Chicken Question

[rsvp]

am looking after a friend's chickens and a bit worried about the silkie. It stayed in one of the hen houses most of the day and just doesn't look 'right' to me, slightly tatty and bit grubby looking. Have checked it's vent which looks okay, can't see any parasites and moved it into a seperate area cos I think it was being bullied and where I can check how much food it's having. To my knowledge it doesn't lay and there is no male in with them. Had a good feel over her and can't find much wrong other than she seems a bit thin. Am going to check her crop his evening to see if it's full.
I don't think she's egg bound as she isn't straining or looking sick or uncomfortable, just not too active.
I'd appreciate any ideas - many thanks

[Chipchopper]

To be honest, I think you could be right to be concerned.
I've looked after several breeds of fowl in the past and remember that the silkie bantams was always the most nervy/flighty of them all and the most difficult to get to go in the hen house for the night.
Maybe a tonic will help. are they old birds ?

[rsvp]

thanks chipchopper - what I've done is put her in her own part of the run (she can see all the other chickens but they can't get to her) - she seems much happier now and it's easier to monitor what she's eating. A couple of the other hens have gone broody so maybe she has too - she's very tame and quiet so maybe she wa being bullied. Anyway, thank you for the reply.

[Positivethinker]

Silkies are known to go broody a lot of the time, quite right to separate her. Keep an eye on her and make sure she's eating and drinking ok.

[rsvp]

Didn't know that Positivethinker, thank you for the advice - she certainly seems to be eating/drinking well and was much more active yesterday. Am keeping a beady eye on her!

[wildwood]

On the info supplied, you are probably right in assuming that it was being bullied. You appear to have done everything correctly and indeed expertly. It is heartening that someone is taking so good care of the chooks.

[Positivethinker]

You are a good hen sitter rsvp! Wish I'd had someone so helpful when I had my hens they are a bit of a tie but I loved them. They can live a long time if they're looked after well - and make lovely pets!

[rsvp]

Wildwood and Postivethinker she is a different hen this morning - out and about and doing proper chicken things. Thank you for your kind remarks.