Feeding advice for bantams (one broody, one moulting)

[HENthusiastic]

Matilda the ex-battery chicken is a total puzzle. SHe is continually looking really poorly, then rallying and seeming fine. I'm at a loss of what to do.

 

She has been to the vets twice and been on antibiotics twice. SHe's also been on painkillers. Her symptoms are standing hunched and looking all puffed up. The other thing she does that seems to baffle everybody, is lifting her feet up really high one after the other as if her thigh muscles are aching.

 

We have booked her into the vets on Tuesday and thought that was going to be her final day on this earth . Now, shes perked right up and seems fine . We were starting to think its kinder to let her go, but now we are confused all over again .

 

I know when ive posted about her before some people said they have had similar experiences with ex batts. What do other people do in this situation, or what would you do?

 

Thanks for your help.

Edited February 11, 2009 by Guest

[Christian]

Sorry, not had exbatts before, but could the leg lifting be her trying to build up her muscles (not as mad as it sounds )? Their leg muscles are very weak when they come out of the cages due to lack of exercise.

 

Has she been wormed? Hunched and lethargic could indicate worms?

 

Hope she perks up soon.

[sandyhas3chucks]

is she laying softees or even total liquid eggs? can take mine 12 hours or so to rid herself, they go much as yours sound then once it has all gone they are fine. also drink alot, bit of an ex bat thing if she is. if so furrther advice will follow. has she been wormed with flubivet? might be worth a try.

[HENthusiastic]

Hi guys, thanks for your suggestions. It could be her building up her leg muscles, but I dont think so, because she has been with us a fair few months now and she didn't used to do it. I guess its possible though.

The vet wormed them all last time we took her with quite a heavy duty wormer, so I guess its not that.

As for the eggs, she's not laid (softie or no softie) an egg for a very long time, probably about 3 months.

Its her appointment at the vets tomorow but she looks right as rain now. Well nearly anyway, she always looks a little bit puffed up, even when shes in one of her good stages.

 

What would other people do? Would you continue to take her to the vets? Or would you just accept that she has good days and bad days and let her do her own thing and try to stop worrying?

[abwsco]

What would other people do? Would you continue to take her to the vets? Or would you just accept that she has good days and bad days and let her do her own thing and try to stop worrying?

 

If she's happy enough in herself and eating and drinking well I'd just let her do her own thing. I'm sure exbatts are meant to worry us

[jos]

I agree with Anne. If she's eating and drinking then just keep a close eye on her and keep your fingers crossed.

[Christian]

The same here. As long as she is eating/drinking and doing chickeny things, let her get on with life.

[Cazjohn]

I agree with the other replies, if she's happy enough most of the time.

 

Because it's so cold at night might be worth bringing her in for some warmth while she sleeps, also because she's been on medication that can also make her feel quite poorly.

 

If I were in your position I'd give her lots of extra treats, warmth at night and keep her off any meds and see how she goes.

[sandyhas3chucks]

we are all agreed then.

all good advice

specially bring her in .

I would for sure.good luck

[HENthusiastic]

we are all agreed then.

all good advice

specially bring her in .

I would for sure.good luck

 

Thats me told then!

 

Shes had a great day today. I think I'm going to keep her vets appointment tomorow though and just ask whether the vet can give me some pain killers that I can just use as and when for her. She doesnt seem at all bothered by the journey to the vets, so she won't mind.j

 

Thanks for all your help.

[moomin]

HENthusiastic I have a chook who keeps going up and down. I'm just keeping an eye on her and if she starts going down hill again will whizz her off to the vets

 

At the moment she seems happy enough so just taking each day as it comes

[Snowy]

I'm sure I read on here a while back about calcium deficiency causing these arthritis type symptoms Has your vet considered that?

 

I'll see if i can find the link .....

 

Here it is: viewtopic.php?f=41&t=19828&hilit=calcium+deficiency

[sandyhas3chucks]

sorry if I am repeating this, can't remember if said to you already. Arnica is used for arthritis symptoms also a combination RRA is very good, my homeopathic vet gave some to my old dog & that helped heaps. metacam is used for chooks too.

good luck.

yes re calcium, I read somewhere that a laying chook uses 30% more calcium than she has free so each one leches more from her own bones.

Not sure of the accuracy as cannot recall where read . Egluntine didn't write it so may not be right!

[Lizzie]

Hi

I read your post with interest as one of our ex batts does exactly the same.

The leg thing I assume she is just stretching her muscles as like you, we have had ours for some months now.

The poorly, sorry for herself look we are sure she does just before she is going to lay a soft / broken egg, though it can take some hours to pass.

Dorothy also has the most bare patches so if she ruffles up her feathers, we bring her indoors to keep her warm and she soon perks up. As soon as she has passed whatever is making her feel poorly, we put her back with the others again as long as she is moving around and looks happy, she stays out.

 

We also give her and the others porridge everyday (made with water) and a marvellous mash mixture recommended by somebody else : layers mash, garlic powder, poultry spice, mix with hot water and a tiny dab of marmite. They have this as soon as they get up every day and really seem to have improved no end.

 

Hope this puts your mind at rest a little and she is ok

 

Regards

[HENthusiastic]

Hi guys, thanks again for all the words of wisdom.

I am upping their limestone flour in case its a calcium deficients and I am going to order some arnica. I'm also going to add a bit of marmite to their regular pellet porridge breakfasts too.

The vet said she seemed in really good health. Shes the right weight for a chicken her size (she started at 1.5kg and is now2!), she said she looks well and healthy in every way. She has given me some pain killes and antibiotics to use when she starts to look poorly again, but said to ring her and talk in through first. Shes back in the garden happily with her mates now.

I'm going to put a fuller account of the trip to the vets on 'chickens forum' as it was quite eventful!

 

Thanks again.

 

edit: I can only find arnica in cream version? Is this right? Do you rub it into her legs?

[sandyhas3chucks]

You could/can but normally you would pop a tiny pill.. I like the WELEDA ONES AS APPOSE TO NEILSONS as they are crushable & I found my girl spat out the other hard ones as they are like a piece of grit.I found it easier you can also get RRA as a mix off the internet. it is used for bruising as well as arthritis. are you giving cod liver oil as D3 is needed to aid absobtion of calcium & cod liver oil has it. or Egluntine usually recommends ZolcalD as a supplement cos it is all in there. can't recall what othewrs have used dovan???? maybe or somthing like it.Dovian?????

good luck again

[Snowy]

Davinova C is the other calcium supplement that I've found to be readily available (from our local horse feed store)

[sandyhas3chucks]

Davinova C is the other calcium supplement that I've found to be readily available (from our local horse feed store)

not too far off was I new somone would come in with it. has it got the D3 in it also, nearly finished my bottle so will need to look for a replacement soon.

[HENthusiastic]

Hi.

After a lot of agonising, me and OH have come to the very difficult decision that Matilda needs to go to chicken heaven.

 

She has been on anitbiotics repeatedly.

 

At the moment she is on arnica tablets, extra calcium, and painkiller with antiinflamatory.

 

She still perks up for food and drink (which is what's made the decision soooo hard). But thats not enough for a decent life. She spends most of the time standing, watching the others. She hardly scratches and hasn't had a dust bath in months. Her head is always withdrawn into her body, I cant remember last time she stretched her head up.

 

While its not a clear cut decision, she hasn't been right for months now. If I was going to make the wrong decision, I would rather she went early, than lived on longer than she should in discomfort.

 

She's an ex-bat and has had a bad enough life in the factory. She should't have to have suffer now. I'm greatful she's had 9 months retirement, but I think shes ready to go. I'm gutted and it is soooo difficult. I wish it was clearer. She's a great little chicken. I will really miss her. (I was meant to phone the vets today to make an appointment, but I'm putting it off. Its now 4.30 and I still havent rung

 

Thank you to everybody who has posted on this (and other threads) with advice and support for Matilda.

[The Dogmother]

You poor things

 

Will be 'virtually' holding your hands at the vets tonight

[sandyhas3chucks]

thinking of you x

[Guest]

a heart rending decision, thoughts are with you xxxx

[Egluntyne]

I know you have been agonising over this.

 

She has had a wonderful retirement, a thought to console yourselves with.

 

All the best.

[HENthusiastic]

Thank you so much for understanding. I was worried that people would make me feel guilty or wrong . I have not managed to get through to the vets, so will try in the morning. We are going to try to book an appointment Thursday afternoon so me and OH can both go with her (and to support each other). We also have a few days to feed her lots of treats and make a fuss of her. Oh and take some pictures of her with her mates. We have been looking at her and watching her, and the trouble is that you get used to her looking different. Its too easy not to see how differently she behaves to the others nor to notice just how far downhill shes gone.

[chelsea]

I really feel for you , and I know its not a decision you have taken lightly. Everyone's hens are different - and only you know your hen so people will not judge you.

 

Take comfort in the fact you rescued her, gave her 9 months of a life she would never have had, she's seen the sun & the sky and has been loved. x