Poorly Chooks

Yesterday they Martha and Kirsty put themselves to bed at about 4pm (a good 4 hours earlier than usual). This morning when we opened up the Eglu they weren’t the slightest bit interested in coming out to feed (usually it’s a mad scramble to get to the feeding station). Lola did emerge, but looked a little lost and confused without her friends.

When I got home from work they were still in the Eglu – it certainly didn’t look as though they’d moved at all. But I also saw that there were rather a lot of tiny moving light-coloured specks on their feathers. I’m thinking they’ve got lice

So we’ve given them a good dusting with Diatomaceous Earth and given the Eglu a thorough cleaning. (During which we made them get up for a bit, and they did at least have a bit of a drink.) Once the Eglu was dry and back together, Kirsty and Martha soon toddled back to bed.

A poorly chicken is not a happy sight – tail all droopy, head all shrunken into her neck

Oh, and there’s the droppings… I can see that chicken droppings could emotionally be just like dirty nappies. (And if you’ve never had a newborn infant whose speciality is converting milk into chopped spinach, just don’t worry about it… )

Update: Much better this morning – Martha and Lola ran straight to the feeding station, and Kirsty came out, tail all perky, but decided that she’d rather munch on bedding than food. Still no eggs, but I’ll settle for healthy chooks

seven comments:

Oh get well soon chooks. That is really sad.

Sounds like they are getting lots of TLC, though.

Big Ruth () (link) - 22 May '07 - 21:23

Sending healthy thoughts to your chooks!!

Chris () (link) - 23 May '07 - 03:13

Poor chooks. Glad they’re looking better.

Pigwotknits () (link) - 23 May '07 - 11:32

Do the chooks have a pile of dirt or sand where they can take a dust bath? That helps with the parasites. Plus it’s fun to watch (although mine are destroying my flower beds….)

Hope they feel better!

jessie () (link) - 23 May '07 - 11:41

Poor, poor chucks! I’ve heard lice, fleas and the like can be quite ‘draining’ and make animals quite poorly, so hopefully they will be feeling bright and perky again soon x

Louise () (link) - 23 May '07 - 16:38

Poor things I hope that they are feeling better!!

Mandy () (link) - 23 May '07 - 18:14

Poor poorly hens. I’d been wondering how things were going with them. Glad to hear that they’ve perked up!

rosie () (link) - 23 May '07 - 23:16

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