Possible St John's wort poisoning

[Zedlister]

Hello there.

I have 5 silkies. 3 of them are staying in their coop and sitting very still. They are also making a more high pitched/twittering sound when stroked.

I am worried that they have eaten some ripe St John's wort berries which have grown into their run.

They are around 6 months old. They feel a little thinner than usual.
They are sitting inside and only drinking water or eating when I physically take them outside.
The behavior started with one bird a week ago, followed by a second 2 days ago and a new one today.
There is no sign of injury - although it is hot at the moment, we are mid heat wave 30C most days. But they have access to water and shade.
Their poop looks normal.

Any help really appreciated. I've only had them 6 weeks and my kids and I adore them.

If it is poisoning from berries what can I do?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

3 of them are staying in their coop and sitting very still. They are also making a more high pitched/twittering sound when stroked.

They feel a little thinner than usual.
They are sitting inside and only drinking water or eating when I physically take them outside.

It sounds like your Silkies are broody to me. If they feel thinner than usual and they are not sitting on fertile eggs (your not planning on hatching eggs), it would be a good idea to break their broodiness before they lose condition.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/broody-breaker-when-hens-mood-to-hatch/

 

[Zedlister]

It sounds like your Silkies are broody to me. If they feel thinner than usual and they are not sitting on fertile eggs (your not planning on hatching eggs), it would be a good idea to break their broodiness before they lose condition.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/broody-breaker-when-hens-mood-to-hatch/

Thanks so much. They aren't sitting on eggs at the mo. But I think it might be heat exhaustion. It's been a two month heatwave and is above 30C - tomorrow looks set to be the hottest day in the south of England EVER! Wow. Have given silkies lots of shade, frozen veg and electrolyte water. Fingers crossed.

 

[coach723]

They don't have to have eggs to sit on if broody. They will sit on an empty nest, if that's all they have. Their internal workings tell them to 'sit' so they sit. I don't have silkies, but I know as a breed they are known for being good broodies, so if that's the case, you will likely have to break them every time unless you want to let them hatch eggs. I have a broody that I have to break every summer several times, sometimes only a week or two after just being broken. I only let her sit once a year or every other year, it's hard on them especially in hot weather as they don't eat and drink well. While the term 'breaking them' sounds bad, it's not, and it's easier on them than a long term sit with no results.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks so much. They aren't sitting on eggs at the mo. But I think it might be heat exhaustion. It's been a two month heatwave and is above 30C - tomorrow looks set to be the hottest day in the south of England EVER! Wow. Have given silkies lots of shade, frozen veg and electrolyte water. Fingers crossed.

As @coach723 pointed out, they do not have to have eggs under them for them to sit in a nest. They can be broody and decide they are going to just sit on the floor.

If you feel it heat exhaustion, then take them from the boxes to a cooler area and make sure they have plenty of fresh cool water. If you take them from the boxes and they immediately want to return to the boxes for sitting, then likely they are broody.

30C is 86F, while that may be hot in England, chickens should be able to tolerate those temperatures well with shade and fresh water.

 

[Zedlister]

Thanks for the comments - you were right they were broody! Now back out in the garden - the sit in is over.