting her in warm water for about an hour two days ago to see if that helped anything. She did not behave like a hen we have had that was eggbound before (the other hen squatted and strained a lot, and passed the egg in the water) She sat in the water and relaxed, closing her eyes, but didnt fall asleep. She was pretty alert and would look for noises.
Last night instead of flying up to perch like she usually does, she stayed on the ground. We moved her into the house and had her sit on a towel covered heating pad for around 45 mins, then turned it off.
She was given medicated water and pellet food/scratch today. She is showing no interest in the food, but easily drinks the water.
Her poop is very runny with some streaks of white. She also had a normal looking poop this morning. Looking now, her most recent poop is lumpy and runny, more of a green-brown. She does have poopy butt.
She has spent much of today in the same position, preferring to sit, but she can stand if persuaded.
I'm not sure if the smell is coming from her poop or her head, but it is not what I would call normal.
While she was laying down I noticed her shivering. She is in the house and it is not cold. It stopped after a few seconds. I have noticed her panting and holding her wings out, but I think that may be the heat of the house.
Our coop does have mice, she has been treated for mites once before but needs to be treated again, and I don't think she has ever been wormed. Her comb is a normal color. No discharge from the eyes/mouth.
I have noticed that she may be leaning slightly forward with her tail up. (but not erect) I'm not sure though.
I really love her and want her to stay healthy. I'm hoping this is just her giving into age but I suspect it isn't. Any suggestions would be helpful.
A few days ago her behavior suddenly changed from active and friendly to lethargic (she moved extremely slowly when walking or eating)
I'm not sure if she is still laying or not, I'm not sure how to check for her being eggbound, but I have felt her belly between her legs and it soft, and a bit baloonish? Not tight.
I noticed when she jumped off the deck she fell into a sitting position. When she jumped a second time she landed correctly, but not stongly.
We tried putting her in warm water for about an hour two days ago to see if that helped anything. She did not behave like a hen we have had that was eggbound before (the other hen squatted and strained a lot, and passed the egg in the water) She sat in the water and relaxed, closing her eyes, but didnt fall asleep. She was pretty alert and would look for noises.
Last night instead of flying up to perch like she usually does, she stayed on the ground. We moved her into the house and had her sit on a towel covered heating pad for around 45 mins, then turned it off.
She was given medicated water and pellet food/scratch today. She is showing no interest in the food, but easily drinks the water.
Her poop is very runny with some streaks of white. She also had a normal looking poop this morning. Looking now, her most recent poop is lumpy and runny, more of a green-brown. She does have poopy butt.
She has spent much of today in the same position, preferring to sit, but she can stand if persuaded.
I'm not sure if the smell is coming from her poop or her head, but it is not what I would call normal.
While she was laying down I noticed her shivering. She is in the house and it is not cold. It stopped after a few seconds. I have noticed her panting and holding her wings out, but I think that may be the heat of the house.
Our coop does have mice, she has been treated for mites once before but needs to be treated again, and I don't think she has ever been wormed. Her comb is a normal color. No discharge from the eyes/mouth.
I have noticed that she may be leaning slightly forward with her tail up. (but not erect) I'm not sure though.
I really love her and want her to stay healthy. I'm hoping this is just her giving into age but I suspect it isn't. Any suggestions would be helpful.