Hi everyone.
Long story made short (ish).
Our 2 year old fenton blue was recently diagnosed as suffering from egg peritonitis. The vet drained 200ml of fluid from her abdomen and pumped her full of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. He basically said that that, plus daily administration by us of further antibiotics, was as much as could realistically be done at the moment. Thankfully the antibiotics appear to be working well and Betty, currently in isolation, is up and about and taking on small amounts of food and water. She is also starting to resist the administration of the antibiotics, which, after 2 days of passivity, we take as a welcome sign of returning to health. If she continues to improve we plan to put her back with her 3 chums within 2 or 3 days.
The problem then will be one of feeding. Layers pellets and the like are clearly off the menu for Betty, and whilst periods of separation for feeding them to the others is possible, it is neither desirable nor time expedient. My question therefore is (got there in the end) what can we give them collectively as a main food source that gives them all the nutrients etc. but does not enhance egg production? The girls currently get side dishes of corn and mealworm.
In truth we are not concerned about maintaining egg production from the others. That is merely a delicious benefit of ownership. We are just hopeful of giving Betty a quality life for as long as possible if a) she gets through this initial battle, and b) she can avoid a revisit of the vile disease, which we are informed is very common indeed.
Thanks all.
B.