Quivering chicken
by Judy
Quivering chicken: We had a hen disappear while out in the yard, suspect a hawk. Another hen was found hunkering down and quaking. I thought she was perhaps traumatized by the hawk, and would recover. A week later she was still hunkering and quaking, not eating or drinking well. I separated her from the flock and she has improved somewhat after forcing water laced with vitamin/probiotic (with an eyedropper) and encouraging her to eat. She walks better and wants to join the flock, but still quivers at times and sits a lot. A chicken owning friend thinks the quivering means she's in pain, but we could find no injury. It's been over 2 weeks now. Any thoughts? Answer It sounds like the TLC you are giving her is helping and time is helping. She is still alive and getting better! Chickens don’t really do well alone. Instead of returning her to the flock, you might pick a gentle chicken companion for her while is away. This could having a calming effect, if she sees the other hen (not a rooster) go about her chicken business of eating and drinking and scratching around the pen or cage you have separated her in. It’s possible that removing her from the flock is causing her a bit of stress. Hawks usually leave puncture marks on their attempted victims, so this doesn’t sound like a hawk attack. If it was a dog there might be some bruising internally. If you think she is in pain I would check with your local veterinarian and see if there is any over the counter pain medication that is safe for a chicken. |