[Catsmuvva]

Only a couple of days after burying poor Erica I notice that Rosie isn't too good.

She's another ex-bat but is not poorly in the same way. When I saw her sitting on the ground yesterday I didn't take too much notice, but wish I had. Today I saw her sitting in the shade gasping a bit but initially thought it was because of the heat. Then, when she got up to walk, I noticed she was quite slow so I checked her over.

Her abdomen is swollen and her vent is dripping & a bit smelly. Apart from that and the breathing she isn't showing any of the characteristic signs, i.e. head & tail drooping so I didn't spot it sooner. Maybe I was too preoccupied with what was going on with Erica.

I lost another of my girls a couple of years ago, one day fine, the next swollen up, etc, but still don't know what the problem was and neither did the vet who had little poultry experience.

Can anyone shed any light, please, and offer advice?

[Casey76]

It sounds like infected egg yolk peritonitis   which unfortunately has a dismal prognosis and is quite common in ex bats.

[bantam novice]

Oh fingers and toes crossed, Catsmuvva 
Keep us posted

[Catsmuvva]

Thanks - just looked it up in PP's A-Z & it says there's no treatment 

I separated her off from the others as soon as I picked up on her problem but as contagion isn't going to be an issue should I put her back in the ark with the others or do you think she'll be more happy on her own?

[Catsmuvva]

Aha - that dilemma has resolved itself!

Geraldine, Erica's running mate, is still a bit tetchy about going upstairs in the ark to join the other girls and, as Rosie is such a quiet natured girl, I've put Geraldine in with her for the night...

[Catsmuvva]

Sad to say Rosie didn't make it through the night  

She came to me in March last year and has led a happy life since then, a quietly confident girl, never one to bully new arrivals and not one to squabble.

R.I.P Rosie

[ANHBUC]

Sorry to hear your sad news.  Rosie had the best care she could have asked for and a happy retirement I am sure.

[Casey76]

Sorry to hear that Catsmuvva At least you gave her a wonderful year, in which she could be a chicken

[bantam novice]

So sorry Casmuvva.  You have at least given her a lovely year to feel the sun on her back and sratch the earth under her feet.  RIP Rosie

[LittleRedHen]

I am so very sorry that she has passed on.  Please don't lose heart, as you gave her a wonderful life. 

[cejx]

So sorry.  I've 5 ex bats which I've had for 7 months now, and am dreading the time.  However, I am proud - and you should be that you had the courage not to take the easy option - and to give these sad little ladies a stab at a normal chickeny life - as millions of chickens do not have such luck. xx

[GrannieAnnie]

Very sad CM, but these rescued girls are so much luckier than the thousands that don't get to live a life as a real chicken!

RIP Rosie!

[Aidy]

Sad news indeed and I am sorry for your loss but she has experienced something with you which I am sure made her happy. Batts are not easy to look after.
I am fighting a battle now with one of mine and touch wood, I hope I am winning it, she is back to tail upright, feeding, scratching and generally looking better but they sure know how to make you work.

[sneezer]

Sorry to here about Rosie at least she had a great year!I lost one of my rescue hens about a month ago to egg peritonitus, Rosie looked a lovely hen x

[jinty1911]

Am soooo sad for you.  We know how you feel. (((Hugs)))