My favorite hen, a 2 yr old brahma banty, has not been acting herself for several days. She is straining and crouching to poop. Her poop appears small and very dry. I have felt around her vent area and feel no lumps or stuck eggs. I have given her yogurt one day, blueberries the next, she has plenty of fresh water and lettuce every morning. I can't figure out what is wrong. The only change in food is that we accidentally picked up eggmaker crumbles instead of the pellets we usually feed. Any ideas or advice?
She recently finished molting and I was waiting a few weeks to let her body rest before I started a light on a timer. It has been 2 months since she has laid an egg.
Meg, you could try giving a little apple cider vinegar in the water. Don't know if it'll help with that problem but it's good for them. I hope she is ok. It seems like all mine strain and squat when they poop now that I think about it.
Thank you for your comments and concerns. My little hen is a little more active today and did not seem to strain as much to poop today. I let all the girls out of the chicken tractor today and for the majority of time, she ran and scratched with the others. However, towards the end of "recess" she was back to just standing and watching.
Favorite Hen...help!
Posted - Nov 01 2010 : 5:18:46 PM
