Single hen

[helenc]

We bought my in-laws some chicken 3 weeks ago and the RIR has been snuffly for the last 2 weeks, she has had citricidal and last week she was just quiet and hunched up so I contacted Karen at Merrydale (we got them from there) for some advice and she suggested some vitamins, which they have given her since Friday.

 

Up until today she has been eating and drinking but hasnt today and she seems really sleepy, they have taken her to the vets and he said she is anaemic and gave her an injection ( I don't know what it was - sorry) and he said for them to bring her back if she is no better in a week and that it may be better to put her to sleep if she hasnt improved.

 

Is there anything else I can tell them to do to help her?

 

Thank you

 

Helen

[Lesley-Jean]

If she can be tempted to eat, which can be difficult, I'd give here a tiny bit of chopped liver each day, not officially allowed of cause but could help to save her life.

 

Get your in-laws to check their housing for red mites as there must be a reason she became anaemic and red mite is a common one.

[helenc]

Thank you

 

They have had a look but couldn't find anything - their eglu is new and only delivered about 3 weeks ago and it has plastic roosting bars, could they still get red mite in there?

 

I will ask my brother in law to have a look when he goes home in case they have missed anything

[Egluntyne]

Battles Poultry tonic has iron in it, so why not add a bit to the drinking water?

[helenc]

Thank you Egluntine, I have told them to get some Battles Poultry Tonic, they will get some tomorrow. They said she seems a bit brighter this evening so hopefully she will pick up over the next few days, maybe whatever injection she had is helping