170 Comments

  1. Hi. Not sure if this is a health question, or more of a behavioural one. When Marjory is free ranging, she picks up twigs and long bits of grass, and puts them on her back. She seems happy and healthy, so I’m just wondering what she is up to. Any ideas? Thanks.

  2. Hello my lovely girl Joyce, has a massive swollen eye surround. I have opened it and looked for worms and pus bit couldn’t see any. It doesn’t smell and I can’t see any injury, it’s getting bigger by the day. Can you suggest anything please, should I lance it for the out side? Many thanks

    • It could be eye worms, infection or….

      She really needs to see a vet, this is a fairly serious problem that needs attention quickly if you are to save her eye.

  3. Hi, One of my three Black Rock hens, usually very active and lively, is hunched up and listless, and has an enlarged crop. I think the problem is Sour Crop. I have very carefully massaged her crop and drained most of the brown fluid – there was a lot of it – and she now seems a little more comfortable. This is my first encounter with the condition, and I’m not sure what to do next. Your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

    • If it is sour crop, there is usually a really bad smell. I would have a look at the article on sour crop on the poultrykeeper.com website which should give you some guidance. I haven’t really had experience of this condition.

  4. Hi one of my hens was looking very listless today I picked her up to look at her, tipped her slightly head down to look at her rear and loads of yellowing liquid came from her mouth. I massaged her tummy and more came!! I have never seen this before she is now sitting quietly in the box. I have wormed them all in the last couple of weeks with Flubenvet and all the others seem very healthy, any ideas please,

    • This could be a crop problem – Sour Crop or Blocked Crop. The poultrykeeper.com site has more information on these conditions, it’s outside the scope of this site.

  5. Hi there, popping in hoping you might see this and be able to provide some help… one of our 7 chickens is moulting badly. She’s in good spirits, lively and very hungry, but she’s lost a lot of her feathers and is looking ghastly. Her face and comb are pale. She’s certainly not low in the pecking order either – she’s the one that will go for a peck if anyone is near her when the corn is thrown. All 6 other chickens are looking absolutely normal – any idea what this could be? I’m baffled!

    • Moulting is a perfectly natural process. Chickens usually moult in the autumn but can moult at other times as well. It takes longer for older hens to get through the moult.
      Just try not to handle her when she is moulting and provide her with sufficient food (protein). The feathers are full of blood as they grow and she will be sensitive to touch.

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