Reprieved for tonight!

[LadyA]

One of my remaining four hens looked slightly "off" last evening, but nothing I could put my finger on. She appeared to be eating ok at bedtime. There was just something about her that drew my eye, but I couldn't say what! I put a strong dose of oregano oil in the water and decided to give her their usual 48 hours to see if she improved, and if not, cull her then. These are hybrids, just over two years old, so are getting on. This afternoon, I looked out and she was looking quite dejected. Head pulled in, tail - not exactly down, but not as perky as the others, who's legs were all going like pistons as they searched for tasty morsels. This hen was doing a bit of desultory searching around, with the air of someone who wasn't bothered! So, I decided not to wait, as she looked ill. Then decided that I'd light the stove first. Then chop veg for soup. (putting off the evil deed!). Finally, I went out to the garage (out of sight of the other hens!) and got ready the half broom handle I use as the Instrument of Death when necessary! And went to get the hen. To find her looking much brighter, with her head in the feeder! 10 10 So, thought I'd just keep an eye, and over the next hour or two, it seemed every time I looked out, she was at the feeder, eating! Very, very odd!
So, she's had a reprieve for tonight anyway, and I'll see how she is over the next day or two. Experience tells me that once the hybrids start getting these spells of being unwell, it's the beginning of the end, and just a matter of time (and usually not long!) before they go. But, we'll see!

 

[chrismahon]

She may have laid a 'softy' LadyA, which the others then ate. Or perhaps she was slightly 'egg bound'? You are probably right about spells of being unwell getting worse. We stopped keeping Hybrids as they all had major problems very young. Having said that Pedigrees can be problematic as well- particularly Buff Orpingtons, which may look lovely BUT every single one had major issues, usually digestive with hens and ingrowing feathers and weak hips with the cocks. At the moment our best performers are copper/back Marans.

 

[LadyA]

She may have laid a 'softy' LadyA, which the others then ate. Or perhaps she was slightly 'egg bound'? You are probably right about spells of being unwell getting worse. We stopped keeping Hybrids as they all had major problems very young. Having said that Pedigrees can be problematic as well- particularly Buff Orpingtons, which may look lovely BUT every single one had major issues, usually digestive with hens and ingrowing feathers and weak hips with the cocks. At the moment our best performers are copper/back Marans.

I had thought about a softy, but there would usually be some evidence - yellow stained bedding or soggy patches in the house. But there wasn't anything. It could, as you say, have been a difficult egg. There was a large egg laid by someone yesterday afternoon, so maybe that was her? Who knows. Anyway, she trotted out with the others this morning, looking quite bright. We may despatch these four at the end of Feb, and then start with a new batch in April/May. I had been going to despatch them before Christmas, but they were so well, and laying so well still that I didn't.