[rosemaryandthyme]

Hi all! Rosie had clear runny poo the last couple of days and was listless, ruffled, hunched and not eating. This morning she looked proper poorly and when I looked in the coop there was blood everywhere and , yes it was coming from her bottom. I found some one to put her out of her misery. She had a history of laying softies over the last 4-5 months and was quite poorly at times but always perked up once the "egg" was laid. But am worried about my other 4 chooks now, do you think it may have been coccidiosis? If so, how can I clean/disinfect their run and the 50 sq ft that they range in all day?
Please help, I don't want Thyme, Basil, Precious and Marple (All detectives!) to go through such a horrible thing.


Title amended to describe topic

[ANHBUC]

So sorry rosemary about Rosie, it is not nice to lose a hen.  Well done in taking quick action so she did not suffer unnecessarily. 

I think you would need to contact a vet asap to see if they can do an autopsy on Rosie to determine the cause of death.  This would give you a better idea of what you are dealing with and whether it will affect your other hens.  If this is not possible then could the person who dispatched her to take a look.  It could be that she had a broken egg.  This is by no means an alternative to the autopsy but sometimes it does reveal the cause.

[mrs chook]

Sorry for your loss

[GrannieAnnie]

Were there any bulges at the vent area?  could have been peritonitis or a prolapse maybe? 

I had some chicks with coccidiosis once.  They weren't listless at all, but dead within 2 days of noticing the blood on the brooder floor.

[rosemaryandthyme]

Thank you for your sympathy and ideas on Rosie's demise. The more I read up and think about it, it has to be the broken rotting egg inside her, poor love. I had been giving her calcium + vitD tabs crushed on a grape hoping to resolve this problem, but am convinced she would never have been cured. Will be vigilant with the other chooks, but unfortunately vet bills are out of my reach. Cant seem to find any vets round here who know anything much about chickens (does anyone else??).
The others seem happy and hungry, so after all the worry over Rosie over the last months maybe I can get back to enjoying my chooks again (fingers crossed!) I will miss her sitting on my lap at bbqs eyeing up my drumsticks and wreaking havoc thro the veggie patch...
Thanks again, Laurie x

[ANHBUC]

There are some links for poultry friendly vets both HERE and HERE

I am sure when you are enjoying watching your chooks Rosie will still be with you in your fond memories.   

[rosemaryandthyme]

Thank you, very useful to find one in my nearest town! And for your kind thoughts!