The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Pomona on November 02, 2010, 10:20:13 am
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I'm concerned about one of my hens, Murdina and would appreciate some reassurance/advice.
She's going through her moult just now (poor things, what a time of year to do it :( ) and I noticed yesterday that she seems unsteady on her legs - like she's being caught in a strong side wind and is leaning into it. Although, if she thinks I'm going to pick her up she can break into a trot.
Her crop's fine, her eyes bright and alert, she's "chatty", and her (single remaining) tail feather is up. She's very hunched up and spends most of the day sheltering. I haven't seen her drinking, but I've been putting out some chopped tomatoes and sprinkling some poultry spice on it, and she's eating mealworm and corn. She just seems very woebegone and sorry for herself.
Am I fretting over nothing and is her general demeanour/unsteadiness just to do with the moult? Is there anything else I can do? :-\
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one of mine, Maude, is going through similar. She's practically bald now and spends her days sheltering, shivering and looking quite rough.
I think if she can break into a trot then she's probably ok?
I have a specially made chook tabbard on its way to me, ordered it on ebay from a lovely lady. will post pics of maude modelling it when it arrives ;D
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How old is Murdina? They can get a bit wobbly on their legs as they get old, and the moult can just be the last straw. Give her lots of TLC and keep her cosy. Some of mine looked horrible during the worst of the moult but they have perked up no end now their feathers are covering them again - just a couple left to go.
Looking forward to seeing Maude's new tabard - can imagine the hens on Chicken Run knitting away to fill your order :D
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Just to say I became more concerned this afternoon when she could barely walk, so I took her to the vets. Who was a bit nonplussed as chickens don't often appear in his surgery.
Anyway, she has a temp of 107 so there's obviously an infection. She got a jab of antibiotics and a steroid/anti-inflammatory. I've got her inside in a dog-carrier thing, and keeping her quiet and calm. Prognosis isn't great apparently, with a temp that high, so it'll be a case of touch and go over the next few days :-\
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Poor thing, good luck to her, hope she gets better soon.
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Hi
Just catching up and saw your post, sounds like an ear infection. All of my girls went through a really heavy moult this year - which does make them vunerable to colds and chills, one caught an ear infection from who knows where - I knew there was some thing not right because she leaned over to the left looked lopsided , she was as good as new after a visit to the vets and anti - biotics jab. I did keep her in so she was away from the cold and drafts.
Hope your bird gets well soon