Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Blarney on February 11, 2011, 15:42
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We rehomed five ex bats on Saturday and they have already settled in well with my two other hens (not ex bats).
One of the new hens appears to be having problems with her breathing. She is standing and lifting her head as if she's about to crow but she's just closing her eyes and taking deep breaths, quite slowly, with her beak open. She isn't making any noise, there is no mucus, her nose is clear and she isn't coughing. All I can hear if I really listen close is her breathing - I mean she's not making much of a sound at all.
She is fairly bald on her back, her comb is huge, pale and floppy (I know why) and she sleeps away from the other hens, alone on a perch. I haven't seen her eat or drink but that doesn't mean she isn't; they are very scared when I go near them which is to be expected this early I guess.
Can someone please advise me on what to do?
Thanks!
Her name is Eleanor by the way.
x
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It could be a number of problems, best thing I would do is straight to the vet for there opinion, bats will get all sorts of problems I am afraid so be prepared to become good friends with your vet.
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My vet won't see them as they are not domesticated pets.
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HI
You could try and bring her into your house and keep her in a cosy box for a while, it will also give you a chance to see if she is eating and drinking, it might be a good idea to remove her from the others anyway incase she has got something that might be catching.
Was she ok when she first came as perhaps this could be due to stress too.
Good luck anyway :)
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Sounds as though it's time to hunt for a poultry-friendly vet - they do exist!
What about parrots and budgies? They are similar in construction to hens and they are definitely pets.
1-2-1 spoiling indoors sounds a cheeper option, though - and it will help her to be less afraid if your hands start to mean yummy treats where she can't run away.
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Could it be she is gaping? Could be gape worm but don't know where she would have caught it from. You could try and get some Flubenvet and put a little on a grape or something and see if that makes any difference. It does sound as if you need a chicken friendly vet though.
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take a look here to see if there is a vet near you:-
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=26140.0
also ask the rescue people if they know of a local vet - you do need one in case any of your birds get ill.
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Thanks everyone. I've brought her in so she can get some peace from the others.
I'll call my vets tomorrow and see if they can put me on to someone and if not I'll start calling.
Thanks for the advice.
x