- Aug 10, 2009
- 14
- 4
- 82
I have a flock of 9 free-range chickens all a little over a year old. They get locked up in the coop at night and have access to oyster shell, lay pellets, and water. They're friendly and are handled regularly.
My husband and I got home pretty late last night and all the chickens we're in their home on the roost before we locked them up for the night. This morning when I let them all out, 7 of the chickens eagerly ran out (like normal), but two chickens stayed inside (not normal).
One of the chickens (A Dominique) was laying down on the roosting perch and seemed sort of listless. Her eyes were open, but she seemed to be breathing slowly. The other chicken (A Delaware) was standing on the perch. Neither chicken seemed to want to move.
I checked them over and can't find any scratches or wounds on them. I got the Delaware to eat a bit of warm milk and oatmeal. But she ate very, very slowly (maybe a few bites every few minutes). The Dominique would eat oatmeal and pureed butternut squash if I put a little on my finger, but I couldn't get her to eat/drink out of a little container.
A few hours a go when I went out to the coop the Delaware was drinking water, but still looking very still and not really wanting to move. The Dominique is now laying on the floor in the coop and is refusing any food at all. The rest of the chickens are out actively foraging and seem bright and perky.
Does anyone have any ideas how I can help them or what I should do? I feel so helpless.
Thanks.
My husband and I got home pretty late last night and all the chickens we're in their home on the roost before we locked them up for the night. This morning when I let them all out, 7 of the chickens eagerly ran out (like normal), but two chickens stayed inside (not normal).
One of the chickens (A Dominique) was laying down on the roosting perch and seemed sort of listless. Her eyes were open, but she seemed to be breathing slowly. The other chicken (A Delaware) was standing on the perch. Neither chicken seemed to want to move.
I checked them over and can't find any scratches or wounds on them. I got the Delaware to eat a bit of warm milk and oatmeal. But she ate very, very slowly (maybe a few bites every few minutes). The Dominique would eat oatmeal and pureed butternut squash if I put a little on my finger, but I couldn't get her to eat/drink out of a little container.
A few hours a go when I went out to the coop the Delaware was drinking water, but still looking very still and not really wanting to move. The Dominique is now laying on the floor in the coop and is refusing any food at all. The rest of the chickens are out actively foraging and seem bright and perky.
Does anyone have any ideas how I can help them or what I should do? I feel so helpless.
Thanks.
