sick hen

[corylus]

one of my hens, aged about 10 months is not well, she's been all hunched up for 2 days, tail down and her comb is turning purple/blue, plus her feet are weak so I don't think she'll be able to roost. I've brought her into the house (in a box) to keep her warm in these freezing conditions, but feel she'll be dead in the morning. All the other hens are OK, any ideas why this might be? NB she's never laid an egg since we've had her

[lankeela]

Had she been laying I would have said she might be egg bound (well she still might be!). Perhaps her first born is a big 'un and has blocked the passage. Hope she is ok, if she makes it through the night I am sure the vet will put her right with antibiotics.

[wildwood]

I fear that the purple comb is a very bad sign. It could be lots of different ailments, from worms to blood poisoning - does she have an injury, probably on the feet somewhere. All you can do is keep her warm and like with all sick animals.... make sure she has ready access to water as they are likely to dehydrate.

If it is worms it is far too late to save her. Drenching at this stage will cause the drugged worms to block the intestines which will lead to a painful death.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

[corylus]

sadly the hen died quietly during the night. She'd had a good life though

[JonnyBoy12]

Sorry to hear about your sad loss of your hen. I used to work with chicks and hens, and used to get really attached to them. People said I was silly to get sentimental, but I really love these birds, and hope that this will not happen again to you.

Is there a problem with foxes as round here in Shropshire, all the folks I know who keep hens have had them killed by these vermin?

[bigmamma]

Awwww , that was kind of you to give warmth and comfort to the poor thing , I hope your other chucks are ok x

[corylus]

johnny boy we have a very arrogant fox round here, he patrols every night, and even in daylight, when I make a noise to scare him off or start our dogs barking to frighten him, he just turns round and looks at me from the field as if to say, 'Just you wait.' He's had most of next doors poultry, chickens, ducks, guinea fowl and even geese. (They have 7 acres of land) Now we keep our hens enclosed, AND SAFE, they are restricted to pens but the alternative is to be pounced upon by a serial killer. Hens have all sorts of personalities and are appreciative productive birds to keep.

[corylus]

big mamma, I try look after all creatures, the ones that I own and the wild ones that I find in my area, apart from Mr Fox. Do you keep animals/birds/pets?