Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: heatherhsp on November 02, 2010, 16:21
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Our lovley old hen Bella has been got by something on Saturday evening. (a dog or stoat? no foxes around,) She was fine at 5ish...the we found her in a heap it around 7pm.
To cut a 3 day story short, she still can't control her head very well - well hardly at all, it's right on the floor most of the time, and she seems now to be able to pick it up in a jerky way. We have been able to get water into her, and I've tried to slowly syringe a bit of milky egg (which she would love normally as a rare treat).
We're very upset and wonder if it's cruel, but each day she's still alive and slightly better. Though I suppose she isn't really, as she must be starving. He neck is black and blue, but no obvious puncture wounds...
I know what the vet will say...
But as she's survived this long, I think she deserves a chance at least.What do you think? Any feeding advice? Thanks Heather
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I would have got her to the vet sharpish, I really would. If you think there's a chance for her why not take her ? She could be given pain relief, anti-inflammatory and antibiotics, or she could be despatched to stop her suffering
Sorry to hear about your girl, it's very upsetting :(
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Oh I am so sorry :( How horrible for you.
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Oh you poor thing. I know just what you are going through, and believe me, I know the pain you are feeling for your girl.
I would honestly say that its a bit worrying that Bella cant hold her head up after 3 days. Even after extreme shock, she should have started to improve a bit by now.
I think that you will know what the right decision is, its just having the courage to make it.
Im sending you my very best wishes Heather, and all the luck in the world.
Maryx
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I'm so sorry to hear about you lovely hen Bella. I think that if I was you I would give her one more day and then humanely dispatch her for her own good as she sounds like she is suffering. However you are the only ones who can make that final decision.
We are thinking of you.
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Im sorry to hear of your Poor Chook,
I agree she's lasted this long, i think she deserves a chance.. Only you can deside when enough is enough, But at least if you Do deside to Dispatch her, you will know you did everything you could.
If you don't have any Anti inflammatory at hand try this, get a mixer or liquidiser and put in one to 2 cloves of garlic, and a One inch square of Fresh root Ginger, 2 Table spoons of Water and half a Spoon of sugar, mix it into a paste and give it to her threw a dropper or syringe.. The Garlic is because its amongst other things a potent natural anti biotic, the ginger Because its a Natural Anti inflammatory, the water is to help make the paste and the sugar is to give a little energy and so the paste doesnt taste to bad :) i give this to my chooks and cats when they aint feeling very well.. Although the Cat protests more than the chooks hehe hope this Helps... after all, If nothing else it can't hurt to try :)
Good luck and all the best with your poorly Girl
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She sounds badly bruised. No punctures so no need for infection worries from bite. She sounds to be improving. Is she's warm and you talk to her so she feels safe, then warm water with asprin and sugar at regular intervals is likely to work. Cat food when she's ready. Several times we've had birds which have been attacked by dogs and where there are no wounds this seems to work even though they appear near to death to begin with. HTH
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Bella is still the same this morning. She has had quite a big drink. I'm taking her to see the vet at 10. I hope he can help. She is a very old hen, but amazingly strong still.
Thanks for all your help...
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I'm glad to hear she's going to the vet and I hope there's something that can be done to either put her to rights or end her suffering
Good luck, and do let us know how she gets on :)
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Well...Bella has had an injection. She amazed me by holding her head up most of the time at the vet's! She has just eaten a little moistened chick crumb (better than nothing eh?) and having a nap now, in a box on my kitchen table. :closedeyes:
He says if she continues to improve - good. If she gets worse or stays the same by Friday, she should be put to sleep. :(
Fingers crossed.... Thanks again everybody
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Fingers crossed !! She sounds a tough old bird and lets hope she keeps getting better.
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Are you sure she was attacked ? What was the evidence of that ?
I'm wondering if she had a small stroke.
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Actually the vet did find a tiny wound. He thought something had had hold of her. His guess was a dog. Poor Bella, as he was giving her a good examination, her feathers were all falling out... :(
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She could be moulting too, lots of TLC and good food. She's a strong girl :)
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Ill be crossing everything for the next few days, hoping that your baby makes a full recovery.
Positive vibes coming your way from over the channel!!
Mary.
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I'm really relieved to hear she saw a vet and I hope she makes a full recovery. She's still hanging in there so that might be a good sign :)
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After having several losses recently my heart goes out to you. Good Luck
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how is she today? Chookies LOVE mealworms and they are packed with protein, and chopped yolk of a boiled egg. I hope she makes it, she is trying so hard to stay with you, but please dont let her suffer just cos you dont want the vet to put her to sleep,y you can take her back and just ask the vet to give her more pain relief if you feel she needs it.
My fingers are crossed for her.
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Update on Bella.
Amazingly Bella is standing upright and seems much more lively today. She's eating very little, but some, but only appears to be able to eat or drink when I hold her head at the moment. She seems very calm, but sudenly seem to have these spasms.
She can't walk forwards at all yet (maybe by tomorrow?).
What do you think? Thanks everybody for your concern. Let's see what tomorrow brings....
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Oh good luck and keep us posted :)
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update?? tempt her with some mealworms, they adore them, and it will give her some protein. :tongue2: yum
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Bella has been very calm today. She's holding her head up quite well,though crooked.
She still needs help to eat or drink,and can only walk backwards. Saying that she seems to be able to get herself back into her tempory bed.
As for mealworms, I'll go and get some tomorrow. (We are a long way from anywhere, so I hope I'm successful- or else I'll order online)
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Got the mealworms, but Bella wasn't too interested.
She is happier though... and walking forwards a little, though it is a bit surgey. She's also managed to take herself into the hen house twice. Jumping through the pop hole took a couple of attempts, but she got there! :D
Also our other hen Broody,attacked Bella for some reason - perhaps she didn't recognise her? I
shooed her away,but a bit later she came again,and Bella went for her! A little scrap followed,but since, Broody has walked right next to her and peace is in order again. Bella was the more dominant one previously, so perhaps having been apart for a few days the pecking order was being re-established? Hope they'll be okay.
In any case,Bella has much more energy now, even if she's all crooked...
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Go Bella. What a little fighter she is. So glad she is on the mend. Its truly amazing how strong they can be isnt it?
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Bella is walking forwards today!! Still not eating well though... But she looks miles better and is with our other hen, mouching about in the sun! :D
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Oh that is brilliant news. Keep us posted wont you? Ill look every day for an update.
Mary.
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Update! Bella is doing really well, and is feeding herself at last!!! :D
She still looks a bit crooked and holds her head at a funny angle - but less so I think. I'm so happy, and really didn't think she's ever be able to feed properly again.
She's also very clearly in charge and bossing our other hen again!
The only problem for her is that she can't make it up onto her bar at night to roost. She's sleeping in a box with straw. I know she'd rather be up as she is trying every evening. Should I put her on? Any suggestions folks?
I'm so, so happy that we didn't have her put to sleep. And more importantly, she seems to be very happy again! :)
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is there anyway you can build a ramp for her or steps so she can get up and down? Often the top hen has the highest roosting place and she may feel she will lose this position. If there is a ramp/steps all the way along the perch she won't injure herself getting down - either that of see if you can make the perch really low for all them.
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There is a ramp already, but it's at one side - perhaps if it was widened and a little edge put on it? Her vision seems to have suffered, or her eye/ foot/ beak co-ordination.
Will make an amendment today and see what happens. Cheers for that Joyful...
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fingers crossed :)
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Good luck, Bella! :)
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Aah bless Bella. She really is a little fighter! Great news.
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How is she doing now? She is some special little lady!
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Come on Bella. Go girl go.
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Actually Bella is doing very well! She walks in a very unique way and can't co-ordinate her sight and pecking very well- but she can feed very well from a container or if there's no need to be very accurate! :)
Steve made a very accessible and safe route up to the bar in their house, but so far she hasn't gone up. He also put a low bar up, but she's sleeping in her makeshift box on the floor, which is fine, but I feel sorry for the two off them seperated all night! I think I'll lift her up tonightand see what happens? What do you think?
I haven't seen Bella drinking at all, but she refuses when I try to coax her, and she's spending a few hours everyday along with Broody and the ducks on the river bank, so I suppose she must be drinking. She does look amazingly well anyway!
Thanks for your kind thoughts folks. When my new camera charger arrives, I'll take a pic of her :D
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Glad to hear that she continues to improve. What a relief for you :) For Bella too :lol: