Single hen

[GKH]

My littlest ex batt is poorly. She has seemed a little off colour for last couple of days all hunched up and not dust bathing in the sunshine. Today i noticed she seems to be gasping to breathe and when i handled her (something) she won't normall let me do) i can her her chest almost 'clicking' when she breathes. her comb is all pale too

 

any advice would be appreciated i'm just off to ring the vet

[Guest]

all I can advise is get her to the vet asap, doesn't sound like anything we can give you a remedy for.

 

In the meantime, bring her inside in a pet carrier if poss, where it's quiet and maybe a bit cooler than outside?

[chelsea]

clicking could be a sign of something respiratory, if so would need antibiotics asap.

 

Hope she pulls through.

[Egluntyne]

I agree....she needs to see a vet. Today.

[GKH]

I've just come back form the vets and its not good news the vet said its a respiratory infection he has given her an antibiotic and she has to go back tomorrow if she nakes it through the night she is in a carrrier in the hall (so its quieter) and she did eat a few pieces of sweetcorn. but he told me to expect the worst. I can't stop crying which is embarressing my inlaws who are staying at the moment.

[Guest]

she's probably had a shot of baytril, it can work wonders. There's still hope! The vet has to err on the side of caution but be positive and keep her warm (but not too warm) and comfortable and quiet.

 

the fact she's still eating is a really good sign!

 

Lots of good vibes coming yours and her way and hope the baytril does its stuff xxxx

[Egluntyne]

I've just come back form the vets and its not good news the vet said its a respiratory infection he has given her an antibiotic and she has to go back tomorrow if she nakes it through the night she is in a carrrier in the hall (so its quieter) and she did eat a few pieces of sweetcorn. but he told me to expect the worst. I can't stop crying which is embarressing my inlaws who are staying at the moment.

 

 

Poor girl....and poor you.

 

I would keep her warm and try to encourage her to drink too. Dribble or syringe water into her beak if you can.

 

Fingers crossed.

[Plum]

No advice to give just sending positive vibes and hoping she picks up.

[GKH]

Update on Katie

well no change really shes been to the vets twice for injections she hasn't eaten hardly anything despite me giving her all kinds of treats. She still is having trouble breathing and the vet said to keep her apart from the others. so she has her own little run in the garden but she looks so sad as i think she wants to be back with her mates - when does anyone think its okay to do this?

[Guest]

why don't you pop her back in with them and keep an eye on things just in case? If she has an inection though you may risk giving it to the others.

 

fingers x'd for her xxx

[Egluntyne]

I'd keep her separate , for two reasons.

 

She might have something which could infect the rest of the flock, and in her weakened state, her companions may turn on her and attack her.

 

They sense when another hen is ill, this is why hens disguise the fact that they are ailing, from their companions....and their owners.... as a protection mechanism, and so as to not loose their place in the pecking order.

 

I would keep her warm so that she is not wasting valuable energy trying to maintain her temperature, and syringe water into her beak with a tots medicine syringe if she is reluctant to drink, to prevent de-hydration.

[Guest]

If one of mine is poorly, I try and keep them together if at all possible as it does seem to stress them out less, unless the vet has advised otherwise.

 

I find that if one of my girls is ill, the others sort of 'pull up a chair' and keep an eye on their friend but you know your flock better than anyone so it's your call really, whatever you think is best.

 

It's probably best to do what your vet says really

[GKH]

Hi

3 vets in 3 days

first one was 'supposedly' the chicken expert he was awful and verymuch 'its only a chicken'

Sat and Sun vets were both newbies which whilst being very nice didn't seem to know very much apart from - its not good and i've been charged 3 different prices for the same injection - i should complain but its been getting cheaper each time.

 

I've decided to put her back in with her mates in the day when they are free ranging and bring her in at night to keep her warm and so no-one can pick on her when i'm not supervising

 

She has eaten a drunk little bits today but still sounds awful when she breathes. The vet today suggested putting her to sleep i couldn't bare it not while she is still up and walking (a little) and eating and drinking - am i being cruel?

[Guest]

not cruel at all, if you think she's got a chance then stick with it, she'd stop eating and drinking altogether if she was on her way out. Where there's life, there's hope!

 

what has the vet given you to give her?

 

you could also try her with some citricidal, if you order it from omlet then it should arrive the next day.

[Groovychook]

Just caught up with this... hope you're girl is doing better

[GKH]

Hi Poet

 

didn't even look to see what oral antibiotic it is. Baytril for injections. She seems the same today - I would have thought i would have seen a change one way or other

 

i will get some citridil now thx

[chelsea]

Baytril can be given orally or intramuscular. Our vet always does the intramuscular for us as OH is very experienced with poultry and does the injections/injects straight into the breast area. Tylan is also another oral antibiotic. When our chook had a respiratory infection they gave us both.

 

Hope she's better soon.

[GKH]

she's still hanging on in there

[Guest]

oh bless her heart, really hoping she pulls thru, poor little fighter come on Katie! xxxx

[chelsea]

she sounds like she's made of strong stuff!

 

Everything crossed for her.

[sandyhas3chucks]

just to say I have had an ailing chook since Feb; not al the time that would be cruel, but she has had 3 differnt courses of anti biotic. then I sent a pooh sample to reffords. 4 days later a result & the correct (hopefully ) anti biotic in th posty.

water is soooo important they dehydrate so easily. try every bit of food you can at diferent times. I find feeding her with the mobottom chook works as the competition made her at least try to eat with out having to find energy to fight for it. live yoghurt & digestive biscuits is liked. but for 3 days she would ONLY eat cucumber, then not but ONLY lettuce. they all seem to like boiled or scrambled egg when they are not feeling good especially if it was mine! but do get fluid into her.

good luck.

oh & how about another vets, one that doesn't think "it's only a chicken" pah! he's only a human!

[GKH]

Well she is still with us, she sounds awful chest is still really crackly. I bring her in at nights to keep her warm

she is eating a little sweetcorn grated cheese, baby rice (well it works)

 

Sandy what is the address of the place to send her poo - i can't believe i'm asking this

and what vet do you use?

 

Still waiting for Omlet to deliver my 'grapefruit extract (can't remember proper name) still hasn't arrived and was due on tuesday !!

[Chooks Aloud]

When I took Dolly to the vet they said I ought to think about putting her down - that was 7 months ago, and okay so she doesn't lay any more and has a bit of a limp, but she seems to enjoy life and I love having her.

[Chooks Aloud]

Sorry forgot to add, try putting some eucalyptus oil on a tissue in the eglu at night, might just help her a little.

 

Karen

[sandyhas3chucks]

http://www.retfordpoultry.co.uk/

you don't need the vets for them but they might won't throat /crop swabs as its a breathinbg thing.

they send you meds etc back too.

very helpful if you phone them too.