Sick chook????

[winglis]

Hi there all, got a sick chook and due to just having been made redundant I dont really want any uneccessary vets fees! Shes an ex-battery and I dont know what age she is.... Very listless and has her eyes closed a lot, just crouching and puffed up, her vent is pretty dirty too. Her coat is perfect and her eyes are bright. Making wee chirruppy noises and staring at the wall seems to be her aim in life at the moment, but will come over to eat.
I hope someone has an idea - cant really find anything in my books.
Many Thanks
Winglis

[MaureenHall]

She might be trying to lay a soft-shelled egg. Unfortunately ex-batts do do this. I'd keep an eye on her, make sure she's drinking ok, and if it makes you feel any better (it would me) bathe her bottom with some warm water. Give her a cuddle too

[Glutton4...]

One of my ex-batts does this. I worried a lot the first time, and came on here to see what other people had reported. Luckily she was fine the following day. She now goes like this once every 10 days or so, so I'm getting used to it now I expect she'll be the first to go - but I haven't lost one yet and I've had them 4 months now!

[kirsty b]

If shes eating offer her some marmite on a little piece of bread. Its a good tonic for birds, full of B vitamins. I sometimes mix a dollop of it into veg peeling mash when I make it. Have fed it to convalescing chooks after a fox attack too.

[davefromthechipie]

As Maureenhall said do the bath thing .I have been taking care of my nextdoor neighbours ex batts for the past 2 weeks and one just died 3 days ago She was sick for about 1 month with the same symptoms as you said .I started to bath her last week but was little to late .............................. it worked when i did it she layed a brown Rubberball off egg ( must of been in there for months ) The toxins must of built up .You could try giving her some oliy fish or just somein the water I believe its oliveoil people use .
Hope she gets better soon.

[winglis]

Many thanks to all the advice on my sick chook Dolly seems a bit better after a bum-bath and us mainlining her sunflower oil!!!! She still seems a bit lethargic but has started following the others around again. Thanks again

[Pumpkin Becki]

Bit of Poultry Spice in her food might pep her up too.