The Poultry Keeper

skipperted · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Cumbria

My light Sussex appeared to be a bit off colour today she was in the nest box when we opened up this morning. and as I thought she was laying her egg she was left in peace.
When we returned to them this evening ( they're kept on an allotment) she went out with the other two chickens to have a scratch around, but she seemed very quiet. She didn't even seem too keen on seeing the corn tin ( all three run to it when we bring it out ). She then went into the hut early of her own accord and sat on the perch going to sleep. When we checked on her a little time later she had passed an egg without a shell. whilst still sat on the perch.
She has been drinking and eating but seems off colour, there's no sign of bulling from the others, and she was right as rain yesterday. Could it be anything to do with the hot weather? There is plenty of shade and water in the pen we have for them.

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

It probably is the heat, my 2 LS are lazing around not doing much

but it's worth keeping an eye on her for anything else

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

I agree with George ~ this heat isn't what they're used to and they've got a feather coat on too! Just make sure they have plenty of water available and maybe you could put some apple cider vinegar in the water at 2% ~ 20mls to the litre, in a non galvanised drinker. It's a general tonic so may perk her up. Something I've tried recently has been Naf's Life Guard ~ recommended to me by Bhindi ~ and I believe it helped one of my girls pick herself up a bit. It could be worth a try ~ that goes in water too ~ so it would probably have to be one or the other that you use.

skipperted · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Cumbria

Is this apple cider vinegar the same stuff we use in the kitchen, or is it a veterinary product? My wife has a collection of vinegars and things she uses in the kitchen

NannyP · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:05 pm Post subject:

I think it is Human Grade, but most of us purchase from the feed store. I think it is sold for horses?
It's not uncommon for a hen to lay and unshelled egg, especially if they are new to laying, or just coming out of moult.
My hen Henny layed one about 2 weeks ago, she looked really unwell before and for about an hour after, then she was right as rain.

CP · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:43 am Post subject:

Shell-less eggs do happen occasionally. It's usually nothing to worry about unless the hen is doing it all the time. Wink

The cider vinegar to use is the cloudy one with bits in usually sold for horses, if you can get it. If you only have the culinary one it's better than nothing. Wink

skipperted · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Cumbria

I'm pleased to say that today, although still not on top form she's a lot better, we were at the allotment tonight until quite late and she seemed to perk up as the evening got cooler, so we put her being of colour down to the heat.
We also went for some ACV from the farm store but found it to be too expensive and in too large a quantity, so we got a bottle from the health food shop.
We thought we might as well let them all have a tonic anyway, as I guess it wont do them any harm.

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

No Skipperted it won't do them any harm at all. It will probably help them over this very hot spell of weather we're having. You normally give it for 7 days a month for optimum results.