[ming]

My daughter collected 4 ex-battery hens on Sunday, and one of them won't get up, won't come outside much, and seems to want to sit down all the time. Vet took a (very) quick look, checked crop and feet, gave painkilling injection, and charged £21  Got home, hen still the same. Has anybody any ideas ?

[tazbabe]

no muscle? used to sitting stillish all day in a wee box, must take it's toll!

poor things, i find it incredible that hens are still farmed this way.

[faith0504]

 i would be tempted just to leave her for a wee while and see if she comes too, it can be very traumatic when they move from battery, it took 2 of my battery hens 10 days to venture out into the big wide world, is she eating and drinking ok? also just keep an eye on none of the others pick on her,

[ming]

Ok many thanks. She looks interested, not puffed up, eyes normal, is pecking around at the grass, just doesn't seem to want to get on her feet. Limps a bit sometimes but not always. She is always the last to come out of the coop. Not sure really how to stop bullying though..but my daughter hasnt seen any.

[faith0504]

some of the others might be able to give you more advice, good luck with her, 

[OhLaLa]

Bless. I suspect she is a bit weak legged having never had the opportunity to move about. Sounds like she is content to sit and watch the world go by and hopefully she will soon begin to strengthen up a bit. If she limps sometimes that supports the theory. She walks about a bit more on the 'good days', and sits the bad days out. Keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn't sit out in the bad weather if the others have made a dash for it, and make sure she gets a tidbit or three.

Best wishes for her.

 

[ming]

Oh that might be it - that sounds right ! Oh thankssss ! 

[Liv]

Hey. I adopted some battery hens a year or so ago and one was alot smaller and looked ready for the oven! They looked fine together but one night a few weeks in the others pecked all of her new almost feathers! We think it was down to her having blood where her new feathers came through. I would keep a very close eye on her because chickens can be very cruel! 

[sheila]

There's nothing like a small soluble asprin, some warm porridge and wrapping in an old towel thats been warmed in the microwave.
I think I would like that too!

[faith0504]

now i could do with some of that, sounds just the job 

[sheardale]

As long as she is eating and drinking, and the other hens arent bothering her, she may be ok.  Make sure her bed is warm.  Good Luck
Helen

[ming]

She recovered and is now fine, many thanks !

[OhLaLa]

That's good news, thanks for letting us know ming.

Best wishes.