roo all beat up and hen won't move right now.. update this morning

[wildorchid053]

i know it sounds like we aren't taking care of them but i fell and have hardly been able to walk so i haven't seen them for a couple of weeks.. they haven't been outside in about 3 weeks the snow is too deep.. so i don't think they got something from outside.... hubby has been feeding and cleaning them. ok got to go check on her in her box.. bbl

 

[easttxchick]

Hopefully roo just needs to be babied a bit this evening and will OK in the morning with just a few battlescars.
She is eating which is good. Hopefully warming her up will make her feel better. Maybe she was ruffled up because she was cold?

 

[emys]

It doesn't seem to me like you haven't been taking care of them. You seem very concerned for them now. I'm sure you know sometimes chickens can go downhill quickly without showing any signs before hand. Worms might be one guess. Does she seem a little thin?

 

[redhen]

Quote:
no one thinks that you havent been taking care of them hun!! No way! this type of stuff happens to us ALL..

I hope you can get your girl to eat something...

does she seem egg bound? swollen vent?
is her crop all squishy? or just empty?

 

[wildorchid053]

no she feels fine..sort of at a loss.. i guess i need to wait till morning to see.. will try to water and feed her all night.. roo seems ok.. he is in the family room .. ...and she is in the dining room now in the dark...wish me luck..

 

[emys]

And if your husband is anything like most - he didn't believe it was serious - no blood. My husband didn't think it was any big deal when one of my hens who is usally first in line for food didn't want to eat. Turned out her crop was impacted! I got her all cleared up, but he wouldn't have done anything for a few more days...sigh.

Don't be too hard on him. He has his strengths - hen empathy probably isn't one of them. He has also been distracted by your troubles.

 

[easttxchick]

Don't you feel bad at all! You could be living in the coop with them and this kind of stuff happens!
I just hope YOU and they are all OK.
Just keep us posted and I wish I had an answer for you.
Now you go get a blankie and some hot cocoa and put your feet up!

 

[emys]

Final thought - those 2 roosters may have been making things difficult for all the chickens for a few days. Giving each other the evil eye and chasing each other around. Still could just be stress with the hen?

 

[farmin'chick]

Sometimes when one of my birds is stressed they like to eat baby food (chick starter) for a few days...I offer them free choice of their regular food and starter -- Birds aren't people, but they sure can react to stress...I had one little hen die grieving over her little friend hen's death. They were best friends, together all the time. The little one crawled up under a group of birds when it started turning cold and got smothered. The remaining one started drooping more each day, quit eating -- and finally just gave up. So, maybe it's just stress from the fighting roos and your little hen will be fine in a few days. Warm is definitely good, dark is definitely good, special food is definitely good -- but if you stay up all night trying to get her to eat, you won't have the energy to deal with them tomorrow.

 

[Terri O]

Agreed---for you to be at your best tomorrow to help them you must get a good night's sleep! Dont worry...they will be fine! As long as they are warm and dry you have taken care of the most important part. Go to bed; all will look better in the morning light! TErri O in WI