Sick Hen

[Verinda]

This morning when I opened up the shed door one hen, Maggie was standing at the back of the shed all fluffed up. She didn't eat anything, just walked slowly down the shed and started drinking a lot of water. Now she is just standing in the run, she's clearly been drinking a lot because her neck is all wet. I'd guess she has a temperature, she seems to be closing her eyes as well. I wonder if I can give her a bit of crushed Panadol? Would that be ok for a hen? I am so new to hen keeping I really don't know. Could she be egg bound I wonder. She's a rescue hen and has been the slowest to grow her feathers back and still has a couple of bald patches while the other three are nearly perfect so perhaps she's never been that healthy although she seemed absolutely fine, if a bit bad tempered, up until this morning. Poor Maggie, I want to help her if I can. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

[Nicos]

Sorry to hear about Maggie.
Panadol??? eeek- I think maybe you should call your vet to answer that one!

She sounds a bit like my chook a couple of months ago- and yes- she was eggbound. It was easy to feel the bulge of the egg as it was intact.
Problem is they seem to respond in almost the same way for loads of different problems - she could be starting with an infection or virus.
Does her breathing sound normal? Are her eyes OK? How is her crop- is it empty in the mornings and full at night?
When did you last worm her- and what with?

( just a few things to check out)

I think maybe you need to do a full check over to see if there is something subtly wrong- if in doubt go to the vet with her.

My gal was closing her eyes too as if she was in pain. It's not easy to know is it?

[Verinda]

Thank you Nicos. I haven't given her any panadol lol but I have a friend who does give her hens panadol when they're sick and they seem to survive it! Yes I'll check her over, she is currently huddled in the kitchen eating a lot of oats and drinking gallons and does seem a bit better. Last night was really cold and I wondered, coming from a very warm crowded barn as she did, if the cold night gave her a chill. She doesn't look as healthy as the others so maybe suffered more from the cold. I haven't had them two months yet and apparently they were wormed before I got them so I haven't wormed them yet. I'd better take a closer look at her now. Many thanks again.

[chris]

What is her poo like?


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[Verinda]

Well it was very runny yesterday. She was so sorry for herself that I let her sleep in the kitchen! She roosted on a stool by the stove and in the morning was a million times better. She started eating again and snoozed in the sun this afternoon and now back in the hen house. Its really cold again though so I hope she's ok. Her poo is much better today thank you!

[Verinda]

I think part of her problem is that she lays the most enormous eggs and often the shell is paper thin or no shell at all. I think it's wearing her out having to make all this shell for the giant eggs. I suppose there's not much I can do to help her with this.

[rustylady]

I think part of her problem is that she lays the most enormous eggs and often the shell is paper thin or no shell at all. I think it's wearing her out having to make all this shell for the giant eggs. I suppose there's not much I can do to help her with this.

Bake and crush eggshells and put in with her feed. She needs the extra calcium.

[Scarlet]

Soft thin shells is very common in eggs that are laid by older birds, especially those which are nearing the end of the laying period.
This shouldn't make her appear ill. I would keep an eye on her.
I know Chris has already asked about her poo, changes in colour and consistency can help diagnosing the problem.
I hope she is a little better? I often have birds having a warm near my Aga but my kids went mad last summer when I had my favourite cockerel in the dining room. It woke them up at 4.30!!

[Verinda]

I will certainly bake and crush the egg shells and give them to her, thank you for the tip.

I will keep an eye on her, she's so much better today, but I do hope she's ok tonight it's so cold again. Thank you, it's good to know thin shells are normal. I'm glad I'm not the only one who brings hens into the house! I had to chuckle about your cockerel waking everyone up at the crack of dawn!

I really hope she's ok tomorrow.

[Glutton4...]

Unfortunately, some Rescue Hens/Ex-Batts seem to suffer some kind of, well, almost Agoraphobia, I guess. It must be like a prisoner who's served a long sentence, and become acclimatised to the incarceration. Some of them just have difficulty adjusting to having their freedom. I always think it's a real shame, as the Chooks deserve some freedom, and a couple of Summers' sun on their backs before they pop off. I see it as a kind of payment for the 'work' they've put in whilst in that awful place.

Hopefully, with a bit of TLC from you, She'll adjust to her freedom. Give her a few tit-bits (grapes, raisins (any fruit, really) mealworms, bacon rind) if you can, that'll help immensely. Some grit in a pot, for them to peck at (oystershell is available in bags, as is limestone flour, at your local country store for that purpose) will help with shell formation, as will baked egg-shells, crushed and added to their food, and a little poultry spice wouldn't harm, either. Hope she's ok.

[Verinda]

She will get lots of TLC from me. I've tried giving them grapes and chopped up pear, blackberries and raspberries but so far they really aren't interested, probably just not used to such treats yet. I live in the back of beyond and haven't seen most of the things you mention for sale here, but I will get some mealworms and try them with raisins and baked egg shells and bacon rind.

I have some fine sand that I give to my budgie, I wonder if a pot of that would be any good for the hens? Many thanks for your help.

One of the hens just wanders off and does her own thing, she seems to have quickly recovered from being imprisoned and all her feathers grew back so quickly, but Maggie, who was sick, her wings still look battered and a bit bald, poor lady.

[Dorothy rouse]

I know nothing about keeping chickens, but am sure yours will be fine, it's sounds as if they are very loved and pampered.

[Verinda]

Thank you Dorothy, yes they are much loved. And thankfully my hen is better today and busy digging up my garden! I'm so glad she's ok. Thank you to everyone for your help and advice, it's been brilliant, I really appreciate it.

[Dorothy rouse]

Oh I'd love to have chickens, just not possible.

[wildinthecountry]

So glad she got better, hope she's still doing well. It's worth getting a list of specialist poultry vets, many of whom will give advice on the phone or by email. Most ordinary vets haven't a clue where chickens are concerned. Victoria Roberts is the expert poultry vet and does an online help service but I believe she charges for this now. VicVet | Victoria Roberts BVSc MRCVS She also has a page in the Poultry section of the Country Smallholding mag, well worth getting.