HENthusiastic Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 (edited) Can anybody offer any advice or help please? Over the last week, Buttercup has not seemed herself. She is usualy a really bold, excitable chicken, into everything. For the past week she just seems subdued. She has become the last one out of the house in the morning, sometimes taking 3 or 4 minutes after the others have come out, before she does. When shes out freeranging she is spending some time just standing. At other times though she acts totally normally. If I go out with the corn at night time she is as active and boisterous as usual. But just now, she refused to take a worm I have checked her over. Vent and nostrils are clean. No signs of lice or mites. Face not pale. Any advice please? Is there something wrong with her or could it be the shorter days? I'm going to worm them all and dust her with mite powder just in case. Shes a great chicken. Edited September 22, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 There doesn't sound like there is anything you can specifically pinpoint is there. Is she still laying? I would definately worm her, have you got Fluvenvet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 sounds like you've done everything right by checking for lice etc. Worm her to be on the safe side, and then keep an eye on her. Make sure she is eating and drinking. let us know how she goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Worming would be my first suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted September 20, 2008 Author Share Posted September 20, 2008 Thanks guys. Does it sound like it could be worms? Wouldn't the others have it too? I just found a poo which had a bit of undigested stuff in it and also was a tad on the green side. Not sure who 'laid' it though. I do so hope its only worms. If it is worms how long before she starts to pick up? She hasn't laid for about 3 days, but then she often goes 2 or 3 days without laying anyway. Ive just been watching her and shes doing a lot of sitting down, nodding off. On the other hand, when I walked up the garden, she took to the air and flew up after me in case she was missing something. She seems ill one minute and fine the next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Just a thought, but you haven't noticed any broody signs have you? I agree, it seems more like something's wrong (like worms) but just thought I'd mention it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted September 20, 2008 Author Share Posted September 20, 2008 I dont think she's broody. Thanks for the thought, but I agree, sadly it seems more like illness. I'll bear it in mind though as I'm keeping an eye on her. Thanks everybody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted September 20, 2008 Author Share Posted September 20, 2008 Been in the garden with the all afternoon and I think she's looking a bit perkier. I'm still not too happy with her poos though. But you know what its like...... when you are looking for 'symptoms' you tend to find them. I so hope shes okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 That sounds hopeful . Fingers crossed she's on the mend . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Buttercup is still not quite herself. Sometimes I think she's on the mend, other times I still feel worried about her. If it is worms, how long would the wormer take to start making her feel better? She's had three days so far. She still seems to be having periods when she just stands about the place or sleeps, which is not like her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted September 22, 2008 Author Share Posted September 22, 2008 There was poo in her blood this morning. My poor chicken. I dont want her to die. Is this a really bad sign? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Poor Buttercup . It doesn't sound good, but I'm no expert by any means . Hope she pulls through . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 (edited) I'd be inclined t take her and a poo specimen to the vet. Edited for typo. Edited September 22, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted September 22, 2008 Author Share Posted September 22, 2008 SHe's not getting any better or any worse! It is odd. Shes on day 3 of her wormer. I have booked her into the vet tomorow morning. Thanks for advice and well wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Are you using Flubenvet wormer? I noticed a difference after 3 days. Blood in poo is something to not necessarily worry about. It could just be a piece of gut lining. I do think it is best to take her to the vets though. Hopefully they will give you some answer/piece of mind tomorrow. All the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 Hi. The vet has given Buttercup a few injections: wormer, painkiller, antibiotic and steroid. Aparently she is underweight (which is why she's got the steroid). I have been given antibiotic to add to all their water for 8 days and a wormer (to be given to them all by syringe) every day for 5 days, then a top up dose. Vet is unsure what it is, so is covering all bases.Then they have a special vitamine type thingy to add to their water just to build everybodys strength up. Buttercup seems a fair bit better this morning, but I'm reserving judgement in case she's just feeling better coz of the pain killer and still might be ill underneath. Matilda seems a bit poorly, but all the others seem fine. I do so hope they will all be okay. I have had other sad family news recently and I couldn't stand it if my girls dont pull through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brown Clan Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Fingers crossed she pulls through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted September 25, 2008 Author Share Posted September 25, 2008 Shes looking perkier this morning, but poos are still green. I'm hopeful again. Gosh they do cause a worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
