Worried about hens in the cold with a cold!

[Sue]

I took one of my hens to the vets again today as she has started sneezing a lot and is very wheezy. Went to the Chickenvet this time. There are two others who are also sneezing and a bit wheezy, but not as bad as her. He has given me oral antibiotics, but it tastes disgusting and I have had a real problem getting it down them! I'm sure it's not doing them any good stressing them out trying to get the antibiotics into them! I'm going to try putting it in a small amount of something nice tomorrow and feeding them individually in the hope I can get it into them. I'm really worried about them being out in the house tonight as it is getting very cold. I know you will probably say they will cuddle up together to keep warm, but they aren't all using the perches at the moment as some go into the nest boxes, so some could be on their own. The nest boxes are more sheltered than the house as they are inside the covered run of the other hens. It was -3 at first light this morning and I'm sure it must have been colder during the night. Are they going to be ok outside or should I bring them all in? The problem with this of course is that they will have to go out again tomorrow and I suspect the change in temperature of doing that will do them more harm than good. Am I doing the right thing leaving them where they are? There are 5 hens in the house (house size 6-8).

 

[chrismahon]

Weather forcast is warm tonight and very warm with rain tomorrow. Same Thursday then turning colder, but I don't know by how much. They may be feeling better by then?

 

[karminski]

i would leave them where they are keep on moving them backwards and forwards might stress them more and bring thier colds out stronger then what they already have them ,they will huddle up and keep warm but dont forget they do have those feathers to keep them warm , i am the same as you as i was worried about my little bantie on her own in a rabbit hutch but she was fine .
the outer feathers might feel cold but out your fingers into the under feathers and you will notice a difference i did the other day it was quite nice

 

[ncotb]

A good tip I learnt from a lovely lady is to put some ribena in the water with the antibiotics - it works!

 

[Sue]

Thanks ncotb, but the antibiotics aren't going in the water, they're going straight into the hen! Or at least that's the theory.

 

[misshennypenny]

I tend to bring any badly hens (im from cumbria) into the house for a night or two. They seem to not mind at all and enjoy the attention. Its soon apparent if a vet visit is needed.Restriction outside during the day helps as well.Sitting on a warm knee watching tele seems to help. Although hopefully not Gypsy Blood!