McChook Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 One of my gingernuts laid her largest egg ever today, but started bleeding from her vent straight afterwards. She's not bleeding continually, but there is blood visible and it drips occasionally. The other girls go for her when she comes near them (I'm not sure if they're trying to help her or not, but she doesn't like it) so has kept to the eglu this afternoon. She's eating a little and drinking, and she doesn't protest when I clean her or pick her up, but she's keeping her distance from the other chooks. When they went to bed, I put her in the nesting box and put a piece of card across the hole so the others couldn't get to her - I think it's best to separate her, but I haven't got another eglu or rabbit hutch or similar in which to put her. She looks very sad and her tail is down - I don't know what I can do to help her, but a trip to the vets seems likely tomorrow. Does anyone have any advice please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 Poor little thing . I don't have any experience I'm afraid, but I have read that you need to be very careful not to let the others near her if she's bleeding. They are attracted to blood and could be quite vicious given half a chance. If you can get her to a vet quickly tomorrow well and good. If not, I think gentian violet is good to spray on the affected area to disguise the red. Hopefully they'll be OK once darkness falls. Sounds like you're doing your best in the meantime - keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I'd certainly keep hr away from the others overnight. Hopefully it the tear should scab over and stop dripping overnight. I would definitely take her to the vet if it doesn't. You might want to give her a less nutritious diet for a few days, to stop her laying and give things chance to settle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McChook Posted October 27, 2008 Author Share Posted October 27, 2008 Thank you both for your replies. She was unchanged this morning and the other girls are showing too much interest in her, so I've made an appointment with the vet for this afternoon - I'll let you know how she gets on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 How did you get on at the vet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I hope that you managed to get this sorted, is she any better after her trip to the vet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McChook Posted October 27, 2008 Author Share Posted October 27, 2008 Got back from the vets about an hour ago - sadly, without Tilly. Her vent had torn very badly and the vet said she could 'put fingers where fingers shouldn't go'. She could have put a stitch in Tilly's vent, but she would tear again the next time she laid so, with the pain she was undoubtedly in and the fact that it would only get worse, I felt the kindest thing for her would be to be put to sleep. It's not a decision I reached lightly and haven't stopped crying since, but I've always said that I would never keep an animal in pain - regardless of how upset any of us might be. It's a sad night... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 So sorry to read about Tilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 oh no, just caught this update. So sorry about Tilly, I thought she'd pull through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I'm very sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 So sorry to hear that, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear about Tilly Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McChook Posted October 27, 2008 Author Share Posted October 27, 2008 Thanks for your support everyone, very much appreciated xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Oh no, what a shock . I came on hoping for good news . I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 So sorry to hear about Tilly It must have been such a shock to you, so unexpected. Thinking of you. Allison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Not an easy decision to reach but you did the right thing. Big hugs C x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistachio Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 So sorry to hear about Tilly and I completely understand why you took the decision to have her put down, because you didn't want her to be in pain or at risk of tearing every day when she laid an egg. Really hoped she'd pull through but at least she had an attentive carer who didn't let her get attacked by the others or struggle on in pain. You did the best you could Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Sending you lots of love, so sorry to hear about Tilly... It must have been a hard & upsetting decision to make but it sounds as though you did the kindest thing for her. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...