Poorly hen :(

Maria · Poorly hen :(

Don't know what to do with her. She looks miserable! She didn't seem herself when i came home and moved them to their smaller coop to get some fresh grass. She was slower than usual...and after about 30 mins in there had her head tucked in and her bum very low. After panicked call to FMN have put tepid water out so she can bathe her backside...and encouraged her to use it. There was a soft shelled egg in the coop this morning...not near the nest box...so it could be she's trying to pass the rest

Confused and not sure how to help her more.

They're back in the bigger pen now...and after not wanting much to do with bathing, or food or drink...has made her way into the nest box.

Any idea's please?

Smooth Hound

all i can suggest is making sure she has fresh water within reach, maybe worms would tempt her, have a look under bits of wood and rocks , see if you can see some

Maria

Thanks SH.

Just followed advice from magic Sass - and she's passed an egg (hen not Sass

), insides then soft shell. All hens have gone to bed now - so crossing everything that it was the soft shell coming out that was the prob...and that she's ok in the morning.

I've been putting grit down for them - yet still had 6 soft shelled eggs in the two months of having them. Any suggestions to help so it doesn't happen again....not sure i can cope with the gushing vent too often.

JoH

A teaspoon of cider vinegar in their drinking water. And a powder I used to add to mine...I've forgotten the name but will look in the morning and report back

Smooth Hound

now its touch wood time, cross your fingers

Maria

Crossing everything for the poor lil' might. She's usually the biggest bossiest one....very much top of the pecking order...but she looked so forlorne earlier...shuffled off into a corner with her head tucked in and her bum hanging low.

With luck all will be well in the morning - and she'll be close to crowing again when she greets me in the morn. Thinking positive now...and grabbing a hot toddy...had a manic day...hence the hot toddy...for medicinal reasons only you understand.

Smooth Hound

bit of advise,

if in the morning or later all is not well

hopefully it will be

but just supposing, have a plan, make no fuss, say oh well bury her and then put a wee cross up. and then leave it.

thinking of the kids , when i say this

Maria

All was well this morning...she came out her usual crowing bossy self. She's eating, drinking and generally ruling the roost. Her vent not quite as usual...but i guess that'll be the oil and her straining yesterday to pass the darn soft shell. Think we got off lightly!

Sassinak

I am so pleased that it worked for her.

Well done Maria - very brave of you haha

wildgarlic

That's great news Maria - well done you.

Smooth Hound