The Poultry Keeper

Kidsfizz · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Suffolk

Help our Rhode is poorly and we're at a loss Sad

She went off her corn yesterday, is lying down more (not in nest box) than normal and seems lethargic. She took a small amount of buttered corn last night.

She is drinking, is still full of beans when I try and catch her, tum feels ok, think she laid today (only started on Sun), comb is nice and red, no signs of diarrhoea, has been wormed, crop may be a little smaller than usual,isn't particularly warm... What are we missing....

Could it be the heat??

Any help would be fab-thanks loads

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1334 Location: Manchester

unfortunately with symptoms like that there's any number of things it could be - off food and droopy is a general 'I don't feel well' behaviour but until she shows something a bit more specific there's not much you can diagnose.

You can do some general things to try and perk her up, ACV and garlic in the water, check for lice, mites etc. and treat if needed, you can get poultry spice or other vitamin formulas aimed at perking up droopy hens from most feed stores or online.

Other than that just keep an eye on her and see if she starts showing any other symptoms.

Kidsfizz · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Suffolk

Thanks for that.

Have given her ACV which they all love and poultry spice too-fingers crossed she's just a bit under and will perk up.

Thanks again Smile

flock · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Normandie

Red comb, drinking and eating something are good signs, could be down to the weather. Has it been hot in your part of the world?

In what position is she lying down? Slightly to one side? Legs or wings outstreatched? If so she could just be cooling off.

Pop a cat litter box out (or similar) filled with fresh dry dirt or dig over an area of soil in the shade. If she shows an interest and has a good dust bath she is fine.

You most likely are anyway but feed a good balanced diet, pellets have all the nutrients required. Make sure you have fresh water at all times for thirsty hens to drink.

Keep us posted.

Best wishes.

NannyP · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject:

You've had some heat in the UK, and she may just be feeling the heat. If she's eating, drinking and red combed, then she sounds okay, especially if she is perky when you try to catch her.

Kidsfizz · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Suffolk

Thanks everyone.
It has been really hot here but the others are fine.

She is laying down all puffed up today-no wings/legs outstretched. Seems a little slower today but still drinking and red combed.

Has playsand down but not bothered for bathing-although none of them seem to have grasped that yet!! Not sure if I have set that up right but they all just seem to peck at it!!

Have left her with plenty of water, food and shade so fingers crossed for a happier hen this evening...