Stuck run

[Biker Betty]

One of my ex-batts is not quite right. She is drinking a huge amount of water - and whilst I wouldn't normally worry about this, she doesn't seem to be eating a lot and is losing weight. I've had them about 6 weeks and she has always been the smallest weakest of them all. She had the least feathers and therefore I believe has been going through an almost total regrowth - most of her feathers have returned now though which I was pleased about.

 

Her comb has gone very thin and a bit darker than usual too. Otherwise, she doesn't seem to be displaying any other bad symptoms. I've checked her vent and that's all fine - she has no swelling anywhere - nothing. Her behaviour pretty fine too though she is a little hunched - tail is perky though.

 

I thought she might have a bit of an impacted crop but it just seems to be full of the water she's drinking. I massaged it anyway and gave her some warm water this morning just in case that helped.

 

She did seem to sneeze or cough (I can't really tell which is which) this morning - though just once so I'm not sure on the significance.

 

The other 3 are absolutely fine though - no symptoms of anything whatsoever.

 

I have kept her in with them for now as they don't seem to be bullying her or anything - should I keep her separate for a while?

 

Any help would be massively appreciated as I'm quite worried about her - she looks like a really poorly little thing at the moment.

 

Thanks

[Egluntyne]

Why not make some very sloppy pellet porridge to get a bit of nutrition into her.

 

I wouldn't separate her unless you have to, to avoid any reintroduction problems if you can.

 

Tbh it could be any one of a number of things.

 

I think I's be inclined to take her to the vet for a look see.

[Biker Betty]

Thank Egluntine - I was going to give her a bit of TLC this evening and try to make her something extra tasty to eat. Would you advise a bit of live yoghurt in case it's something stomachy?

 

I agree with the separation though - I never like to separate them if possible.

 

I'm going to give her a day or so and then I may well call my vet - although I'm not sure how knowledgable he is on chooks unfortunately. He's just a normal household small animals vet.

[Egluntyne]

A bit of yoghurt will do no harm at all. Mine love it.

[Guest]

does she have the runs? just wondered if this was why she was drinking a lot and why her comb had shrunk, she might be a bit dehydrated?

 

Have you seen her eating? Try and get her to eat whatever you can that has some nutrition in it. Try some mashed potato with tuna in. I'd also take her to the vet.

[Biker Betty]

well it's a bit runnier than normal but nothing too bad that it would normally concern me.

 

She did eat a bit this morning but as I've been at work all day, it's hard to tell how much - but for the past two mornings she has ran straight to the drinking water rather than the food bowl. So I think she is dehydrated.

 

I have had her indoors this evening and she ate a little bit of sloppy porridge made with mash, yoghurt and chicken spice but not enough for my liking.

 

It was past bedtime though and all she seemed to want to do was to get some kip! So I've

put her back in her house where she'll at least be comfy and not stressed out tonight.

 

I will get her to the vets asap though - I think I'd rather have a professional opinion but I have a feeling he's just going to say he doesn't know enough about chickens to help.

 

I fear the worst to be honest.

 

Thanks for all of your help though - I honestly don't know what I'd do without this forum - it seems it's the only place I can ever get any sound advice. I just wish I had enough experience to help others on here.

 

Thank you.

 

Bx

[Biker Betty]

After my last dramatic post, it seems that whatever extra TLC I gave her last night seems to have worked a bit - she has really perked up today as she was first out of the house this morning and barged her way to the food bowl. In fact she was even trying to keep the others away and whilst she is normally bottom of the pecking order, she seems to have been asserting herself quite a lot this morning by trying to hog the feeder!

 

She's still drinking a fair amount but seems to also have her appetite back with a vengance which can only be a good thing. I think I'll just be keeping a very close eye on them over the next day or so and spoil them rotten with lots of tasty things to eat and see how we get on.

 

Thanks once again for all your help and kindness - I will keep you posetd if anything changes.

[Egluntyne]

That is good news.

[Guest]

good news, hope she keeps on getting stronger

[sandyhas3chucks]

I like these sort of posts...perhaps the little bit you got her to eat gave her the energy to go forit with the others. My girls seem to drink loads with a softee on the way. Could she have done one maybe & feels better too? great hope she picks up.

[Biker Betty]

A little update for those very helpful members who gave me advice. She seems to be doing well now and has really perked up. She hasn't really looked back since my last post.

 

Thanks for your help - and as a bit of advice to others, sometimes a little bit of extra TLC is all that's needed to perk a chicken up and make her feel wanted.

 

Bx

[Egluntyne]

Thanks for the update. Good to hear that she is OK.