Babs

[HayleyB]

Named after the one in Chicken Run cause she was one of the fatter hens and with almost as much feathers as Dawn (French).

Fell ill a few days ago thought she may be eggbound so tried as per the Carmen thread but it can't be that or she would have kicked the bucket by now. I've used louse powder and red mite powder but there's no signs of those anyway.

She's eating and drinking (using spice and a water booster). It's just that she looks depressed. She's roosting a lot and sleeping a lot her feathers fluffed and tail down and comb seems light in colour compared to the others. She's quiet but there's nothing that points to what is wrong. This morning she seemed brighter but this afternoon back to depressed Babs. Can it be depression

[Suechooks]

She could be starting a moult given the time of year. Is she an ex-bat? They seem to take it quite badly. Mine seem to go a bit off for a few days and then back to normal. Lots of tlc and chooky cuddles! Good luck

[HayleyB]

Thanks Sue she is ex-bat as they are all, rescued 2 weeks ago. She's getting lots of attention but I'm having to be a bit careful as the others started to get a little jealous, my DD is spending a lot of time with her as well. I wondered about moult but her back and head are well covered and she's not losing any. She's literally bi-polar in a few hours, up down, up down. Will just bide time methinks.

[Suechooks]

Just thought - she could be just off-lay as this is another thing I've noticed with mine (released from hell in January this year). I think they're so used to pushing one out each day and having light for heaven only knows how many hours a day that living in normal conditions may be causing her stress as well as feeling uncomfortable. I'm sure she'll get used to being a normal hen soon. Chin up Babs!

[Bephlam]

If all else fails you can get some poultry prozac!

[frias]

My first thought was Babs might be a bit agoraphobic. However if she was OK the first week you rescued her but not now, it doesn't seem likely. Is she being bullied perhaps?
Hopefully someone with more experience will be along soon.

[MaureenHall]

Think she must be feeling like me these days, get up full of enthusiasm but it soon wears off I'm just soooooooooooooooooo cold I can't concentrate on doing anything worthwhile at all, think I'll just go and hibernate till about April. Oh no, can't do that either, who'll look after the chooks!!!!

[frias]

Aah yes, what happened to those lovely lie ins under a warm duvet? I set 2 alarms now to get me up just to let the girls out. They never want a lie in.

[Bephlam]

That's the only thing I don't like about having the girls - the early morning wake up. I head out in my jammies, with my wellies....open the pophole...then RUN FULL FORCE back to bed!!! It's soooooo cold in the morning now, it kills me getting up and heading out in it!

Still, I feel too guilty not to get up and let them out! They're always so excited about the day ahead!

[BrideXIII]

That's the only thing I don't like about having the girls - the early morning wake up. I head out in my jammies, with my wellies....open the pophole...then RUN FULL FORCE back to bed!!! It's soooooo cold in the morning now, it kills me getting up and heading out in it!

Still, I feel too guilty not to get up and let them out! They're always so excited about the day ahead!

can't you rig up a pulley systen and run the string to your bedroom window would save getting out of bed.

[Bephlam]

can't you rig up a pulley systen and run the string to your bedroom window would save getting out of bed.

Oh why didn't I think of that!! My bedroom is at the front of the cottage, so it's gonna be some pulley system, but it's worth a try!!

You're sooo clever Bride!!

[HayleyB]

Girls are not happy today they tried to escape when I went in cause they're so used to going out and having a run and scratch around the yard but it's too horrible today. So in revenge they (6 or 7 of them) stood around me and pecked my boots instead, while I filled their feeders. Babs had a bit of food wandered around and then roosted on a chair strut. Definitely think she's off-lay or moult or just winter blues.