Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: mick.c on December 30, 2007, 12:16
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We have four chickens of different breeds , one of our brown birds (either a warren or Loman trad) has gone very quiet and lethargic , she is not scratching around the run but is standing alone ,very still and hunched up . It appears as if her feathers are puffed up , she is often closing her eyes showing no interest at all she is showing no signs of illness her comb does appear paler than normal, this has come on over night, the other 3 birds are acting normally. Any ideas?
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Do you know if the bird concerned has laid recently Mick?
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I asked as it sounds like she is egg bound to me by what you have described. You can feel and look to see if she is egg bound as it would be noticeable. Be careful as breaking the egg could scare her enough to cause her severe stress.
Is she walking funny or if shes not walking at all has she got her tail pointing downwards? that is a sign of being egg bound. Is she young as new layers are more likely to become egg bound.
If you check her and you know she is egg bound, move her away from the other hens some where she is warm to relax her muscles and give her some water with dissolved sugar in it.
Get back to me as soon as you can and i will do my best to help you.
Jonny
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It's hard to tell if she has layed lately , we know the Bueno nero is laying but it could be any of the other 3 . Yes she is standing awkwardly , I will get the wife to examine her as she has a gentler touch than me , thanks for the info will keep you posted.
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Thanks, let me know as soon as you can and i will give you some more information should you need it
Jonny
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The wife examined her but she does not appear to be egg bound , however she is still showing all the signs , so we have seperated her given her some sugar water ,the only difference between her and the others is she has not pooped all afternoon. Will check in the morning as they are prolific poopers at night and let you know what is happening thanks again.
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How old is she Mick? I hate to say this, but often when one of ours stands like that, a few days later they are gone. Seems like for no apparent reason at times, but have you tried her with some apple cider vinegar in her water? Is she still drinking? or perhaps some cod liver oil in a drop of water.
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We are not sure on her age as she was a gift but she appears quite mature will give the cider vinegar a go tomorrow and take it from there thanks.
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How old is she Mick? I hate to say this, but often when one of ours stands like that, a few days later they are gone. Seems like for no apparent reason at times, but have you tried her with some apple cider vinegar in her water? Is she still drinking? or perhaps some cod liver oil in a drop of water.
That's what i was thinking as i was reading the posts grannieannie, check her back end, to see if there's any sign of white diarrhea
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has she had any stress or shock recently. my cockerel spent a few days shy in a corner with his head down after a fox attack, just an idea.
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I don't know that much about hen illnesses etc but could it just be that she's constipated or has some kind of blockage? (not eggbound as your wife has checked for that)
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Not very helpful I know, but there's a hundred and one reasons that could be responsible for the symptoms that you describe. With a bit of luck your chicken could be as right as rain tomorrow. We all have off days. :lol:
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Egg bound is the only thing i can fit with the symtoms.
Even with you saying about her not pooping much as it can build up behind the egg which is blocked.
Just wait a day or two and see how she goes im almost certain shes egg bound , post on here tomorrow and let everyone know how shes getting on.
Jonny
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If she's egg bound you should be able to feel the egg in her abdomen. Lubricating the vent and putting her in a warm place (some people recommend putting the hen over hot water to warm the vent with steamy air) could help.
You might consider egg peritonitis if she is an older girl, in which case her abdomen will be swollen too. This condition would require antibiotics to treat, but it often reoccurs.
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Thanks all for the help, she is much the same as yesterday eating and drinking a little. Have kept her isolated today will see what she is like in the morning and will try a few more of the tips you gave us , at least she doesn't seem any more lethargic ,will keep you posted .
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Sadly miss Lilly diddn't really get up this morning she crouched in a corner and died around midday thanks again for all the help, win some lose some.
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Oh Mick that's so sad :(
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:cry: Sad news :cry:
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So sorry Mick, you feel so helpless sometimes :(
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Bad start to the year mate. :(
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Im so sorry to hear that you did all you could
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I am very sorry Lots of love and hugs x :(
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Well you have discribed every symtom of a hen I have, only she is pooping water. She is very lathargic now, eating very little, drinking water, pale comb, big chest but nothing in it, light weight, not egg bound, not very old, gave her apple cider ving. for a month, no change, gave her pro-biotics for a month, now I'm giving her mineral oil in her water, and brought her inside today. She is very cold, want's to put her head under the other chickens during the day and at night, I even gave her yogert, no change. I'v ran out of ideas. She is the high ranking hen to, she keeps everyone in order even though she is sick. I didn't want to stress her by bringing her inside but I had to. oh forgot, wormed her about 3 months ago, after that she got sick. Bad timing, or the wormer did it, not sure. The other ones are fine, and I did them the same night. What do ya all think? :cry:
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I'd say she's very sick, and probably needs professional treatment.
Or culling :(
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I'd say theres only one thing to do :(
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I'd say theres only one thing to do :(
I didn't like to say that - but you're right :cry:
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oh dear how sad. hugs to both of you.
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Oh Betty, she sounds in a bad way. Hope she goes peacefully, it doesn't sound good. :cry:
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I notice she has a strange looking chest. It looks full but it's not. Could it be an air sac? When she eats bread or other little things I give her, she goes after it like she is starving, eats a little, and her chest gets blown up. I gave her the oil, does'nt seem to have made any differance yet. Her mouth or breath does't smell at all. She has been sitting around with puffed feathers and holds her head close to her shoulders, like she has no neck. This makes the chest apear to be large. I do feed alot of seeds like for birds, is that o.k. She hasn't went poo yet, She drinks water, alot. I can't put her down, she has been this way for a few months. I'll try to help her, and let nature take it's course. If ya all can think of something, I would try it. yf Betty
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If you can't do it yourself Betty, get someone competent to do it for you, its the right thing to do Hun :( :(
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She is suffering Betty :cry:
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If you can not do it you must take her to the vet, they will I am sure do the right thing for her.
She is not happy an is suffering, and so are you, you need to bring closure for her and yourself. You will be sad, but remember her as she was.
Good Luck and best wishes
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Its the last act of love you can do for her betty.
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Well, she seems to be doing better, after the mineral oil I gave her on Tuesday. She ate today and drank water. I think the baloon looking shape in her chest went down some. I'm sure you are right about putting her down, but she is eating and standing, she is more alert too. I'll see how she does by the weekend. Sorry, I'm going to see how she does for awhile. I'm going to get some minerals for her water next. o.k. I'll keep in touch. yf Betty
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Good luck, I hope that she recovers for you
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Fingers crossed Betty :)
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How is she doing betty, hope she's getting there :)