Everyone worries and has problems with this issue and it is often the bottom hen that is the worst - which has no logic to me but there we are. We have never had any new hens so can't be of any help - someone better will be along soon but I think it is basically wire netting between the warring part...

Hi Wendy - hope you are well. My books just say that a 'wormer' should be administered. Not much help I know but I would imagine this might be by mouth As for the ? trans-gender chicken I don't think this will happen - although some fish can manage it (without surgery) I would say the bird is either...

We buried one hen which we fought to save for nearly a year and who became such a good patient through all the treatments.

The others go under a special tree in the woods and are gone the next morning.

Mike

Sorry to keep posting but Head Girl is utterly bereft and completely silent, eating very little (no competition I guess) Not sure I can see a flock animal so miserable. I am thinking of letting her go over the bridge - what am I talking about - I am thinking of putting her down. Any comments or expe...

Thanks all for your kind comments. We were waiting for her to pass as despite the ups and downs the overall graph had been heading south for months. She went from excitement at cold peas to dead in about 3 seconds; I for one would take that. Heart attack I imagine or an aneurism (? spelling) The las...

Here is the missing T T Sad to report that our hen went over the bridge this afternoon. I had just got home and given them some peas in cold water as it is a warm afternoon. They both dashed to the dish and I turned my back for a few seconds and when I looked back she was in trouble and died a few s...

Hello everyone The hen I have been talking about is still very much with us, but I am wondering whether any one can offer a little more advice? Her quality of life is fine - wondering around the garden as I can see. She is a little slow, but then so am I. Thing is her comb is very dark purple from g...

No Manda, they are obviously fragile organisms but have a lust for life. Apologies to Perchy who had already told us about the water on the beak trick - Rebecca must have taken that on-board. They are dashing around the garden after their picnic on the lawn for tea-time. She looks 80% fixed and her ...

Thanks for asking Hen Pen. Well, this hen is getting through her 9 lives but never gives up! She spent 3 days without moving an inch, just sitting facing into the corner of her bedroom. Her comb went beyond purple and was practically black. I considered 'the kindest thing' but something told me to h...

Hello and welcome! I'm afraid I am going to disagree with the previous posts. Some hens are just plain nasty and in such a small run why risk having 3 miserable hens? I would get her down the road immediately. We are first timers too and one of our original 6 was a horror - nothing would stop her be...

Totally agree with TS and you all. I spent a year as a tour rep in Sri Lanka - 1985 perhaps - and loved the fruit curry in the morning - mango, mangosteen, papaya, pineapple. Tea or a beer goes well, but no beer if you are 'in public' I still love curry gravy and fresh peach at this time of year. Ou...

Thanks again. Her temperature is normal and R reports poop more normal (I've been out all day) but still hasn't left her bed. She drinks but won't eat so that will do for her soon I guess. She stands if disturbed and offered food and feet are flat. Not enough time for pathology on poop but thanks Ma...

Thanks for your interest, but we really can't fathom this one out. Briefly: Never left her bed today. Comb rosy again Sitting with toes in clench Gets up with toes open and feet flat if some nice food arrives Awake and aware with bright eyes. Yellow watery poop. No 'pulsing' or beak breathing. Old a...

Thanks all. She did a strange yellow poo and took herself off to bed. Hopefully that was the basis of a yolk? We'll see in the morning and all advice is understood.

Cheers

Mike

One of our last two is in trouble today - off her feet, off her food, purple comb. Eyes and nose clean and clear. Tail down. She is sleepy but responsive. Rebecca sees them at laying time more than I do, and is sure she is egg bound despite not laying for 6 months plus. The other hen suddenly produc...