Author Topic: A sudden change to a chirpy hen (Read 1918 times)

jt5824 · « **on:** August 26, 2010, 06:26:27 pm »

Hello,

I have two bantum leghorns, one of which was suddenly a different hen this morning when we let her out.

She is barely moving and has been sleeping on the spot, when she does move it is slow and deliberate, she has a purple tinge to her coombe which is also floppy, her ears (?) which are usualy white are alluminous yellow and her legs look cracked (I see them every day and have not noticed this before), her head is not standing perkily and tail feathers/ ploom are not poitning upwards.

I change their bedding everyother day, they are given grit, vitamin powder (spice ?) and apple cider and I pick their poo up everyday or so.

I hate seeing her like this and would really appreciate any advice.

Jusitna

doganjo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2010, 06:35:13 pm »

Have you checked if she has mites or lice? If she is get some spray on her as soon as possible. Is she eating/drinking? You probably should be prepared that you might lose her.

little blue · « **Reply #2 on:** August 26, 2010, 08:08:51 pm »

Quote from: jt5824 on August 26, 2010, 06:26:27 pm

her legs look cracked (I see them every day and have not noticed this before)

Are the scales pushed upwards?
could be scaley leg mite... google it and chose the most appealing treatment!

jt5824 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2010, 08:26:34 pm »

Hello,

The scales look as if they've come away and rubbed up in places, I will google Scaley Leg mite - thank-you.

I will have a good look tomorrow to see if she has mites/ lice and will purchase spray as required. She has been eating....I haven't seen her drink altho I may have missed her.

I also forgot to add to the list of strange things that she seems puffed up...twice her usual size.

Thank-you for your time and advice.
JT

CameronS · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2010, 08:38:02 pm »

it could be her feathers puffed up, suggesting skin irritation

hopefulluy everything goes well ,it's hard to loose one of two

Mo · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2010, 07:21:31 am »

The colour of her comb might suggest she is not getting enough oxygen, I'd suggest you check her crop. I know you said she's eating but it may be a build up there.
If you're not sure she's drinking try and make her take some water.
Do you know if she has laid lately? If she's puffed up she could be egg bound? Is it her abdomen that's swollen?
Whilst you're looking up about scaly leg mite treatments, try rubbing some vaseline into her scales for the time being.
You say you pick up the poo everyday - check hers out, it's often the poo that tells you what might be wrong.
I'm not an expert, it's just that I've had a sickly chick and done quite a bit of research just lately