Day 591: Signs of a poorly chicken

It's well known that poorly chickens hide their illnesses - otherwise they'll be attacked by the rest of their flock. But signs to watch out for are:

• sleepiness
• closed eyes (instead of being "beady eyed" - round and alert)
• droopy wings
• droopy tail
• standing still a lot
• off their food (they should scoff treats like corn!)
• pale/shrunk/purple comb.

For signs of respiratory problems or infection, add:

• shortness of breath
• runny eyes and/or nose
• rattly chest.

Poor Tallulah has all but the last sign in the first list and seems to be breathing heavily. She's also getting fat and her legs are wide apart so, when she does walk a few paces, she waddles like a duck.

So she's off to see our chicken vet this afternoon - I think she either has a stuck or infected egg or a tumour, both of which are very common with ex-farm hens whose laying tackle is overworked and pack up early. Tallulah's about 3 years old (she was rehomed at 72 weeks and we've had her for almost 18 months) and sadly, that's a good age for a working girl - about half the lifespan of a pure breed hen (doesn't lay in the winter and who can live up to 7 or 8 years) and less than the 4-5 years you'd expect from a hybrid (who lays year-round).

Anyway, you can see for yourself... (click pic to enlarge)

I hope this isn't her swan song! Wish us luck but, if it comes to the worst, I'm honestly comforted by knowing that she's lived free with us and as a REAL chicken, scratching around and sunbathing in the sun, for as long as she was locked up on the farm and has been thoroughly spoilt during her lovely retirement. She loved sprouts, mealworms and corn - but not in that order!