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Hi,I purchased 12 pol chickens a week ago and all seemed fine until yesterday, when I noticed one of them standing apart from the rest, she had her eyes closed, her beak was slightly open and she looked really unhappy. I went into the run and she came over and ate some pellets, but then went to standing in a corner again. I separated her from the others and this morning I looked at her and she'd laid a soft shelled egg, she jioned the others to feed and then was off standing alone with her eyes closed etc.Any advice would be helpful please!Many thanks,A worried chicken owner
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Chicken Gender: Female Age: 18+ weeks Name of Bird: Hetty Already Tried: I have isolated her from the other birds
Hello
Is she showing any other symptoms? Coughing, sneezing, discharge?
Do you know if they had been vaccinated before you bought them?
It is possible that Hetty may have a respiratory infection, if she had her eyes shut and was mouth breathing
There are a few different agents that can cause repiratory disease in chickens, some viral, some bacterial. A course of antibiotic may often be helpful though, as birds are prone to secondary infection.
The next link goes into more detail, explaining respiratory infection http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/general-health-and-common-diseases/respiratory-disease/index.aspx
I would isolate Hetty for now, place her in a comfortable box, lined with towels where she has easy access to drinking water and tempt her to eat with her favourite foods
There are some good tips on nursing poorly chickens on this link http://www.brittonclouse.com/chickenrunrescue/CARING%20FOR%20A%20SICK%20OR%20INJ%20%209_08.pdf
It would be a good idea to add aplle cider vinegar to the drinking water, which acts as a tonic http://poultrykeeper.com/common-articles-to-all-poultry/general/apple-cider-vinegar.html
I would also add in some probiotic or live yoghurt to the diet, to help boost the guts friendly bacteria http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/shop/products/index.aspx/category/nutritional-supplements-5
poultry friendly vets, can be found using the next link http://poultrykeeper.com/poultry-vets-uk/poultry-veterinary-practices-services-uk/
please reply if you have any questions
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How is Hetty doing?
Hetty is much better now thank you, XXXXX XXXXX her for 2 days she was back to normal!!Kind regards,Pauline
Hello Pauline,
I'm so pleased to hear that Hetty is better.
Best wishes Fiona
Experience: BVMS MRCVS