Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Binty on October 17, 2008, 21:05
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Help! I got my lady's last week from a local farmer who was clulling his flock for the winter. My 4 girls are only 23wks and one of them (Tiny Tim) is lame. When I got her she was also very thin. When I got them off the farmer he handed me two dog food sacks each with two chickens in. I think she may have hurt herself while in the sack. She has started putting weight on and is eating well, she just cant stand on one of her legs properly. She keeps stretching her leg and wing. I have checked her leg there is no swelling or heat and I cant find any flesh wounds. I have fallen in love with my girls and really enjoy spending time with them I am just really worried about her. Sorry to rattle on but I just dont know where else to turn. :cry:
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Hi Binty and welcome to the forum (dont think we've met :D )
Going back to your 4 hens - 23 week old and culling? thats unusual -normally a farmer would reduce stock after about 18mths when laying isn't adequete for commercial purposes.
I am a little suspicious about the motives for cullling so young, I think in my nature Im afraid! :?
Now your hen does it look like she is unbalanced? and is she using opposite wing to help steady herself? It sounds a little like a nasty disease called "Mareks" which initially affects various nerves causing imbalance whilst the bird may be eating fine -dont panic worst case scenario. Saying that it doesn't look like great care of the birds and it could simply be stress and a poor diet causing the problem. Have a look at their combs -are they nice and red? if pale and shriveled looking could indicate a nutritional problem as at 23weeks would expect them to look nice and pink.
Keep a close eye on her -particulary how she moves around and also her droppings do they look normal -browny green,firm with a white cap as a high wormload may cause her thiness. She just could be a runt which is why the farmer was going to cull Im afraid.
Keep us posted!
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how are its eyes? Funny looking pupils, bright or tired looking?
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Hi Binty. Welcome aboard. :D
My first thought was how strange a culling at 23 weeks was. It does sound as though he may have singled these ones out for some other reason, but that doesn't mean you can't give them a good home.
If you can manage to post some photos of them, that may give some extra clues. :)
If you're not sure how, THIS (http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=19476) help topic should assist. :)
Rob 8)
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Cut your losses now before they become any greater. You owe it to youself to start your poultry experience by keeping healthy chickens from the outset.
Please read this. http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=19629
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bodger
you seem a bit negative today...........?
whilst you are probably right in your advice, i am not too sure about the bedside manner :o
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I'm sorry for appearing to be heartless, but I think I'm actually being very positive. I want as many people to keep chickens as possible and I don't want new comers being put off this very rewarding hobby by starting with an extremley negative experience.
I'm afraid, that I've never been a fluffy bunny. :lol:
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Thanks for your replies I didnt make myself clear before, the farmer is retiring due to ill health (he is 75 and been "working the land" all his life, he was finding homes for as many chickens as he could, most of his old stock has now been culled and he rehomed as much of his young stock as possible. Back to Tiny Tim, her combs is nice and red and her eyes are bright. She is sat down resting at the moment but when she stands up she will stretch the bad leg and the wing on the same side almost as if she is trying to stretch out a muscle. She isnt having any balance problemss
Thanks for all your help, I love reading this forum everyone seems really helpful and friendly.
:lol:
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It sounds typical of Mareks.
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Could it be soft tissue damage ??
I thought balance problems were a symptom ?
Rob 8)
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It sounds rather like Marek's to me too :cry:
But you'd loose nothing by giving her losts of tlc with the hope she may recover.
But be warned if it is Marek's she could always be a source or infection to other birds :(
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It sounds rather like Marek's to mee too :cry:
But you;d loose nothing by niving her losts ofntlc with the hope she may recover.
But be warned if it is Marek's she could always be a source or infection to other birds :(
and if that wasn't quite clear auntie actually said "giving her lots of TLC" bless her probably needs a little oil.... :lol (or a bit too well oiled!!! :lol: :lol: )
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Isolation is important then. And monitor closely. :)
Best to keep a realistic outlook throughout. :?
Rob 8)
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Does this mean she will have to be killed? will the others get it too?? I am now going to search the net for Mareks I have got books but there is not a lot of info. :cry: :cry:
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and if that wasn't quite clear auntie actually said "giving her lots of TLC" bless her probably needs a little oil.... :lol (or a bit too well oiled!!! :lol: :lol: )
:roll: I was trying to dish up a curry while typing :roll:
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Multi tasking isnt it great :lol: :lol:
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I think I will separate her tomorrow and see how it goes will keep you posted.
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Look forward to some hopeful news. :D
Rob 8)
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fingers crossed for you binty! will be waiting for any news!
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Just thought I would give a quick update Peggy (formally known as Tiny Tim) is doing really well, she is still limping but she can now put some weight on her leg and she has started laying!! :lol: :lol:
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I'm sorry for appearing to be heartless, but I think I'm actually being very positive. I want as many people to keep chickens as possible and I don't want new comers being put off this very rewarding hobby by starting with an extremley negative experience.
I'm afraid, that I've never been a fluffy bunny. :lol:
i agree with what you are saying bodger , i know i am still very new at keeping chickens but i'm also glad that i went via a rescue centre to get my girls at least i know they were checked over first by experienced ppl ,. if i had a negative experience by getting ill or dodgy birds the first time then i think it would of put me of , but i must say i take my hat of to other ppl that are doing this an just getting birds from anywhere they can at the end of the day they all desevre a good home .
hope your girly is better soon i have a sick girl a its scary
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Great news Binty ! :D
Well done for sticking with her. I'm sure she'll repay you 10 fold.
Rob 8)
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grate news Binty, she will love you forever and we all seem to bond to the odd ones.
Em :D
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Cut your losses now before they become any greater. You owe it to youself to start your poultry experience by keeping healthy chickens from the outset.
Please read this. http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=19629
i stand with bodger here ,there are to many folks who are starting out keeping birds and getting ripped off afore they know the joys of having them .even myself i have had breeders and poultry specialists try to sell me .and even succeed in giving me " dodo " infected birds , i have even heard of some chicken keepers getting in battery birds feeding them on intensive feed for a few weeks and then selling them on for stupid prices .so take notice of what bodgers post says ..... buyer beware :wink:
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I'm afraid, that I've never been a fluffy bunny. :lol:
aww bodgy boo, you are a fluffy buny really :D
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but 'on topic'
sooo agree with bodgy and munty.
getting rscued chooks is rewarding and wonderful thing to do.
but if you've not kept poultry before i'd always suggest going for a few healthy birds first.
you will learn so much from them, and more importantly learn what is normal, so that at a later date you'll spot whats not normal.