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Chicken problem-old age or heat??
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Posted by chickenmom 7b/8a, DFW, TX (My Page) on Thu, Jun 18, 09 at 12:23
| This is the first time I've ever posted to this forum, but I need !!help!!! I have one chicken, Speckles. Through a series of events I did not initiate, I ended up with her. She has turned out to be the most wonderful pet and companion. Her fifth birthday was in March. After going through her usual moult during last winter, she perked right up this spring and began laying her usual every other day egg. She looked great, ate well, seemed just fine in every way. Then the Texas heat hit. She stopped laying, which has happened during the heat before. But, she has also begun acting whacky---like she is totally out of it. Almost like getting "broody", but with no eggs or nest. She is eating less and less and seems not to even see some of her favorite treats. I was thinking she was going to be just fine Monday because she munched up 150 June bugs I'd caught for her the night before. (Our neighbors must wonder why I am running about in the yard with a headlamp on grabbing bugs, but ...) Anyway, she ate a few bugs the next day, but began refusing to touch the June bugs. Today she has eaten just two beetle type bugs I caught for her, a bite or two of chicken scratch, a bite of cucumber seed/mush and maybe half a strawberry. In her coop she just squats down on a wet spot I've made to try to help her stay cool. I have been bringing her inside during the worst of the heat in the afternoons and trying to get her out of her pen to walk around. Normally she would be fighting to get past me and out the gate, but now I have to coax her out. Any ideas?? I am wondering if has something to do with hormones, like chicken menopause. Or if it is the heat. She is over 5 years old and I don't know if that is old for a chicken or not. She is a barred rock. I would appreciate any and all advice!!! Thank you,
Debby |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Chicken problem-old age or heat??
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| Debbie - I wish I could offer you more than my virtual hugs, but I am only a new chicken owner. I want to encourage you to post this same question on backyardchickens dot com. There is an emergency/disease section and those folks know everything there is to know about chickens and I am sure could help out. In the meantime, best of luck to you and your little lady. Julia in Woodinville, WA |
Here is a link that might be useful: Chicken Emergencies Forum
RE: Chicken problem-old age or heat??
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| Thank you so much for taking time to post the Backyard Chicken info, Julia!! I have a post there now. Yesterday we took Speckles to a vet who treats "exotics", which seems to include chickens! She spent the night there last night, is on antibiotics and possibly has egg yolk peritonitis. They also thought she had a possible crop impaction, but she did pass some droppings this morning, so they think that is gradually working itself out. She is SO thin though. They are doing x-rays and blood work this afternoon and we are going to be able to bring her home tonight, then take her back tomorrow. We talked just to an assistant so far, but will see the vet when we pick her up. I'm hoping the antibiotics will be enough to take care of this, but I guess it is too soon to tell. Again, I really appreciate your suggestions and concern! Debby |
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