Second sick hen

[azygous]

That behavior suggests an egg issue. When I have a hen doing that, especially late in the day, I give her a calcium tablet and leave her in the nest overnight.

This is typical behavior when an egg, usually a shell-less one, is hanging up. These late day eggs often end up falling out of the hen during the night from the roosting perch, and then it's too late to know which hen is in need of calcium treatment.

So take advantage of this situation and treat this hen proactively.

 

[ZedikerStation]

That behavior suggests an egg issue. When I have a hen doing that, especially late in the day, I give her a calcium tablet and leave her in the nest overnight.

This is typical behavior when an egg, usually a shell-less one, is hanging up. These late day eggs often end up falling out of the hen during the night from the roosting perch, and then it's too late to know which hen is in need of calcium treatment.

So take advantage of this situation and treat this hen proactively.

I'm heading up to the coop now. I'll use the Calcium Citrate you suggested for the other hen in quarantine. It is powder, how much for an egg?

 

[azygous]

You will need to give her 500 to 600 mg.

 

[ZedikerStation]

You will need to give her 500 to 600 mg.

That's going to be quite a treat. I'll put it in some bread...

 

[ZedikerStation]

That's going to be quite a treat. I'll put it in some bread...

She got most of 600mg. I'd say 500mg. She was not really interested in the bread, but finally ate most of it. She was standing in the nest box. If you recall, the other 2 would only stand on the roost all night. At this point I'm hoping for egg bound, as the others did not fair well. Uggh!!

 

[azygous]

All you can do is wait and see what's in that nest in the morning.

Something we've not discussed is the lifestyle of your flock. How much time would you say your chickens spend on activities outside in the direct sunlight? Cooped up birds are likely to have more reproductive issues due to limited exposure to sunlight and vitamin D, and lack of exercise contributes to poor calcium absorption.

 

[ZedikerStation]

All you can do is wait and see what's in that nest in the morning.

Something we've not discussed is the lifestyle of your flock. How much time would you say your chickens spend on activities outside in the direct sunlight? Cooped up birds are likely to have more reproductive issues due to limited exposure to sunlight and vitamin D, and lack of exercise contributes to poor calcium absorption.

Their door opens at sunrise everyday. They have a 20 x 20 run with a swing, stumps, stacked large branches to climb on, and a tee pee to go in to, as well as a large covered dust bath.

 

[azygous]

You've done your part, but do they actually get off their little feathered asses and go outside and exercise?

 

[ZedikerStation]

You've done your part, but do they actually get off their little feathered asses and go outside and exercise?

Unless it is below 25*, then they stay inside. We even had to shovel a path for them this year. Lots of snow, but nowhere near what you call snow, I'm sure!!!

They also can't wait for 4PM everyday. They stand on that bench in the run and stare at the house. That's when they get out everyday. It's like they have a clock up there. They go in at dark on their own. They used to be 100% free range until the hawks found them. I figure they would rather be in the run than dead....

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The one in the sling if she doesn't want to be on her feet, I would suspect the pressure of her weight is painful.
If it started out as Salpingitis, she may have lash material in her abdomen and it's pressing on nerves.
It's not uncommon for birds that have reproductive disorders to become lame or immobile. If you lose her, a necropsy would give you answers.

Hopefully the hen in the coop will feel better soon - I too suspect she's trying to pass an egg.