Hi, Guys.
Last night we noticed that Stella, a five-year old silver Appleyard hen was moving slow. We see this from time to time, especially if a hen needs to lay, but our flock almost always lays early am. She ate and drank before being put in last night, although not with her normal vigor. This morning she stayed in the run when everyone else was let out. I did see a pretty big all white poop. She then took herself down to the lower field (away from the flock/not like her) and tucked up under the comfrey against the fence line. We picked her up and felt for an egg and checked her over. Nothing. When we put her down, she went to flap her wings (gotta get rid of that human stink!), and she could only just raise them slightly. Over the next hour she has sluggishly made her way to the flock, and is slowly following them around. She's foraging a little and drinking when we bring the bucket to her. We observed one more white poop. She is always standing (not sitting), and she still looks uncomfortable. She *maybe* looks like she is very occasionally bearing down, but not even close to what we've seen in other girls who need to pass an egg. I'll post a video when I get inside, but any advice is appreciated.
Last night we noticed that Stella, a five-year old silver Appleyard hen was moving slow. We see this from time to time, especially if a hen needs to lay, but our flock almost always lays early am. She ate and drank before being put in last night, although not with her normal vigor. This morning she stayed in the run when everyone else was let out. I did see a pretty big all white poop. She then took herself down to the lower field (away from the flock/not like her) and tucked up under the comfrey against the fence line. We picked her up and felt for an egg and checked her over. Nothing. When we put her down, she went to flap her wings (gotta get rid of that human stink!), and she could only just raise them slightly. Over the next hour she has sluggishly made her way to the flock, and is slowly following them around. She's foraging a little and drinking when we bring the bucket to her. We observed one more white poop. She is always standing (not sitting), and she still looks uncomfortable. She *maybe* looks like she is very occasionally bearing down, but not even close to what we've seen in other girls who need to pass an egg. I'll post a video when I get inside, but any advice is appreciated.
