WitchHazel Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Scarlett -my gorgeous,quirky, Transylvanian Naked Neck - died during the night. SHe was just over a year old. Last Wednesday I found that she had an impacted crop. I started to treat her with olive oil and maggots, switching to liquid paraffin and warm water when I read that too much olive oil is hard for them to process. The crop massaging worked well, and she was able to eat. I treated her three times on Thursday, as her crop was hardening up again during the day. Friday, I took her to the vets, although by the time the only apoointment time arrived, her crop was much better and softer. The Vet gave me a liquid qhich contained antibiotic, probiotic and something else, as it was possible that my impacted crop mught develop into sour crop. Treatment continued over the weekend, with us seeing some improvement in Scarlett hersel, but still a fairly full crop each morning. Yesterday she was wandering around the garden with the others, quite happily. Thismorning though, when I opened up the Cube at 7amto let them all out,she was dead. I have been going through everything wondering if I did something wrong. Maybe I got water in her lungs? Why didn't I spot the problem sooner? etc etcc. I don't think I did get fluid in her lungs, I guess it's just part of my grief that it making me question everything. I'm consoling myself by being grateful for small mercies. She had a happy day yesterday, she was scratching about in the pen with her friends before bedtime, she went to bed without any trouble, she died in her sleep rather than suffering over a few days. I took her to a chicken specialist vet, so I don't have to question whether the treatment was rught. She was very much loved, and I believe she had a happy life. I am grief stricken. I don't really have a favourite hen, as all my girls have something unique and lovely goinf for them; but treating a hen three times a day creates a strong bond. Anyway, no need to comment, I just wanted to share my "news" with people who would understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Very sorry to hear that Hazel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Hazel, I'm so sorry . That's so sad . You really sound like you did all you possibly could for her, so don't blame yourself. At least she didn't suffer and, as you say, died peacefully in her sleep. She had a lovely life with you while she was alive, so try to hold on to that thought. RIP Scarlett . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronmusgrove123 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 thats awful how did she get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 thats awful how did she get it? Crop impaction is caused by the chicken eating something which it can't process in it's crop. It could be something perfectly edible, but just too big for the crop to process, like long grass, or it could be a foreign body (bit of string, rubber band, polystyrene). The problem item creates a little ball or plug which can't pass through the crop. Otherfood then becomes attached to this plug and it gets bigger. The bird dehydrates a lot as a lot of water goes into trying to break the blockage down. If it doesn't get cleared, then it will start to ferment, causing sour crop. Whilst surgery to sort it out is possible, it's not a first resort. Teh crop area is very messy, and it's a bit of a nightmare having a clean surgical cut where there is so much foul stuff. The treatment recommended in the books is to use a small syringe to put liquid paraffin or warm water into the crop and then to massage the crop gently to try and break up the blockage so it can pass on its journey into the gizzard. When squirting liquid into your bird's mouth you have to be very careful -there is a hole which goes straight into the lungs, and if you get water into the lungs the bird will die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Sad news. You did all you could. Maybe the impaction was caused by something more serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 Sad news. You did all you could. Maybe the impaction was caused by something more serious. Yes, that's quite possible Egluntine. The Vet said that even if we cleared the crop , we might find therewas an underlying problem in the crop mechanism.If so, the problem would re-occur. Or did you mean something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Very sorry to hear this, you did all you could for her and it sounds like she had a lovely life with you Hazel. RIP special girl xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 So sorry to hear about about your girl. Best wishes, Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Oh Hazel I'm so sorry. I've seen your set-up and I know how much you care about your hens. I'm sure you did everything you could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HasSumAmi Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 So sorry to hear about Scarlett. You did everything you could and she so obviously was cared for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I am so sorry to hear your news XxxHugsxxX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 So sorry to hear about Scarlett. When I looked at your photos sometimes I always thought what a lovely chook she was (and her name!), not many people keep naked necks but I thought she was sweet. She had a fantastic time with you in your fabulous run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear your news. You did all you could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistachio Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Really sorry to hear about Scarlett, Hazel. My vet said to me that so many poultry conditions are only fully understood post-mortem because poultry symptoms are few and are the same for so many different conditions and complications. It sounds like you and your vet gave Scarlett the best possible chance for life and that she was as comfortable and happy as possible in her last days. It sounds like you know you did your best for her. Hold on to that and your happy memories. i know what you mean about getting closer to the chickens due to the extended close contact that an illness brings. I found the same with 2 of my chickens who I've had to hand feed. thanks for the info about the care needed when using a syringe. I've had to use one and no-one told me that - so thanks. take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 awww, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 very sorry to hear your news - you did all you could and must be comforted by that.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 She had a lovely last day with you and her friends, That is how I would want any of my girls to go. So sorry to hear about Scarlett. xxxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 Thank you everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 awwwwwww, Hazel, you did everything you could and more! So sorry for your loss, buy a scarlett rose bush and bury her under it (if you have the room) or do something else to commemorate her life. We bought a cherry tree called "Sweetheart" and buried our Lottie under it last week. I know exactly how you're feeling as I questioned myself when she died. She'd had peritonitis quite badly about a month before and I felt guilty for perhaps not spotting something when I should, but I think it was just her time. She also died in her sleep, it seemed to be peaceful as her eyes were closed and she was all tucked up in the cube. Bless her heart, please don't reproach yourself. She died a happy, free and loved little chook, she was fortunate to have such a caring chicken mum. xxxxxxxxxxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I'm really sorry I really liked the picture of her in your old avatar... Lots of hugs, Jessie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Hazel - I'm really sorry to hear your news but I am sure you can't have caused it. If you'd got some water into her lungs I am sure you would have heard her cough so it couldn't be that. Sometimes whatever you do makes no difference and it sounds like you made every attempt to help her and even that she seemed to be improving. Hugs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brown Clan Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Am so sorry to hear of your loss , you did all you could and she had a happy life with you and her friends so take comfort in those thoughts . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 So sorry to hear about Scarlett xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted November 4, 2008 Author Share Posted November 4, 2008 Thank you everyone. Your comments and sympathy have really helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
