Sick chicken

[Scottishnewbie]

I've had a search but can't find an answer to my query. We got some new POL's a couple of weeksago and all have been laying well. One of our girls was really poorly yesterday - just lying around, no energy, eyes closed, and didnt appear to be eating or drinking, so we kind of thought that when we opened up the coop this morning she'd be dead.

She wasn't thank goodness and although still apparently poorly, she did seem a wee bit brighter though didnt want to come out the coop. We put some chick crumbs and water in beside her and about half an hour ago we found her in the nest box with an egg under her - presumably hers although it was cold so could have been anyone's. (She has definately laid today as we had an egg per chicken).

Anyway (sorry for being so long winded but wanted to provide the full story!), the egg that she was sitting on was fine, the right shape, shell hard and not too large but it had dried egg yolk on it as well.

I am thinking that maybe what was wrong with her was that she had an egg that maybe got stuck yesterday? If so, would that be what happened today? And what should I do to help her - does she even need anymore help?

Oh, I nearly forgot, we smeared some vaseline around her duct last night as I found something on a site that suggested that might be helpful.....

Thanks folks

SN

[Scottishnewbie]

Went down to shut the girls in a wee while ago and found one of the girlies lying on her back...dead. Can only assume it was our sick girl though it seems strange that she had had enough strength to lay an egg and get herself out and about for her then to lie on her back (didn't even know that they could lie on their backs) and die.

Poor lass

[frias]

That's really sad. I've no idea why she died but (((((big hugs))))) anyway.

[Scottishnewbie]

Thanks frias. I'm sad too, so much blooming heartache with keeping chickens....

[MaureenHall]

So sorry to hear this. Yes there's a lot of heartache keeping chickens, but a lot of joy too. Perhaps your little girl had had an egg stuck and broke on its way out with the next one. She might have had some internal damage from broken shell that might have caused internal bleeding or shock. I'm only thinking aloud here and speculating as to what might have happened - it might have not been anything like that at all. Anyway, chickens keep their symptoms to themselves when they're not well and more often than not we're just too late to do anything about it. Big hugs hun xxxx

[HayleyB]

aaawww, sorry SN bit of a shock - a youngster chook going, real shame

[RichmondHens]

It's just possible she was egg-bound. They can still lay but have so many other eggs "building up" behind that it all becomes too much.
I had a bantam pullet drop down dead suddenly one morning a couple of years back - she came out of the house ok when I let them all out and ran around with the others. She had been laying regularly up to that day. An hour later we found her dead in the yard. My husband did a PM and said all looked normal apart from a huge number of eggs in various stages of formation.

[Flummery]

Sorry to hear about your chicken. I must rush out and count mine now!

[sheena]

My heart goes out to you scottish, I know exactly how you feel.
I'm currently nursing one of mine and although I said I would never get attached to the girl's I have to admit it's easily done.

I sat here and read your thread, and have to admit i'm now a sobbing wreck.
(((hugs)))