Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: joodith on March 11, 2011, 08:12
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I joined this forum a few minutes ago looking for answers to my poor sick girl, Vera. She's about 18 months old and has always been free-range with her friend GP (Greedy Pig, as my husband calls her), but the more timid of the two. On Monday she was fine, puttering away in the paddock while I sat and read my book, keeping a watchful eye out for Mr Fox; she sat in her dustbath, enjoying the warmth of the sun for a while, and then it was time for them to go back in their pen. She went straight into her house, which was most unusual, as she'd usually stay out and play until dusk. By Tuesday she was becoming lethargic and not interested in her treats. She has deteriorated through the week, becoming hunched and not sitting down. Her comb is pale pink and as she hasn't laid for about two weeks I thought she was eggbound, however yesterday I read about Sour Crop so proceeded accordingly. She produced a stream of stinky slime; she then ate a little warm mash and drank some fresh water, but has stayed in her house. Oh - I've also noticed her head, on either side of her comb is slightly swollen.
This morning her crop is empty, she's still hunched, and has taken only a couple of her favourite treats.....soft grapes. When I cuddle her she's warm, her eyes are bright, but she's obviously not the Vera I know and love.
One chap who keeps chickens says to put her down, but although I don't like to think of her suffering, I don't want to be too hasty in case it's something simple that can be treated. Has anyone out there got any advice?
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Yes, take her to the vets for a check up.
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vets straight away at the moment she is suffering so therefor needs treating. She could have a broken egg inside her and will need antibiotics. What made you think she had sour crop? What did her breath smell like before you treated her?
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vets straight away at the moment she is suffering so therefor needs treating. She could have a broken egg inside her and will need antibiotics. What made you think she had sour crop? What did her breath smell like before you treated her?
Hi Joyfull.....yes, her breath was smelly. I have spoken to the vet and he 's reluctant to look at her.....says he doesn't "do" chickens!
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If he doesn't 'do' chickens, I would have a phone around for other vets in the area who aren't selective in their patient preferences and never use that vet again.
I would really encourage you to seek a vet for her, if she has been unwell for this amount of time, something is definitely wrong and won't go away on it's own accord.
Good luck with finding a decent vet - they are out there. Where abouts are you? Someone from this forum maybe local to you and can recommend a vet.
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If he doesn't 'do' chickens, I would have a phone around for other vets in the area who aren't selective in their patient preferences and never use that vet again.
I would really encourage you to seek a vet for her, if she has been unwell for this amount of time, something is definitely wrong and won't go away on it's own accord.
Good luck with finding a decent vet - they are out there. Where abouts are you? Someone from this forum maybe local to you and can recommend a vet.
Thanks Alan.....I'm in West Sussex near Halsemereand Godalming
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is there one on here near you?
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=26140.0
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Have you tried Woodland Veterinary Centre - http://www.woodlandvetcentre.co.uk/Surgery-Haslemere.html
They have information on their site about chicken keeping, so I assume they will treat chickens as well? I hope that isn't the one that said they don't do chickens?
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Have you tried Woodland Veterinary Centre - http://www.woodlandvetcentre.co.uk/Surgery-Haslemere.html
They have information on their site about chicken keeping, so I assume they will treat chickens as well? I hope that isn't the one that said they don't do chickens?
Thank you both so much......I've just spoken to someone at the Woodland Vet Centre which is within striking distance, and they will see Vera later today. Seems they are chicken friendly!
Thank you again.....I'll keep you posted.
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fingers crossed for her (and you) :)
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Hope it goes well, do let us know how she fairs.
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Good Luck and keep us posted!
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How did you get on with Vera?
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How did you get on with Vera?
Hello alancane....sorry for the delay. When I got the vet with Vera there was an emergency so she couldn't be seen! So had to bring her home and cope the best I could. I've had her in a box in the house all weekend, sitting on a towel wrapped round a hot water bottle; she's taken a little yogurt, mashed hard boiled egg and water. The swelling on her head seems to have gone down, but her crop is really enllarged and squishy, and there's an occasional bubbling sound. Other than than she's bright-eyed and curious about her surroundings.
I'm going back to the vet as soon as they're open this morning.....I can't give up on her!
More later......
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Just back from the vet who has given Vera a good check up....she's prescribed a course of antibiotics....all I have to hope is that Vera obliges by drinking her water! The vet isn't exactly sure what the problem is but reckons to start with the anti-b's and see where we go. So she's (Vera not the vet) is installed in her box with her fresh towel and hot water bottle, and all I can do is watch over her and hope for the best.
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I hope she's picked up by now :)
if their crops are full they can be quite big and squishy so it could be just full as she's eaten, and is normal
Good to keep an eye on things though and the smelly breath situation.
Glad the forum was able to point you in the direction of a poultry vet :)
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fingers crossed for her, keep us posted xx
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I cannot believe the difference in Vera! I kept her in her box in the spare bedroom last night and this morning was greeted by furious banging from inside the box....her ladyship demanidng attention! As soon as I lifted the lid she stood upright and gazed into my face as if to say "Well, where have you been? I want my breakfast, and I want it now!".....unbelievable. Her crop has gone right down, her eyes are bright and her whole posture is more upright; she's taking her medicated water well, and has also devoured some mashed hard-boiled egg, a small pieve of boiled potato and several small pieces of apple which I cunningly dipped in her water and fed to her.
She's also been out in the paddock for a rummage this afternoon, but I will bring her in overnight again, just to ensure she has more of her anti-b's. Thank you all so much for your input, especially alancane who put me in the direction of a chicken-friendly vet, a lovely young woman who really seems to know her stuff. The cost, by the way, wasn't nearly as much as I thought it would be....consultation just under £15.00 and the meds about £13.....worth every penny to see my girl looking so muchmore like her old self. :)
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so please she is perking up :D
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Phew! So glad to hear she is feeling much better :)
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That's really great new Joodith and I am pleased that Vera is picking up nicely. Sounds like she has a great mum looking after her!
At least you have a decent vet now - I think I would write a letter to the other one explaining the situation and how they lost your business. In this day, they should be developing the skills of their vets to get more business, not turn it away because of their ignorance or lack of skill or knowledge.
Really pleased Joodith. :)
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Thanks for all your help and encouragement. It's great to know there's a network of helpful and freindly chicken lovers out there! :)
Just a quick Vera Update.....she continues to improve but isn't back to her old self yet as she's still a little hunched. However, she is taking more food and I'm continuing my cunning ploy of soaking some in her medicated water and hand feeding her a couple of times a day. Yesterday was such a lovely day I went down to the paddock and let her and GP out for a rummage......Vera, though, preferred snuggling onto my lap where she shoved herself into my coat and had a snooze! She's now back in the hen house with her friend GP who is laying again!
Whoever said chickens don't have feelings and can't empathise obviously hasn't spent any time with them!