4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Karen]

I have an elderly (4 yrs plus) hen who is sick.

 

We think it is sour crop as her crop has been watery and full - and we have held her upside down and made her vomit. She has also had a dirty bottom - watery poos though none in the last couple of days.

 

I brought her in yesterday to keep her warm - she is slow on her feet, but looks very well - good plumage bright eyes etc.

 

I travelled miles yesterday to find white maggots - but she won't eat them, or drink or eat anything. I can't get her to open her mouth to take water or olive oil or anything.

 

She can walk around and is lookiing oddly perky - but simply refuses to eat or drink.

 

My husband is a doctor and said If I get an emergency surgical kit from the travel shop he will operate on her.... not sure how that will go.

 

I know that it might be a tumour or some other problem that has caused the blockage and think I should probably take her to the vet to be put down, but just wondered whether there was anything I could do to get her to eat these horrid maggots?

 

Any ideas?

 

karen

[Christian]

If it is sour crop Karen, then you should give her yoghurt as this is restore the balance of good bacteria in her crop. The maggots are best for a blocked crop, although sour crop can cause a blocked crop. syringing natural yoghurt into her might be the best bet. A vet might be able to tube feed her?

 

Hope she is better soon.

[Karen]

Thanks Christian,

 

I tried yoghourt yesterday - she isn't interested in that either - but maybe I will try to syringe it into her.

 

We've had hens now for four and a half years and have had to battle with all sorts of things - but this one is new for us and she's being very stubborn.

 

I'm tempted to put her back in the pen with the others as she seemed oddly happy but i'm worried about her getting cold in this horrible weather if she isn't eating anything.

[sandyhas3chucks]

Found this on webb . might be useful. also there is something in the Health section.

 

Check the crop first thing in the morning before the hen has eaten or drunk.

 

Treatment is by oral anti-fungal medicine form the Vet, usually Nystatin or Ketoconazole.

 

There is no need to seperate the bird unless it is being picked on by other hens.

 

Oral natural bio-yoghurt can help to stabilise the crop contents.

 

Oral Daktarin gel available from the Chemist can also help - squeeze an inch of gel into the beak three times a day for 2-3 days.

[Egluntyne]

If it is sour crop her breath will smell, and maggots are generally used to treat an impacted crop, which is not the same thing, but can go on to become sour.

 

TBH in a hen of that age it is quite likely to be a tumour.

 

Have you got separate accommodation for her after the surgery, as the other hens will be inquisitive about the wound.

 

If I were you I'd have the vet look at her.

[The Dogmother]

If it is sour crop her breath will smell, and maggots are generally used to treat an impacted crop, which is not the same thing, but can go on to become sour.

 

TBH in a hen of that age it is quite likely to be a tumour.

 

Have you got separate accommodation for her after the surgery, as the other hens will be inquisitive about the wound.

 

If I were you I'd have the vet look at her.

 

Ditto, plus dose her with live yoghurt and put ACV in her water. Avipro is a wonderful rehydrating and prebiotic treament that is water soluble - it will relly help her if you can syringe some into her.

 

At that age though, you may be fighting a losing battle

[Karen]

Thanks so much for advice.

 

I think it might be a tumour as she is an old hen and stopped laying a little while ago. I have put her back in the pen with the others as she is quite alert and interested in what's going on around her, but she is slow and not eating - she is drinking quite a lot, which means we may have to empty her out again later. Not completely as I don't want her to get dehydrated.

 

I am about to call the vet and see what she thinks. They're not very hen savvy in London though, and although I am very fond of my hens, i'm not sure about shelling out huge somes of money for operations at this stage. Sounds harsh I know, but over the years we have lost so many hens for different reasons that I probably have become a bit hardened.

 

I won't let her suffer, and am keeping a close eye on her. Will keep you posted.

[The Dogmother]

I think that's the best policy Karen - just keep her comfortable and be prepared to 'do the deed' if she goes downhill or looks distressed. Don't forget that hens are very clever at hiding illness until they are practically at death's door.

 

Good luck

[sandyhas3chucks]

Might it be worth looking here.

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/

 

by putting poultry in the advance search option on find a vet , you might be surprised to find a vet you can speak/see closer than you thinnk, someone else on the forum was travelling 2 hours then 45 mins then found thee were 2 ,18 & 20 mins away.

That was Essex & they said the same thing about London! I think it a real case of having to look about.. especially the way vets seem to move. there are a lot of country vets from abroad living & working in London.

 

Did you not think it might be worth try.

Oral Daktarin gel available from the Chemist can also help - squeeze an inch of gel into the beak three times a day for 2-3 days

Good luck whatever

[Sheilaz]

Hi Karen, I'm sure your instincts together with ideas here will help you decide on course of action.

It's good that she appears perky & happy, you'll know if that changes. If it's tumours there may be little you can do but nurse her to the end, whenever that might be, sooner or later.

 

One other thing is whether massaging her crop might be useful or comforting....or not! Also, I'd check if she has a temperature (hot comb) just in case.

 

But, a lot of hens seem to go this way & there aren't many of these "originals" around now, she's done well.

 

Keep us posted.

 

(Meanwhile, Jude & Chloe send their love. Both had heavy moults but are now feathered and thriving. xx)