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

[manxchick]

Has anyone else experienced this? Some of my older ex battery hens have had breathing problems in last few days. All seemed to be getting better and used citrocide in their water as natural antibiotic, but last night on checking box found Iris stuggling to breathe, sounded bubby in lungs, then she suddenly choked and had convulsions and died. I tried gently massaging her neck and tipping her forward but to no avail. Am now worried about other girls, and local vets,(live on an Island) are not very poultry minded. Any advice please as this was a horrible and cruel death for our girl.

[theherd123]

I am so sorry to hear you lost your chook so suddenly, what a terrible shock!

 

Im not an expert in any way but the citricidal will help a little and maybe a visit to the vets would help as if the chooks need antibiotics then Baytril will probably be given as its a wide spectrum antibiotic which may help clear up any infections they have in their chests.

 

Do keep us posted about their well being

[chelsea]

So sorry you lost your hen so suddenly.

 

sounds like possibly from what you have described (bubbling noise) your chook may have had some kind of respiratory problem. Chickens have very sensitive respirartory systems and unfortunately if a respirtatory infection is not caught in time/or treated it can be fatal. Sadly we lost our Sam a couple of years ago to an on-going respiratory problem (wheezing, rattly breathing) and she died right in front of me.

 

Shocking as it is to witness, Im afraid the convulsions, spasms & flapping are normal when a hen passes away.

 

Like Emma suggests I would maybe try and ring around your vets on the island and see if anyone can help. Just by describing over the phone to the vet they may suggest giving you some antibiotic for the rest of your flock.

 

There is an omlet member on the Isle of Man, (Goosey Lucy) I am sure she will probably know of a good vet.

[Goosey Lucy]

Hi Manxchick,

 

Sorry to hear about Iris.

 

I haven't taken any of my hens to a vet here yet, but I've been told that there is a very competent vet at the Arg Beiyn practice, I'll pm you the details.

[Plum]

Sad news for you.

[manxchick]

Thank you to everyone, its nice to talk to people who don't have the 'its just a chicken' attitude. The other chicken, Little Babs, I was worried about seems much better this morning, all back to eating me out of house and home as usual! Will keep my usual wary eye on them all...

[BocBoc]

Goodness me - how sad