Keeping hens and ducks chat.

edwink

My little Biscuit has not been herself yesterday and today. I can't see anything obvious that is going on with her except her old age. Yesterday she came out okay in the morning and ate some breakfast but when I went up to let her out of the run she just stood there looking at me. Normally she comes running over to see me especially if I've got something nice for her to eat. I had her little pot of cheese spread which she loves and she did take one tiny blob from my finger but didn't want a 2nd lot then turned around and walked away from me. I placed the cheese spread pot near her so she could help herself if she wanted to. I went back out later and she had eaten a little more of it. But, she stayed in the run all day which isn't like her.

Today I opened the run and she just sat there so I went over to her and she got up and moved away from me. I patted her on her bottom feathers to encourage her to the door which worked and she walked slowly out but definitely wanted to go back in as she kept turning around to face me and walk back in. I continued to encourage her and she went and sat in front of our summerhouse which she usually does. I went off and got her some corn on the cob and took it to her but she wouldn't eat it whilst I was there even though I broke a few pieces of corn off it to encourage her as I know she loves sweetcorn. I moved away from her and watched her from a distance and she did slowly eat some of the corn, thankfully.

I am wondering if she feels lethargic since the recent heatwave. Boy, it has been so hot here! She is molting at the moment and that does put a strain on them as they need to produce new feathers for the winter.

Has anyone else found their hen not being themselves lately because of the heat?

Edwink x

Cheery_Daff

Aw, poor little Biscuit. Thinking of you both, and sending positive beaky vibes and virtual treats xx Do let us know how she's getting on xx

edwink

Cheery_Daff said:

Aw, poor little Biscuit. Thinking of you both, and sending positive beaky vibes and virtual treats xx Do let us know how she's getting on xx

Of course I will Cheery, Thank you x

starnac

Aw poor Biscuit. I do hope it's just the weather. One of mine did something similar this morning. She just stood there while her sisters gobbled their breakfast like they hadn't been fed in a week. I picked her up to check her and she protested very loudly to being picked up which she doesn't normally do. They are all well accustomed to being picked up and handled. I'm hoping she's just a bit grumpy this morning. I will check on her once the kids have gone to school and DH is in the office working. 

edwink

Thank you for your best wishes for Biscuit, Cheery, and Starnac.  She seems ok and as I've already said nothing is jumping out at me with anything being wrong with her. She is eating and drinking which we are sure of because we are giving her a set amount of food and there is always roughly the same left over, which is good. She stayed in the run yesterday but I wasn't concerned because it is big enough and on checking up on her regularly she was moving about and not just sitting in the same places. I encouraged her out today, this time not by patting her bottom feathers but just by walking behind her and heading for the door and that worked.

She stayed out all day and walked back to the run and put herself to bed next to her pretend hen cushion, bless her. I am thinking now it was maybe the heat, plus she is molting. So hopefully all is fine with her but I will continue to keep a close eye on her as I have been this past week.

Starnac...I hope your little hen is ok.  Please, do let us know how she is.  It is a worry when they appear to not be themselves, isn't it?

Edwink x

starnac

She was fine Edwink. She wandered off about 5 minutes later into the coop and layed an egg. Which is unusual as they normally lay mid morning, so maybe she was just prepping for that? Who knows. She's been fine since though. 

Good to hear that Biscuit is doing well too

edwink

starnac said:

She was fine Edwink. She wandered off about 5 minutes later into the coop and layed an egg. Which is unusual as they normally lay mid morning, so maybe she was just prepping for that? Who knows. She's been fine since though. 

Good to hear that Biscuit is doing well too

Great to hear your little hen is ok too Starnac.

What a relief for both of us.

Edwink x

starnac

Yes definitely. 

My parents kept chickens when I was growing up do it was always a dream of mine to have my own. It's been a steep learning curve since we rescued them last year as I realised I got all the nice parts and none of the stress of looking after them when I was younger. 

edwink

Satrnac...  We never had chickens when we were growing up but I planned that one day when we found a house with enough land we would get maybe twelve rescue girls to start with, which we did. That twelve ended up being 30 because we had 9  ducks and 21 hens, and it became addictive 🤣🤣🤣 It was fantastic having so many because wherever I looked there was one of my feathered friends. I spent hours upon hours out there with them. 

And, to think I was terrified of anything that had feathers eh? Seriously I was so afraid of anything like that and wild birds that flew. Keeping hens and ducks made me conquer my fears which was great. 

I'm sad I'm just down to one now but after 14 years Mr Edwink and I would like a break and to be able to go away a bit. I will pick up where we left off again and fill all the spaces with feathered friends again.

Biscuit is back to her old self, bless her I am pleased to say. I was worried for her but all is good, thankfully.

Edwink x

SisterAnna

edwink said:

Satrnac...  We never had chickens when we were growing up but I planned that one day when we found a house with enough land we would get maybe twelve rescue girls to start with, which we did. That twelve ended up being 30 because we had 9  ducks and 21 hens, and it became addictive 🤣🤣🤣 It was fantastic having so many because wherever I looked there was one of my feathered friends. I spent hours upon hours out there with them. 

And, to think I was terrified of anything that had feathers eh? Seriously I was so afraid of anything like that and wild birds that flew. Keeping hens and ducks made me conquer my fears which was great. 

I'm sad I'm just down to one now but after 14 years Mr Edwink and I would like a break and to be able to go away a bit. I will pick up where we left off again and fill all the spaces with feathered friends again.

Biscuit is back to her old self, bless her I am pleased to say. I was worried for her but all is good, thankfully.

Edwink x

Great to know the Biscuit is doing okay edwink.  You are so good with your hens. I follow your thread all the time and love the stories you and others post on here. Some are so heartwarming, so thank you.

Keep up the good work all of you.