LH: Oh how I wish you were having one of your sleepless nights my friend. Not because I wish for you to have a sleepless night, but because if you were, I could call you and pick your brain and cry on your shoulder. But, alas. You slumber now.
No, she won't touch a thing. Just stands there with her eyes closed. You'd think she was sleeping except that she cocks her head this way and that as though she were intently listening to everything around her. She opens her eyes from time to time and they are clear and bright.
But I know my little friend. And I know she is not right at all. Something is terribly wrong.
She has expelled a clear fluid tonight, but that is it. No poop. No signs of a malformed egg. Tira has not laid anything resembling a normal egg in a long time. I've known that she has egg laying issues for several months but nothing that has stopped her from having a good and full life. Remember, she is my girl that frequently lays the shell-less egg. But, her abdomen is not swollen or tight, as one would expect if she were egg bound or suffering an infection [i.e. peritonitis].
For all other intents and purposes, she's the picture of health. Feathers are bright and full, as are her eyes. The only symptoms are the clear discharge earlier this evening, the lethargy, the droopy wings, and a body temperature that seems too low to me. Her comb and wattles are nice and bright red. I just don't get it! What is ailing her?
LH, if you or anyone else has a clue as to what might be wrong, please, please let me know! And maybe send up a little prayer for my sweet little friend. Every little bit helps, ya know?
Oh, and to top it all off......During evening roll call, I discovered that Mama GeeGee is missing. I've searched high and low with a high power flashlight and can't find so much as a feather of her. This is turning into the night from Hell! Where could that girl be?!? I sure hope she's just hiding and will show up in the morning.