xChicken04x Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 I just went out to give the girls their tea, and Gemma was acting strange, walking very slowly and kept falling backwards as if her tail was too heavy. She was walking with her wings out, like if she took a step with her left leg, her left wing would go out, almost as if she is trying to keep balanced . I picked her up and she was breathing quite heavy, with her beak open . She also can't forrage properly, she sort of does it in slow motion . It isn't looking good is it? She has taken her self to bed now. At least if she does die, I have been able to say good bye to her. If she does survive, does anyone know what quality of life she will have? If she can't do chickeny things, such as forraging, then I wouldn't want to keep her alive. Any advice? xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Poor thing. Why not bring her in and put her in a box with some bedding and a hot water bottle to keep her comfortable. Try and encourage her to take small dribbles of water if she can. Is there a vet nearby who would see her at short notice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hi Egluntine, how did I know you would be able to help?! I'm in two minds whether to bring her in or not, she went up to the cube with her best friend snuggled up next to her. That's how I know something isn't right, they usually go to bed at about 8:15pm, so she is about an hour early. I'm tempted to leave her with her best friend. She isn't in any pain as far as I can tell, just looks very tired. I did phone the vet, no answer at the moment . I will try later, but I don't think they will be open for much longer. If I can, I will ask the vet to pop in on his way home, he lives near by and knows all there is to know about chickens. I will go and check her again in a minute. Thank you for your help. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Keep us posted on how she is....... best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Sorry to hear about Gemma . I hope she's OK in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Sorry to hear about your chook. I hope she feels better in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 At least she's not in pain and I think I'd be inclined to leave her with her friend. If the vet comes then you'll have to get her out but she'll be happiest in her familiar surroundings, and unless you can actually do something proactive I'd be inclined to leave her, hopefully to recover, but if it's the worst case scenario then she will go peacefully having been looked after by you and her friend I really hope she makes a recovery Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hi all, just an update. I went to lock the girls up at 8:15pm as usual, Gemma was still tucked up with Mischief. She was fast a sleep (she was still breathing, don't worry!) I didn't bother disturbing her. I tried the vet again, no luck, surgery had just finished and the vet was on his way home. I'll just have to see how she is in the morning, I think I'll take her in to the vet anyway, just to be safe. Thank you all for your support, it means a lot. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen&Rog Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 fingers crossed for tonight.. keep us posted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Fingers crossed for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mot336 Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hope your hen will feel better in the morning! fingers crossed for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Any news this morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 Hi all, thank you for asking about Gemma. Oddly, she is fine . I let them out this morning expecting the worse, but Gemma hopped down the ladder first as usual . She is walking fine and forraging as normal. She looks like a completely different chicken than to last night . She also laid an egg, which she hasn't done for a few weeks. I just assumed she had stopped laying because of her age (nearly 2 years.) I'll just have to see how she goes..... I feel silly for making such a fuss now . Thank you all for your support. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Glad to hear she's OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 That's good news How odd though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 I agree....how odd. Glad to hear it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mot336 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 That good news! Glad to hear Gemma is back to normal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 What a relief . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Hi all, thank you for your replies. Yes it is a relief she's Ok, but I'm still confused as to why Gemma perked up so quickly after she was so unwell . The girls have been really nasty to each other today and yesterday though. Not just the odd peck, but really nasty fighting, hackles fluffed up and everything. Gemma and Mischief in particular have been horrible to each other . I never thought I would see the day that those two fought . They have been joined at the hip since the day they arrived (over a year ago.) I've even had to get the hosepipe on them a few times. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
