- Apr 20, 2010
- 6
- 0
- 7
Hi
So in our zeal to start backyard chickening we picked up an 8 month old Easter Egger hen at a local flea market. Having no prior experience with chickens we really didnt know what normal chicken behavior was. Our hen (with us for three days now) is very docile, maybe even lethargic. If you put her on the ground she takes a couple steps, then lies down or stands still and makes no attempt to run away if you pick her up. She will not eat but is drinking water, as has some whitish caking on her tailfeathers that I assume must be diarrhea. Ive also noticed some periods of mouth breathing/labored breathing. She has yet to lay an egg. Weight seems OK. I thought perhaps she was just stressed by the new environment.
At any rate, we got two more hens (a white rock and a red star) from a more reputable source and the difference between them is huge. The new hens are curious, alert, peck at everything, found their roost right away etc
Weve keep the new hens away from the first, changed the bedding, food/water and the sick one is being quarantined in the shed. Any ideas as to what could be wrong and how to treat? The only thing weve done is add a little DE to her bedding and food (that she wont touch).
So in our zeal to start backyard chickening we picked up an 8 month old Easter Egger hen at a local flea market. Having no prior experience with chickens we really didnt know what normal chicken behavior was. Our hen (with us for three days now) is very docile, maybe even lethargic. If you put her on the ground she takes a couple steps, then lies down or stands still and makes no attempt to run away if you pick her up. She will not eat but is drinking water, as has some whitish caking on her tailfeathers that I assume must be diarrhea. Ive also noticed some periods of mouth breathing/labored breathing. She has yet to lay an egg. Weight seems OK. I thought perhaps she was just stressed by the new environment.
At any rate, we got two more hens (a white rock and a red star) from a more reputable source and the difference between them is huge. The new hens are curious, alert, peck at everything, found their roost right away etc
Weve keep the new hens away from the first, changed the bedding, food/water and the sick one is being quarantined in the shed. Any ideas as to what could be wrong and how to treat? The only thing weve done is add a little DE to her bedding and food (that she wont touch).
