peepie Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 Some times I think we're on a winner as she perks up a bit and does a few pecks. She seems best when free ranging out of the run so they've been out all afternoon. But then at other times she stops and hunches up and doesn't do anything for ages. I dont' really think she's eaten anywhere near a "proper" meal today and I don't know how long she can go on like this for really. Put some more liquid down her but I can't get food down her at all. I've tried tempting her with all sorts but she looks at it, gives it a peck and gives up. Her breath doesn't seem as smelly today and she's not rumbling as much when I massage her crop. She has been clucking a little bit more though. Maybe if her tummy settles she'll start eating properly again. I've put 2 bowls of food in in case Petunia is keeping her away from the grub. She's just skin and bones though. Does anyone have experience of this poultry spice stuff - would it tempt her to eat or is it only any good if they are already eating? thanks xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 Sorry it's me again! Well I know it's not really the best food for her, but I've managed to tempt her with some marmite on toast this evening. We managed to get her to eat about quarter of a slice by sitting her on my knee and breaking it into tiny little bite sized pieces which she then voluntarily pecked out of my hand. I had a film cannister about half full of water/probiotic stuff and gave her sips after every few mouthfuls. It took about an hour and then she refused point blank to have any more and went and wiped her beak thoroughly on my carpet She's out in the run with the others again now so we'll see how things are tomorrow. I'm a little more hopeful though now she's eaten a bit. I kept trying to sneak pellets in but she just threw them off my hand onto the floor and wouldn't eat mushed up ones at all. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 I have no experience of poorly chickens I'm afraid, but I doubt Poultry Spice would help at the moment. I use Poultry spice as a suppliment, a sprinkle of it over treats a couple of times a month. Have you tried adding some warm water to the pellets to make a sort of porridge? Mine all adore porridge and it would go down easier too. Good Luck, you are doing well so far. Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 I've been trying the warm porridge, even opened her beak to try and put it in, but she just wouldn't peck at anything until I got the marmite out. I'm hoping that it might waken up her appetite again and she'll start eating properly soon. I might get some poultry spice anyway and have it in for treats. If she does start eating again it won't do her any harm and might pep her up a bit quicker. The others will probably enjoy it as well. No eggs from anyone today unless I find some under a bush - just off to look! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I heard that they LIKE poultry spice... so might encourage her... I have pm you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Sorry forgot to add this. When ny ex bat of then 3 weeks was really poorly I had some good useful advice from rescue, 1. put her food up higher if she has a sore crop bending down low will hurt. This really helped though she was on the mend 2 or 3 hours after trip to vet, am sure the rymadyl would have helped immencly to reduce inflamation & pain.. read that suoluble asprin will have same effect. ALSO use some tepid water & mix some of her layers mash up in front of her & she will love it... she did likes the wet & runny look I reckon, like when you water the garden! she went straight at it! Read that some people blend up pellets & porridhge to make it like mash! Perhaps she'd be tempted by marmite mash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALNICK Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 We do not know enough about chickens at the moment, however we hope your hen gets better soon. Calnick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Hope your wee lass is better soon. I am too much of a newbie to offer advice but am so reassured by all the kindness shown by the other members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Awful isn't it not knowing enough but great that we can all share what we have been told/learnt from all the others that have been where we are. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Hopefully I'll be in a position soon to be able to pass on knowledge to others, in the mean time thanks to all you experienced people. She's still with us and pecking round a little. Can't get anything down her today as she's not happy at being held. Her crop doesn't feel like she's got anything in it whereas the other 2 have firm full crops by the end of the day. I just hope she starts eating soon. I've tried warm mash - I even did 3 dishes so there would be no fights and she left hers, I put in 3 piles of spaghetti and she walked off. I really don't know what else I can do. On the upside I haven't seen Petunia peck her at all today. We'll just have to see what tomorrow brings I suppose. good night for now xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Hi Peepie, just read throught this and can I give you a huge for your dedication and TLC? I just wanted to say I had a very poorly and fragile ex-batt with sour crop recently, and I am convinced the shot of Baytril the vet gave her made all the difference, she perked up about an hour after and started eating the probiotics I was trying to get down her manually! If she's still flagging it might be worth a go. All the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I don't know if you know a vet who can help but there is a vet practice in Willaston who apparently specialise in avian medicine. Church Farm Veterinary Clinic, Church House, Neston Road, Willaston, Wirral CH64 2TL Tel: 0151 327 1885 It might be worth giving them a call and, as Rhapsody says, a shot of Baytril might do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 Got my flubenvet and avipro today. That's got vitamins in as well so probably better than the probiotic powder I got from Boots! Been and done them all. Petunia was not impressed with the medicated grape - that took some downing! Mrs P seems a little bit happier when out but as soon as I put her back in the run, the tail goes down and she goes to sleep standing up. I've found an empty film cannister ideal for getting her to have little drinks. She's putting up resistance now to the syringe but will sip little bits out of the cannister if i hold it to her beak. I never imagined I'd cuddle a chicken quite so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Well done. When she recovers, she will be so much more attached to you after all this nursing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Been to the vet this morning. He's checked poo for worms and hasn't found any evidence of those, can't see anything obviously wrong with her so has put her on Baytril antibiotics and said see how she does over the next few days. Just given her the first dose now. One a day for as long as the bottle goes so we'll wait and see ......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Hopefully the Baytril will sort her out. You've now done everything you can. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted July 4, 2008 Author Share Posted July 4, 2008 She's worse again today - crop is squelching again and bad breath is back. She's sitting there hunched up with all her feather fluffed round. I really don't see what else I can do for her. I wonder if this is going to be the end of the road. She's so skinny now she can't last much longer I don't think. I'll keep dosing her with her medicine and liquids now until she either picks up or dies I think. She doesn't seem to be taking much notice of anything. The other 2 are just bustling round her and knocking into her and she doesn't even acknowledge them. Very sad. I've geared my little boy up to expect the worst Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Poor little thing . It sounds like you've done all you can . Fingers crossed for you both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 poor you... my heart goes out to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E4eggs Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 Oh I'm so sorry. All week I feel that I've been on this journey with you and have been thinking of you and yours and sending best thoughts to you! Earlier in the week my computer/telephone line was down, and my first thought was how I was going to keep up with your news. It's so hard when a loved pet isn't well and so frustrating. I tend between trying to cosset them and tiptoeing round them as I know often animals want to be left alone and don't realise that our mauling them around is us trying to help them. Sending good wishes your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted July 6, 2008 Author Share Posted July 6, 2008 Still here, looking pretty ragged this morning though, even more feathers pulled out. I'm wondering whether it's time to have her put to sleep. Partly because I think she's suffering and also because DS hasn't slept properly for nearly 2 weeks now because he's worrying about her. She did have a few pecks round but for the rest of the time she's just standing there looking hunched and all fluffed up. At what point do you say there's no quality of life? We've never done pets before apart from fish and a land snail, the land snail is still alive nad the fish never seem to be ill long before they die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 What a rotten time you're having . Your poor DS too . Why not see how she is in the morning and take her back to the vet. He might be able to advise you - it's a very hard decision to make on your own . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Peepie Is there any news on Mrs Pepperpot? Is she any better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Was wondering the same, how are things going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 Hi sorry haven't posted - was trying not to always post dismal posts otherwise you'll think I'm a miserable woman!! She's still alive, seemed a bit brighter again this morning but is now standing in her hunched up postition again with a big bald back where Petunia has been pecking her. No skin damage though fortunately. She's got the antibiotics until Friday so I'll see what happens then. I suppose it takes a few days to work. As always you hope for miracles though! All I can do is keep feeding her I suppose. Poor little thing. I'd love to be able to post a "she's all better and laying big eggs again" post - hopefully I will soon. Thanks for your concern. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
