The Poultry Keeper

Nursie · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 162

I posted about this problem on the PP forum, but did not get much help, so hopefully, you guys will be able to assist.

One of my Lohmann Brown's has been acting very oddly for about a week now. She either sits or stands in the middle of the garden all fluffed up, with her tail pointed right up in the air. She spends most of the day on her own, and yet she is eating and drinking well.

I have picked her up and gently probed, but found no evidence of an egg stuck or anything untoward. The only thing I have noticed is that every now and then she 'bobs' down, as if she is going to poo, but nothing happens. Also her bottom 'pulsates' (sorry, being rather graphic here!!) but I have not seen her poo.

Could she be constipated? Someone on PP suggested prune juice - what do you think, or should I take her to the vet?

Brahmagirl · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Devon, UK

Is is possible for you to isolate her for a few hours (bring her indoors or make a temporary run for her) so that you can monitor if she poos at all? If you think it is constipation, it would not hurt to give her a little liquid paraffin into her beak with a syringe.

Have you felt her crop night and morning to see if food is moving on as it should do?

Jill

Nursie · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 162

No, I haven't felt her crop - good point.

Yes, I can put her in the porch and see what happens. Where do I get liquid paraffin!?

Brahmagirl · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Devon, UK

The bottle of liquid paraffin I've got came from Boots - a long time ago - so I don't know if you can still get it now - they've taken so many of the 'old fashioned' things off sale now. There is a syrup they sell called Lactulose which would be safe to use, if it is constipation.

I do hope you get her sorted out. Jill

Nursie · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 162

Thanks Jill, I'll bring her into the porch tomorrow and see what happens.

Funnily enough, I have some Lactulose at home! Won't go into what it's doing here though!!!!

Lisa · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:33 pm Post subject:

Nursie · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 162

Well, I've good news about my strange lady, I think she must have been trying to lay her first egg, as today I had a full compliment of 17 eggs from 17 hens and she is whizzing around the garden looking as happy as larry!!!

How bizarre these creatures are Very Happy

Thank you for your advice and help though!!

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7324 Location: isle of lewis

great news
suz

CP · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 8:25 pm Post subject:

That's wonderful news Nursie! Very Happy

Brahmagirl · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Devon, UK

Really pleased to hear the news!

Lisa · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:37 pm Post subject:

Excellent - hope she knows what to do from now on! Razz

Nursie · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 162

So do I!!!

Bless her, she looked so pleased with herself!!

NannyP · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:27 pm Post subject:

Ahhh bless, so she was just getting in some practice Very Happy

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

so pleased, she just had pes ~ pre egg syndrome.

CP · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:13 am Post subject:

Oh very funny summayah! Laughing