Miss Potter Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Henrietta has been off colour for a couple of days now - no eggs, sitting around listlessly, hanging her head with her eyes shut. She's not right. Any ideas anyone? I am a total novice at this and am really worried and spending my time checking out chicken forums instead of working! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 (edited) Hello...welcome to the forum. Has she been wormed recently? Have you checked for lice and mites? Any of those issues could present with the symptoms you mention. Why not browse the Frequently Asked Questions sections for more info. Edited for typo. Edited July 3, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 There seem to be a few of these sort of chickens around on the forum at the moment. I've got a sick one as well. I finally went to the vet (having exhausted every other possibility by myself) who specialises in avian medicine and he checked her over for worms, lice etc and couldn't see anything wrong. She did have sour crop last week but hasn't started eating again. He's put her on a course of antibiotics to see if that helps but really couldn't suggest anything else. If it will settle your mind it might be worth a visit to the vet just to confirm you've done everything right. I've come out not knowing the answers but at least i know it's not something I've done that's made her ill which makes me feel a bit better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Potter Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Thanks for speedy replies. it is nice to know I am not alone! She hasn't been wormed, and does love the compost heap. Will give that a go. She does have very scaly legs - do you think lice would make her sleepy? She just looks knackered! Will go and inspect her for lice next, have checked for being egg bound or a bunged up crop. She just felt very thin and bony, which would tie in with worms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucknette Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Hi You say she has very scaly legs, she probably has scaly leg which will need treating. This can pull her down. Somebody more experience on line may be able to help with treatment as I havent had to deal with this yet. (hopefully never) Best Wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Potter Posted July 6, 2008 Author Share Posted July 6, 2008 Never thought I would be delighted to see worms in chicken poo, but I was yesterday having administered Flubenvet by the Individual Grape Method (thanks for that), and thought we were on the road to recovery having soved the problem, and she seemed a bit perkier. However this morning she did not even get off her perch to come out, so have brought her in and am giving her water by pipette to keep her hydrated (even grapes of no interest), so she is not looking good at all. How long do you take to recover from worms if you have just passed a lot?? Is there anything nourishing I can give her to get her strength back? She has scaly leg too, so covering that with baby oil or olive oil (I'm not a bad mother, honest - the lady who sold the girls to us said Henrietta was older and you could tell because she had scalier legs, so I thought they were meant to be like that, but realised as soon as I saw the pics, trying to work out what was wrong with her, that she had scaly leg) Definitely vets tomorrow, if she lasts. Poor girl looks wretched Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Welcome to the forum - I'm sorry your first post has had to be about a poorly hen . We don't think you're a bad chicken mum, so don't worry! You're obviously doing all you can for her. Hope the vet can help - keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Lost my first one today, RIP Ginger. She was fine on Wednesday, then Thursday her wattles and crown were very pale she was dopey and sleepy. Last evening she seemed to be regaining some colour, and was as active as normal, but this morning she was paler and listless. My husband took her to the vet, who said nothing could be done, and so, very sadly, we had to choose to 'do the kindest thing'. Have been to our local farm and brought home to 'just laying' new girls, who Ginger's old 'cellmate' Amber is now looking at like they are a pair of aliens. So, farewell and adieu Ginger, RIP, and hello Ruby and Scarlet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Potter Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 Henrietta has sadly shuffled off this mortal perch after a trip to the vets - can't help but think that the vet was so thorough in examination that it helped polish her off. My husband and I sobbed, my daughter asked if she could name the next one...so young, and yet so hard! So we are in the same territory as you, but see the excellent posts on introducing new chickens...Lucy and Lauren (yeah, guess who named that one! I was holding out for Ginger but no chance) are now just about on speaking terms. I think they are now more in danger of Gulf War Syndrome, as I am now paranoid and treating them for worms, red mites, lice, vinegar in their water, yoghurt in their porrige.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 So sorry to hear that you've lost Henrietta and Ginger - that's very bad luck so soon into chicken keeping . Sorry, I've not been keeping up but were they both ex-batts? If not, it's unusual (although not unheard of) to lose hens so young . I'm very sorry for both of you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Sorry to hear about Henrietta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Potter Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 Henrietta was not point of lay, and suspect she was older than we were led to believe, not vaccinated against anything, and had at the very least scaly leg, worms and lice when she came, which if I had been more eggsperienced I would have sorted sooner. When I checked her could not find any lice...they were all lurking in the bit I didn't look. Lucy and Lauren have had the full Johsons anti mite, and it has been genocide of the mite and louse population in the hen house (Ihaven't seen any of them, but it is chemical warfare in there). Is there anything else I can do for proactive health? How often should i use the Johnsons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Ihaven't seen any of them They really are just like specks of dust, anything 'suspect' in our eglu now and it gets a full rinse, dry and spray at the slightest sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
