[TanyaGibson]

Hi folks,

This is my first time here, so apologies if I'm in the wrong forum . . but I'm desperate!  My 16-month old girl is off her food and water and has lost a lot of weight - she's only about 1.2 kg.  She's very tired - can only walk a few steps before she sits down (up until last week she was running around the back yard like the other girls).  I've taken her to the vet (not a poultry specialist) who tested for parasites, but couldn't see anything untoward - and I have not seen any worms in her poo (the girls are wormed regularly) .  Toffee (my girl) is on antibiotics and I'm feedings her a glucose/water syrup every 2 hours during the day/evening (20 ml each go from 6am to 10pm).  Toffee is isolated from the other girls, none of whom are showing any symptoms.  The vet thinks Toffee could be dehydrated (hence the water/glucose syrup every few hours).  Can anyone help?  Toffee is a pet, not just a chook, and I'll be devestated if she doesn't pull through!   Thank you for your help,
Tanya

[ANHBUC]

Hello and welcome to the site Tanya Gibson.

It is difficult to say what is wrong with your hen.  You may be better taking her to a poultry friendly vet who will have more experience than your current vet.  There is a list of poultry friendly vets by area on HERE and HERE 

What have you used to worm your hens?  Some things are only meant to prevent worms rather than get rid of them, you are best to treat them regularly with flubenvet. 

[pepsi100]

You could try mixing miash with warm water (make it a bit sloppy, so it gets some fluids)

I mixed in a bit of banana, cauliflower with mine

I still took it to the vet though (he gave him an injection, right as 9 pence next day)

My vet isnt a specialist though, but did a pretty good job, mine chook is up and running around fine now

Keep us updated how things go

[Debbieta]

If you can give an indication to where you are, someone might be able to recommend a vet to use with better poultry knowledge!
Best of luck though

[TanyaGibson]

Hi guys,

Thank you for your advice.  Toffee is now well on the road to recovery - seems she ate a jacaranda tree seed (which she has now passed) . . . after a course of antibiotics and poo-inducing mash she is up and about. 
I am grateful for your help - I live in regional South Australia so we are a bit short on vets with poultry experience here, so have to rely on remedies from those in the know such as yourselves!
Thanks again,
Tanya

[Sassy]

Glad it is all sorted and she is on the mend. We are very short of vets who know anything about poultry as well

Welcome to the site.

[ehs284]

Hi Tanya,
Glad all is now OK. Thank you for the update and information. I'm in UK, but have chicken-keeping relatives in Africa where Jacaranda is common. I knew that it is dangerous to cattle, but had no idea about chooks so I'll pass on your warning.
Best wishes