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Post by emseypop on Apr 21, 2008 14:57:15 GMT 1
I hope it is just broodiness, I've never noticed before how short her neck is, maybe its because she's all fluffed up? Her breast bones seem to really protrude too. Am I a fussy mother? She came out at snack time, wasn't interested in the spaghetti but had a go at the cat food  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 21, 2008 15:35:34 GMT 1
I hope it is just broodiness, I've never noticed before how short her neck is, maybe its because she's all fluffed up? Her breast bones seem to really protrude too. Am I a fussy mother? She came out at snack time, wasn't interested in the spaghetti but had a go at the cat food Broody chickens are very grumpy looking usually - they are in their protective mode - is she muttering? If she's eating then she's alright. My Buff Orpington, Bella, used to go broody every Spring, she wouldn't eat or drink for days sometimes. Often I had to lift her off her nest and try and break the 'broodiness' by taking her somewhere else in the garden. It's much better to be fussy than not care, Emsey! Just make sure she hasn't sneaked an egg to sit on or she'll be there for ages.. |
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Post by Sleepy on Apr 21, 2008 15:40:53 GMT 1
I hope it is just broodiness, I've never noticed before how short her neck is, maybe its because she's all fluffed up? Her breast bones seem to really protrude too. Am I a fussy mother? She came out at snack time, wasn't interested in the spaghetti but had a go at the cat food Broody chickens are very grumpy looking usually - they are in their protective mode - is she muttering? If she's eating then she's alright. My Buff Orpington, Bella, used to go broody every Spring, she wouldn't eat or drink for days sometimes. Often I had to lift her off her nest and try and break the 'broodiness' by taking her somewhere else in the garden. It's much better to be fussy than not care, Emsey! Just make sure she hasn't sneaked an egg to sit on or she'll be there for ages.. Protective mode? I don't think so. If you were 18" tall, how (oh, you are, aren't you?) would you feel about passing something the size that an egg is, through a rear passage that is a lot smaller than the average hen's egg - 3 to 4 times a week! |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 21, 2008 15:46:49 GMT 1
I am a great deal taller than 18" so just watch it! Have you ever heard the din a chicken makes as she lays an egg - triumphant it is! They are very pleased with themselves so it can't be that bad, besides they have a whacking great vent to push it out of - intelligent design don't you know?
(No that can't be true - chickens are soo thick it's unbelievable..)
And don't ask impertinent question's about a person's rear passage (whatever its size)! Really...wot are you like?
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Post by emseypop on Apr 22, 2008 13:04:52 GMT 1
I looked up the garden this morning convinced I could see 4 hens. A bit later on I went up the garden and Duckie was in the HH as usual, I decided to shoe her out. I went into the coop and picked her up, no resistance. I decided to take her to a diffent part of the garden, I lowered her down to knee level and sort of droped her, she landed awkwardly, on her face and stayed like that till I moved her. Then she made her way into the boarder. I left her for a while, then I had a dig around her, the others came over to look for worms but she didn't move.  I took her back up by the coop and gave them all some corn, she ate some from my hands, then didn't move for a couple of hours I tried her with spaggetti, no reaction, ignored it but was having a peck at the corn. Just been up again and she's gone back into the coop and is collapsed by the side of the water bowl. In full sun. I don't know what to do? Her Head is a little lopsided, but I think it always has been, her comb is still nice and red. HELP |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 22, 2008 13:40:01 GMT 1
When's the last time she laid an egg Emsey? It is possible for a chicken to get an egg stuck in her vent....not often but it does happen and you may have to gently feel around her vent with an oiled finger....
BUT not yet perhaps....if she is still sitting she may be deep in her broodiness..the best thing is to put her somewhere quiet, try and make sure she eats and drinks and just leave her alone. It's up to you really - she may be ill but she sounds very broody to me. Have you a small crate or box you could confine her in for a while - sometimes that breaks the broodiness too - she will let you know if she wants to get out, just make sure she has enough cool air and food and drink in there. Don't go on just what I say though - if you feel worried get some more advice.
Have you checked for lice in her feathers? Are her eyes sunken? Her comb limp? Are her feet OK? Are any of the other chickens showing similar signs? All these questions may help you find what's wrong.
Don't give up Emsey, a broody chicken can look at death's door for a while...but make sure you are satisfied that she is not suffering or in pain if you can. This may be the first time she has become broody. I hope she gets up and recovers soon X
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Post by debbiem on Apr 22, 2008 14:50:59 GMT 1
Chickens can lay really awkwardly when they're chilling out, neck all twisted and they do look as if they've passed out. The first time I saw one of mine laying like that I was really alarmed and went and poked her out of it(which went down well). It does sound as if she's broody by what you say. When my first hens went broody they wouldn't come out of the HH for anything, forsaking all food and drink or so it looked. I had a little run with a small enclosed house in it that I used to put the hens in when I had declared them truly broody and like 4P says that would make or break them. Some would mind so much it broke the broodiness whereas others would get all aeriated but then settle down and be broody in there and have their chicks in there too. Others would make a right song and dance and would not settle in the run, only to go staright back to the main HH and continue their broodiness in there. : Is she making a warbling kind of gurgling sound when you go near her Emsey? |
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Post by emseypop on Apr 22, 2008 15:48:10 GMT 1
She's not making much niose at all, but when she has, its been a warbley gurgle yes. Debi braved the pox and took a look at her this aft. There is no food in her crawl, so she hasn't eaten much lately but I dont thinks anything stuck. I saw her do a poo, can they poop if theres an egg stuck? I'm not sure who lays what but since Duckies been like this, we've never had more than 3 eggs, and we were getting 4 some days. Where would I be without my Chicken whispers ehhh |
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Post by Sleepy on Apr 22, 2008 15:56:37 GMT 1
She's not making much niose at all, but when she has, its been a warbley gurgle yes. Debi braved the pox and took a look at her this aft. There is no food in her crawl, so she hasn't eaten much lately but I dont thinks anything stuck. I saw her do a poo, can they poop if theres an egg stuck? I'm not sure who lays what but since Duckies been like this, we've never had more than 3 eggs, and we were getting 4 some days. Where would I be without my Chicken whispers ehhh My Sister can give birth and do a poo at the same time, so I can't see why a chicken can't! |
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Post by emseypop on Apr 22, 2008 17:22:59 GMT 1
She's out of the HH!! Went up and fed her three oven chips through the pop hole, 1/4 an hour later I can see her at the top of the garden, not far from the coop.
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Post by mickthecactus on Apr 22, 2008 17:26:24 GMT 1
She's not making much niose at all, but when she has, its been a warbley gurgle yes. Debi braved the pox and took a look at her this aft. There is no food in her crawl, so she hasn't eaten much lately but I dont thinks anything stuck. I saw her do a poo, can they poop if theres an egg stuck? I'm not sure who lays what but since Duckies been like this, we've never had more than 3 eggs, and we were getting 4 some days. Where would I be without my Chicken whispers ehhh My Sister can give birth and do a poo at the same time, so I can't see why a chicken can't! It's a clever trick but not the sort of thing you can do very often though... |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 22, 2008 19:45:26 GMT 1
I have such a disgusting reply right on the tip of my tongue but I won't write it! You are being sooo gross right in the middle of Emsey's worrying. Men..... : Anyway.....just keep an eye on her, Emsey, she may still try and make a little nest somewhere secluded.....broody hens are very determined! If she's left the HH though it sounds like she's getting back to normal. I had a hen sit on an empty nest for 3 weeks once....then she suddenly abandoned it and carried on as normal. I'm glad she's out and about - it's a worry, isn't it? : |
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Post by debbiem on Apr 23, 2008 8:59:56 GMT 1
That's good news Emsey - whether she was broody or just a bit off colour it sounds like she's over it now. How is she today? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 23, 2008 9:48:09 GMT 1
Morning Emsey! How is Ducky?
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Post by emseypop on Apr 23, 2008 9:52:23 GMT 1
After a 5 min potter she was back in the HH! The same this morning, no sign of her. I've put her in the guinnea pig run now with some food and water, see if that snaps her out of it, she's sulking. At least she is standing up now though. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 23, 2008 13:05:30 GMT 1
Aren't pot eggs supposed to help broody hens?  You do that if you want a hen to sit on eggs, The witch - Duckie wants to sit on a nest but Emsey doesn't want her to, so best not encourage her really! |
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Post by emseypop on Apr 23, 2008 13:09:09 GMT 1
Aren't pot eggs supposed to help broody hens? You do that if you want a hen to sit on eggs, The witch - Duckie wants to sit on a nest but Emsey doesn't want her to, so best not encourage her really! I get her some fertile eggs if I could guarantee there were going to be no little roosters. Still no change. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 23, 2008 13:15:05 GMT 1
It's S*d's Law that there are always more cockerels than hens I think. Smallest would love me to hatch some chicks and raise them but it's not as easy as all that. I once kept a pair of Muscovy ducks who hatched a lot of babies - they were gorgeous. Mother hens are much better than mother ducks though - it used to be quite common for duck eggs to be put under hens so they were better looked after. The hens didn't seem to know any different. That's sweet isn't it? |
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Post by debbiem on Apr 23, 2008 13:16:12 GMT 1
If only you could sex eggs! The kids would love some chicks but it's the same here Emsey - what if you get boys?
We had to rehome a cockerel once and were lucky that the local RSPCA took him for us - it was very upsetting though having to see him go.
The other alternative, i.e. dispatching them if they turn out to be boys doesn't bear thinking about, as they have to be a good few weeks old usually before you can tell if they're a girl or boy.
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 23, 2008 13:31:28 GMT 1
A few years ago I bought a trio of Holland Blues from a local breeder. I said I wanted all females and I wanted them POL so she picked them out for me - lovely birds they were but afer a few weeks one of them began to show definite signs of being a cockerel. It used to attack me every time I went near it and so I rang up to ask the breeder to replace it and she wouldn't hear of it! I had a (very) heated exchange with her but she wouldn't budge. The blooming bird was so aggressive I gave it to the farmer next door to eat, and I have to say it was a great relief - that bird made my life a misery!I told EVERYONE I knew not to go to that breeder and it still makes me cross even thinking about it now!
I love my animals but only if they are nice to me! That creature was dangerous..... Are we still friends Debbie?
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Post by debbiem on Apr 23, 2008 13:40:59 GMT 1
A few years ago I bought a trio of Holland Blues from a local breeder. I said I wanted all females and I wanted them POL so she picked them out for me - lovely birds they were but afer a few weeks one of them began to show definite signs of being a cockerel. It used to attack me every time I went near it and so I rang up to ask the breeder to replace it and she wouldn't hear of it! I had a (very) heated exchange with her but she wouldn't budge. The blooming bird was so aggressive I gave it to the farmer next door to eat, and I have to say it was a great relief - that bird made my life a misery!I told EVERYONE I knew not to go to that breeder and it still makes me cross even thinking about it now! I love my animals but only if they are nice to me! That creature was dangerous..... Are we still friends Debbie? Eh? Why wouldn't we be? You would have thought the breeder would have taken it back anyway with it still being very young. Not very good customer service is it? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 23, 2008 13:46:29 GMT 1
Because you rehomed your cockerel but I got someone to stretch mine's neck! There are people who would be horrified about that.....
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Post by debbiem on Apr 23, 2008 13:54:23 GMT 1
'Course we're friends!  If I knew I could do it properly so it would be completely painless that would be different - but I haven't got a clue and reading how to do it isn't the same as actually doing it! If I had a vicious so-and-so of a cockerel and there was somebody willing to take him off my hands I would do exactly as you did. Luckily Reg was rehomed via the RSPCA so that was the end of the quandery. After all, it was them that gave him to us in the first place! ;D |
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Post by emseypop on Apr 23, 2008 15:58:59 GMT 1
When I went to see my Nan a few weeks ago she told me the story of when my uncle found a chick outside on the street in the snow, This was 40 odd years ago when Nan was still in Ireland. She said it was such a sweet thing, they raised it in the 'hot press' and it grew to a cockerel, much to the neighbors dismay. They kept him in the shed in the BG. When my Nan was heavily pregnant with baby number 8 (MY DAD)she couldn't cope with mucking him out etc so she asked her neigh bout to dispatch him, she went out while he did this. As soon as she left she had a change of heart and and rushed back to tell him, only to be greeted with the site of her 3 eldest gleefully plucking the rooster and the younger kids dancing about in the feathers. No real change with Duckie, she seems to only eat out of my hands, and her neck does look a bit wonky. Just been in the garden feeding her and thw roof of the GP run fell down righ on my head, i've a looney tunes style lump on my head awww
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Post by Sleepy on Apr 23, 2008 16:00:30 GMT 1
Gawd you women are a murderous lot!!!
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I took her back up by the coop and gave them all some corn, she ate some from my hands, then didn't move for a couple of hours I tried her with spaggetti, no reaction, ignored it but was having a peck at the corn. Just been up again and she's gone back into the coop and is collapsed by the side of the water bowl. In full sun. I don't know what to do? Her Head is a little lopsided, but I think it always has been, her comb is still nice and red. HELP