does this sound like an unwell chicken?

Bells · **Joined:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:29 am **Posts:** 37

Each morning when I take breakfast out to the Girls, I only have to call them and they come racing.

This morning, one of my older girls (she's about 3) didn't appear. I found her sitting up on a roost in the nest, her back to me. I couldn't reach her to see how she felt. She stayed like that all morning before I had to leave for work. No response. Just a slight turn of the head when i called her. The others ate breakfast and still she sat there, still and unresponsive.

The only time they ever stay a long time in the nest is for egg laying - and they sit on straw then - not on a roost. I had to leave her - she's warm and dry so I guess that's something.

I couldn't get close enough to see if there were other symptoms.

Bobkat · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:50 pm

I'm no expert, but maybe she has gone broody? Then she may well sit on the nest and ignore the usual treats. Maybe check on her later and she if she is still there. I have had a couple behave like this, fortunately when I was at home all day. I picked her up, checked her over and couldn't see any other symptoms so assumed it was broodiness. As I was home, I could then take her off the nest several times until she got the idea - and came, late, for the usual feeding.

Let us know if you find other symptoms

Bells · **Joined:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:29 am **Posts:** 37

thanks for that. I was ignoring the broodiness issue because she's sitting on a perch, not on the straw nest where they have been laying eggs for over 2 years. They tend to only roost at night, so it seemed odd that she stayed sitting on the roost for so long without moving.

But perhaps you can be broody without actually sitting in the egg laying section of the nest.....

Bells · **Joined:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:29 am **Posts:** 37

I think we have sorted her out. I got home last night and had a good look at her. Her bottom end was a complete mess. Diarreah, obviously and there apperaed to be eggshell protruding from her vent.

We bathed her in warm water for some time - about half an hour. She was sedate and easy to manage. Once she was clean, my husband held her and I put on rubber gloves and massaged her vent where the soft egg shell was stuck. There were no cuts or tears thankfully, no blood. In due course the shell came out and I believe it's all of it - it came in two pieces.

We kept her in a cage in the laundry overnight so she could dry off and rest. This morning, I'm a little concerned. Her tail is drooped and she won't eat. But she has passed some solid poo which I'm taking as a good sign.

So she's in the cage for the day - I'm not home but will try and leave work early - she's got food and water and she's dry. Does it sound like I've done the right thing?

chooklover101 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 01, 2013 3:40 pm

Bells wrote:

I think we have sorted her out. I got home last night and had a good look at her. Her bottom end was a complete mess. Diarreah, obviously and there apperaed to be eggshell protruding from her vent.

We bathed her in warm water for some time - about half an hour. She was sedate and easy to manage. Once she was clean, my husband held her and I put on rubber gloves and massaged her vent where the soft egg shell was stuck. There were no cuts or tears thankfully, no blood. In due course the shell came out and I believe it's all of it - it came in two pieces.

We kept her in a cage in the laundry overnight so she could dry off and rest. This morning, I'm a little concerned. Her tail is drooped and she won't eat. But she has passed some solid poo which I'm taking as a good sign.

So she's in the cage for the day - I'm not home but will try and leave work early - she's got food and water and she's dry. Does it sound like I've done the right thing?

yeah i think you have done quite well [smilie=a_goodjobson.gif]

-sounds like she had some problems laying the egg( i can't remember what it is called :roll:

).watch her closely as she will be in shock and keep her warm and make sure there is absolutly nothing wrong with her before you put her back with the others

Nice Work! [smilie=a_goodjobson.gif]

Chooklover101
P.S. Watch out and make sure nothing blocks up her vent-there might be some egg shell still in there so look out for that. [smilie=a_goodjobson.gif]

Bells · **Joined:** Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:29 am **Posts:** 37

A week on and she is certainly a lot better. Not 100% but mixing well, eating a lot more and scratching and running around ok. I think she's in recovery - no eggs yet and certainly a little lighter. I think it's a process and she's ok.

Joe47 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 03, 2013 12:22 pm **Posts:** 13

Hi after reading your post I think you did an excellent job. I am glad it worked out in the end,,as it was so sad reading it "the others came out to feed and she just sat there". I think she will know it was your caring and action that relieved her pain

Bells wrote:

A week on and she is certainly a lot better. Not 100% but mixing well, eating a lot more and scratching and running around ok. I think she's in recovery - no eggs yet and certainly a little lighter. I think it's a process and she's ok.

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