Amber Star

[Louise]

My two year old Amber Star ,Truffle, is behaving very oddly. She had sour crop a month ago which I treated successfully with yogurt but then laid several lumps of very weird stuff which I discovered was called lash. She's not laid anything since but has been fine and behaving normally. Yesterday she didn't come to the morning feed as usual so I picked her up to check her crop but that was empty. She felt quite heavy in my arms which is unusual and, apart from the odd bit of greens and some mealworms I gave her she's off her food completely. Her comb is a bit floppy but still a reasonable red and her eyes are bright. She doesn't wander and scratch about like the other two but spends most of her time sitting down fluffed up. Can anyone offer any advice please, I am puzzled and concerned but can't afford a vet!!

 

[foxy]

It could be egg yolk peritonitis as her history points to an egg laying dysfunction. This may account for her "heaviness" which is probably fluid accumulating in her abdomen. Additionally there may also be an infection associated with her peritonitis. She may be able to sort herself out but I doubt it.

A farm vet is not too expensive and they would be able to give an accurate diagnosis which we are not able to do on the forum, and advise a course of treatment. If you give us an idea of your location we may be able to come up with a vet nearby who is reasonable.

Another option is to track down a friendly experienced poultry keeper who will advise or cull for you, you could check for you local poultry club on the internet they are usually more than happy to help.

Good luck with your hen and please keep us posted!

 

[Louise]

Thank you. I live in Dedham near Colchester Essex. By the way she has just made her way to the food trough and appears to be pecking, something she didn't do yesterday