listless hen

[mirsy09]

I bought a pair of Light Sussex hens to add to my flock. I kept them separate in the barn with a Polish hen that had a small wound. When they were nicely mated up, I put all three in the coop with my flock. They all seemed fine and got along well. After a few days, I noticed the one hen was staying in the coop on the roost or in the nesting box. She seemed dull and listless. I picked her up and noticed that one eye had a small cut above it and she kept it closed. But if I tapped on the nest, she opened it. So I took her out and put her in the barn in an empty stall. She still seems very quiet, keeps that eye closed and she seeems to sleep most of the time. That eye is not swollen nor does it have any drainage. Is she sick or depressed? So today, I went a bought a young Buff Turken for her as a friend and put her in the stall also. Any ideas???

 

[Louise's Country Closet]

Have you tried encouraging her to eat and drink? Your hen reminds me of mine the other week who was attacked and her eye was swollen shut. She was really listless until I took her out and made her drink water (dipped her beak in water and made her drink) and after that I was able to get her to eat a little. After that, she started to get some spunk back but the girls kept her hidden away in one of the nestboxes. I eventually had to move her to another coop and she's much happier now - but I was definitely worried I was going to lose her there for a little bit!!

 

[BrattishTaz]

I would rinse the eye with warm water or saline solution. A little sugar in her drinking water may perk her up too.

 

[mirsy09]

Thanx, I will rinse her eye with saline, that is what my plan was for her. I have seen her eat as I let her out of the stall into the sunshine. She picked at the grass. I will also dip her beak in sugar water to perk her up. I appreciate your help. The new Turken stays with her and that might help encourage her as well.