[chloe]

my hen rosie, is only 3 and she is really ill, she has been ill for the past week and now is the worse i have seen her. I got back and she was on the floor and couldn't get up she is now with me in the house and all she wants to do is sleep. She isn't eating or drinking and the only thing i have tyed to keep her eating is bread soaked in water. PLEASE HELP i really don't want her to go!!

[Carla]

Does she have a temp, whats her comb like, any mites in the coop, whats her poo like?  If she's been ill for  a while, it's probably not going to good news. I'd get her to a vet asap xx

[chloe]

i have to hold her up as she can barley stand  she is really thin and she is colder than the others and her poo's are runny, she's my fave girl and i would cry if she went. my dad said that she hasn't got long left so there's no point in taking her to the vet would a bath do her any good? to warm her up?  thank you x

[Carla]

A warm bath can help soothe and calm a chicken, but if she's really ill, being wet and stressed would probably do her more  harm than good. Try and keep her fluids up, syringe some water down her and maybe some crumb or pellets made into a warm porridge. Keep her warm and quiet, find her a nice spot in a box by a radiator or fire (but not too hot). But if it's her time to go, nothing you can do will help. I lost a girl last week under similar circumstances, I tried everything I could but she went anyway. Its heart breaking
How long has it been since she ate or drank properly?
xx

[GrannieAnnie]

I'm sorry Chloe, it doesn't sound good love.  But if you want to try to keep her a bit warm, have you got a box you can put her in,with a hot water bottle wrapped in an old towel or something?

Unfortunately, once you can see how ill chickens are, it's usually too late to help them.  I've lost loads of chickens in my time, but it is still upsetting.

You can also try a little warm water with a bit of salt and sugar dissolved in it.  The salt will help if she is dehydrated and the sugar for a little energy.

Good luck love!

[chloe]

okay she ate properly about 2 days ago and now i have to feed her soaked bred because she won't eat anything else.. how do i get her to drink? because all she wants to do is sleep and i don't have a sirringe
thank you x

[Aunt Sally]

As Grannie says it's probably too late now.  A vet may have been able to treat her with antibiotics when she first became ill.  All you can do now is keep her comfortable or help her to "sleep". 

[chloe]

okay thank you anyway

[Aunt Sally]

Very sad   

The longer you wait before treatment the less chance of recovery there is. 

[Carla]

Oh Chloe, I really feel for you honey xx  If she's having soaked bread, at least she's getting some moisture. Make her as comfortable as you can, cosy and warm and let her rest. So much can go wrong with chickens, lots of things take hold before you notice and then it's too late anyway.
Take comfort in that you've done your best and if she does go, you made her last few days as nice as possible xx
Keep us updated x

[chloe]

I got her to drink some water and she has gone to sleep now

[orchardlady]

Well Chloe it sounds as if you are a super hen keeper. Rosie is in the best possible hands. As other have said it is probably her time to go. Part of keeping animals that we love and respect is that we have to face their deaths to. It's the price we pay for loving. It sounds as if you are doing everything you can for Rosie. Well done.

Keep us updated we are all thinking of you.

[threeranger]

Hi Chloe,

Are there any signs of lice at the base of her feathers/on her skin ? Wormed recently etc ?

[jinty1911]

Am sooo sorry that your chick is ill. I hope she pulls through. Will keep everything crossed.
Hugs xxx
Jinty

[bantam novice]

Hi Chloe,
oh how sad  .  You are doing the best you can and I wish you all the luck in the world.  Keep us posted