[ambriel]

Found one of our hens looking very sorry for herself this morning, when I opened up the henhouse; not moving, comb down.

I immediately put her into solitary in a box in the kitchen with plenty of food and water.

She's still looking poorly but at least she's still breathing, and none of the others are showing any signs of joining her.

[Beewyched]

Is she eating or drinking anything?

[Castle Farm]

I bet someone suggests worming her .

Is she leaking from behind?, suspect egg peritonitis. Liver/kidney damage due to feeding layers pellets.

[Beewyched]

I bet someone suggests worming her .

Is she leaking from behind?, suspect egg peritonitis. Liver/kidney damage due to feeding layers pellets.

Layers cause organ damage 

[ambriel]

Yes there does appear to be a small amount of leakage. I put it down to runny poo.

They get fed good quality layer pellets as well as having free range access to the garden.

Doesn't appear to have taken any food or water.

I've just had a quick Google on the topic of egg peritonitis and it doesn't sound very good. Would it be better if I put her out of her misery now?

[ambriel]

Well she hung in there till this morning but sadly our dear little Speckles is no more.

[Beewyched]

Oh bless her, it's so sad when they go that way.  You did the best for her.

[princesspiggy]

[/quote]

Layers cause organ damage 
[/quote]

really...?...

[Beewyched]

Layers cause organ damage 
[/quote]

really...?...
[/quote]

Was hoping Castle Farm would come back on this one.

[doganjo]

I'd like an explanation too as mine have always been fed on layers pellets - they are layers after all.

[Beewyched]

Going to do some research on this, as have always given mine layers pellets - organic of course  in feeders in their housing, they don't eat loads as they free-range all over the holding.  I don't I give them grit either (unless they are running in temporary "breeding pens" for a few months).

Never knew giving layers could make them poorly 

[northfifeduckling]

That's the reason why there is on most manufacturer's packaging a guideline on how much pellets in weight per bird per day. Boys should not eat them at all as the high protein can give them kidney damage. Girls can also get egg bound which is fatal at times. My regime is wheat ad lib and pellets rather less than what it says on the bag and only in the morning...

Ambriel, so sorry you lost your Speckles 

[ambriel]

Thanks, it's par for the course when you have livestock though. She was a very friendly little hen.

I was concerned about the reference to layer pellets, too.

Our girls (and boy) are fed layer pellets but also have free access to half an acre of crazing (the bits that the pigs haven't reduced to looking like the Somme, that is).

I'd hate to think I'd brought on the condition in her.

[deepinthewoods]

   ???how are you supposed to stop a cockerel eatin layers pellets then. i cant imagine mine being stopped from doin anything to be honest. but he is a beauty and id hate to lose him throuh him tuckin in to the layers the girls get.

[northfifeduckling]

I have no idea...our cockerel has a go every now and then (mainly to show the girls that there's food I think) but the drakes won't touch the pellets, they must have some instict.