Question?? Please Someone Answer!

[pippsqueak]

If I have 17 week old chick that might have issues with their reproductive system what should I be looking for? Is it normal for them to want to sit all the time if they might start laying?? Any answers help???

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
I think what your possibly dealing with is that they are starting/trying to lay an egg. This is a new experience for them and it will take time for them to adjust their innards to get used to laying. The first few times are the toughest for them, it is normal for this to happen. You can expect small eggs at first, but they will get bigger as time goes by. You might see mishapen eggs and soft shelled eggs as well, til they get adjusted.

 

[stargirl]

If she's trying to lay, I'd expect her to be somewhere secluded and shady. Not necessarily her nesting box, if she hasn't figured that out yet, but under a bush or similar. Is she sitting in one spot or just wherever she is? Is there anything else that makes you think there's a problem?

 

[pippsqueak]

Quote:
Lately she hasn't been herself. Normally she runs around really fast, faster than the others. Shes the smallest of flock and lately she has been walking only a little bit and then wants to lay down. Even when she eats or drinks she is laying. Her legs are out stretched in front of her and not tucked under and she kind of leans to one side. I thought that she might have fallen off the roost and hurt something but, I'm still not sure if she is sick or if this is a normal thing before they begin laying. She lays down wherever, their coop and run is pretty much shaded most of the day.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Lately she hasn't been herself. Normally she runs around really fast, faster than the others. Shes the smallest of flock and lately she has been walking only a little bit and then wants to lay down. Even when she eats or drinks she is laying. Her legs are out stretched in front of her and not tucked under and she kind of leans to one side. I thought that she might have fallen off the roost and hurt something but, I'm still not sure if she is sick or if this is a normal thing before they begin laying. She lays down wherever, their coop and run is pretty much shaded most of the day.

You didnt mention this in your first post. It very well could be and leg problem. If she did it as a chick it could be a genetic issue. If she just started doing it, it might be a vitamin deficiency. In which case I recommend purchasing poultry nutri drench at your feed store and give her a couple of drops orally twice a day for 5 days, then stop...it can cause diarrhea. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals. If you suspect she hurt her leg somehow, it would be best to put her in a cage or crate to get plenty of rest and relaxation, giving time for the injury to heal, preventing further serious injury. You can purchase vitamin B complex tablets and crush a few of them and sprinkle the powder into her feed. It may help her heal quicker. Do this for 5 days then stop to see how she has progressed. Continue with vitamin B complex for another week if necessary then stop. Leg injuries can take anywhere from a week to heal or never...it depends on the severity of the injury. Good luck.

 

[pippsqueak]

Quote:
Lately she hasn't been herself. Normally she runs around really fast, faster than the others. Shes the smallest of flock and lately she has been walking only a little bit and then wants to lay down. Even when she eats or drinks she is laying. Her legs are out stretched in front of her and not tucked under and she kind of leans to one side. I thought that she might have fallen off the roost and hurt something but, I'm still not sure if she is sick or if this is a normal thing before they begin laying. She lays down wherever, their coop and run is pretty much shaded most of the day.

You didnt mention this in your first post. It very well could be and leg problem. If she did it as a chick it could be a genetic issue. If she just started doing it, it might be a vitamin deficiency. In which case I recommend purchasing poultry nutri drench at your feed store and give her a couple of drops orally twice a day for 5 days, then stop...it can cause diarrhea. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals. If you suspect she hurt her leg somehow, it would be best to put her in a cage or crate to get plenty of rest and relaxation, giving time for the injury to heal, preventing further serious injury. You can purchase vitamin B complex tablets and crush a few of them and sprinkle the powder into her feed. It may help her heal quicker. Do this for 5 days then stop to see how she has progressed. Continue with vitamin B complex for another week if necessary then stop. Leg injuries can take anywhere from a week to heal or never...it depends on the severity of the injury. Good luck.

Sorry that I didn't mention this in my post. I posted yesterday with more information and really didn't get much response but, one person mentioned that there might be something wrong with her reproductive system and that there isn't anything you can do about it. I am more wondering if there are symptoms to look for on that matter or if it will kill her. I figured that is she sprained something that she would favor one side over the other and/or limp but, she doesn't seem to do either one. In fact, when my husband opened the coop this morning she ran out hopping around and chasing the other chickens. This afternoon she's laying down again. I've added electrolytes to their water and I have been feeding her yogurt and tried to give her scrambled eggs which she refused but, she ate the yogurt right up. I've been reading in my books and looking on line for symptoms for diseases and illnesses but, she doesn't fit anything to a T, just hoping to get some feedback on what my next steps are. Thanks for the information!

 

[pippsqueak]

So today she won't eat any treats and she normally chases everyone when they get one to try and steal it but, this time she jsut watched them run around and wasn't really interested in anything. She's not laying down nearly as long either. Its not as hot today as yesterday and I was thinking that the heat might have been getting to her but, now I worried that she isn't eating at all. Is it normal for them to refuse treats (especially their favorite ones) when they are getting ready to lay? Of the four she is the only one acting abnormal plus, she's the smallest and at the low end of the pecking order. Please help!

 

[stargirl]

In my experience, this doesn't sound like getting ready to lay. I think there is something else going on with her, but I don't know what.
Would she take treats if you hand fed her?

 

[pippsqueak]

I pretty much always hand feed them but, she turned away like she was almost afraid of it. I'm going to try some yogurt because she never can resist it and hopefully I will get somewhere with her.

 

[stargirl]

good idea! Hope she takes some