off topic but does anyone know anything about hens?

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elsielouise

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One of my hens has become really 'puffed up'. She's not moving around and in the last hour or so has stopped eating or drinking. I've brought her into the house to keep her warm and don't really know what else to do.

Comb fine and red, eyes clear. Her vent is a bit dirty and her breathing is a bit rapid but that could be because she's in a cage in my house...

Flippin Sunday night or would take her to the vets

I love my hen - anyone got any advice about what else I could do tonight?
 
we keep bantams, and to be honest (i know your not going to want to hear this) but often when they go downhill with an illness, they dont pick up
they seem to give up on life and most of ours dont make it
sorry to be the voice of doom, hope your hen is ok, i love our chickens- they are such characters!
tbh i would keep things as stressfree as possible, keep her warm, and leave her be
fingers crossed
 
yeah we keep a range of chickens as we sell free range eggs! she might have the flew or caught a cold which is very commen in chickens! Im sorry to but chickens arnt the strongest of creatures!they dont need much of an excuse to die..im affraid . Its probabaly a cold or something shes eaten by the sound of it! keep her cosy and warm but dont over heat. I wouldnt try force feeding her to much as she could bring it back up and choke. Just place plenty of food and water by the side of her. And take her to the vets as soon as possible!
hope i could help
 
Could she be egg bound.... not sure what to do but could try googling it.
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Poor clucky
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feel her croup as she could be blocked up - best thing to do is apaprantly tip them upside down and it all comes out - what my mum does anyway
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You could try posting on the forum on a website called pekinbantams.com there are lots of knowledgable chicken people on there. We have chickens, one of whom once got very ill and did survive
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She had egg peritonitis. If they have sour crop they usually have smelly breath as it is due to a yeast infection of the crop. Sorry not to be more helpful and good luck
 
if you go onto www.rivercottage.net web site there is a great forum there and you can ask all sorts of questions about your chicks and there are some seriously experienced chicken people there.

If she is eggbound the solution is sit them in deep warm water in your sink - as hot as you can leave your hand in - for about 20 mins - and then sit her on warm damp towels. However you do need to put a finger inside her and check if she is eggbound first.

keep her warm and draught free till tomorrow and then take her to the vets
 
repeat what others said about look at some specialist sites - I keep chickens and often post on www.downsizer.net - very helpful. I thinks she sounds egg bound but no expert (none of my chickens have had the problem) - usually they waddle a bit if you noticed her moving
 
Thank you all

She has survived the night (in my front room, warm and dry). We held her over steam last night but no sign of an egg and is currently happy to eat peas out of my hand. Her eyes are bright etc I think she could be egg bound or egg peritonitis.

Have just made her a vets appointment. Going at 10am as luckily am off work this week... hope she's OK I love my hen. Her friend is calling outside too.
 
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