Poorly Hen

[Adderz]

Hello. One of my girls has had a bit of a dirty bum but has seemed herself otherwise. Yesterday she didn’t seem her self and away from the others and hunched. She isn’t eating or drinking much but still is. I have checked for mites and worms but can see any signs of this. For now I have put her inside her own setting....is this the right thing to do? Will she be ok in there on her own? Do I need a make shift nest box? (she has never perched before - ex batt so haven’t made a perch) Any ideas on what else I should check for or what it could be? many Thanks I have attached a few piccies.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is a perfect way of confining her and observing her in her usual coop. Do you have other chickens in there with her? That is best so that she will feel comfortable. Many ex-battery or older hens have problems with reproductive issues, such as salpingitis, internal laying, egg yolk peritonitis, or ascites (water belly.) Usually the exact issue is not known until after they die and we can do a necropsy exam. Crop issues can also be a problem, so checking in early morning to see if their crop is empty is good. The crop should fill up gradually during the day with food and water. In the morning if it is hard, doughy, or puffy, then something is wrong. What do her droppings look like? I would offer some chicken feed mixed with water into a mash, some bits of scrambled egg, and those can be alternated with bits of canned cat food or tuna. Chick vitamins, Poultry NutriDrench, or Super B complex vitamins are good to give a boost.

 

[Adderz]

That is a perfect way of confining her and observing her in her usual coop. Do you have other chickens in there with her? That is best so that she will feel comfortable. Many ex-battery or older hens have problems with reproductive issues, such as salpingitis, internal laying, egg yolk peritonitis, or ascites (water belly.) Usually the exact issue is not known until after they die and we can do a necropsy exam. Crop issues can also be a problem, so checking in early morning to see if their crop is empty is good. The crop should fill up gradually during the day with food and water. In the morning if it is hard, doughy, or puffy, then something is wrong. What do her droppings look like? I would offer some chicken feed mixed with water into a mash, some bits of scrambled egg, and those can be alternated with bits of canned cat food or tuna. Chick vitamins, Poultry NutriDrench, or Super B complex vitamins are good to give a boost.

Thank you...she seems a little better tonight fingers crossed