Think one of my ex battery chooks is poorly...??

[mew]

Hi all
Picked up my first 3 ex battery chooks on Saturday.

2 are doing well but Im a bit concerned about one (Mo). She doesnt seem to be eating or drinking much at all and is being bullied a bit by one too. She just wants to sit or stand around.

Is this normal behaviour after such an unheaval? The other two girls are eating and drinking plenty.

Any suggestions? I really dont want to lose her after just 3 days of picking her up, it would be such a shame as she seems such a lovely character too.

Thanks

MEW

[lsm1066]

She might be absolutely fine and just in a bit of shock, but just in case, try feeling her crop. If it's a bit like jelly, she needs the vet. My lot had a dose of chook tonic when they first arrived and they all seem to be fine, although they'll be getting a second dose (along with a monthly dose of worming medicine) tomorrow.
Lynne

[Teasal]

Unfortunately, when you get the ex battery hens there is no guarantee of how long them will live. One of mine looked ok - apart from the lack of feathers - and the day I let them out for the first time, she stood in the hen hole doorway and dropped dead. I have been fortunate with mine, but a lot of people have told me they lost one or two out of a batch ....when you think what they go through, its not really surprising.

But looking on the bright side, it is a big upheavel for them and a complete change to what they are used to, so your hen may just be a bit overcome by everything and will be fine. You are feeding them layers mash I take it? Thats all they have been used to, and it took my hens a long time before they would eat mixed corn!! As to the bullying, this is what they do to get the pecking order sorted, but I have noticed the other hens do tend to pick on one thats a bit under the weather.

[mew]

Thanks

Well the update is we checked her crop this morning and it was definitely still up. MOH sat and gently rubbed her neck this morning and thankfully its gone down now.

She seemed a bit brighter but she still wont eat anything. Shes got a choice of layers mash, layers pellets, corn, cabbage leaves, we even tried some cooked spaghetti but all to no avail. We rang the BHWT where we had them from and they said if shes sitting down frequently and ruffling her feathers alot and trying to sleeps then shes pretty much given up and theres no a lot we can do but it may be shes just taking a little longer to adjust and may be fine. She does seem to be quiet but seems to be standing more than sitting, I havent really seen her sitting with ruffled feathers I dont think and MOH (he was at home with this morning) said she was sunbathing on her side with her leg cocked out and wing opened up.

Really dont know what else to do. Ive been told to try some tinned sweetcorn so will try that when I get home.

Fingers crossed she'll come good but i have my doubts.

Any further ideas or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

MEW

[Baymair]

One thing they find hard to resist is melon. Plus, when I've had a poorly one refusing to eat, if she's still drinking then try & dissolve some honey in her water. Sometimes it just gives them enough of a boost to carry on. If desperate then you could try syringing some honey/water mix into her, but that's a last resort.

Out of my 6 ex-batteries that arrived last month, one died within a couple of weeks with heart failure, and another has had treatment for repeated abscesses. They don't have much of an immune system, so all the fresh air and dirt can sometimes just be a bit overwhelming for them physically. I tend to bring them into my house to keep warm and away from any bullying, if you've got a downstairs loo or somewhere quiet & warm to keep her it might help.

[mew]

Thanks for all your replies. Well the good news is that she seems a lot brighter. Last night she was out in the run scratching and pecking at corn on the floor, drinking and even sunbathing in the day.

Dot and Flo went to bed and when I went outside to close the pop hole around 9pm Mo (the one whose been poorly) was still out in the run feeding and scratching around. When she finally went to bed I checked on them around 10pm and she had jumped on the perch and snuggled up to Dot. Its the first time since weve had her that she has done this, always choosing to sleep on the floor.

This morning she was straight out with the other two girls scratching around and eating so fingers crossed she's starting to settle in a little now.

When I get chance i'll post some pics.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

MEW xx

[Ratty]

That's great news Mew. I hope she goes from strength to strength. Please do try to post pics soon.

[Teasal]

So pleased she seems a little perkier. Maybe she was just upset with the upheaval of moving homes - although I am sure she will realise that where she is now is so much better. What a lucky girl to have all that choice of food .....maybe the thought of having a choice was a bit much for her as well!!!