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

[Margalot]

I am worried about Bon bon, but dont know whether to take her to a vet or not?

 

She hasnt seemed herself lateley, and I posted just before Good Friday about her sitting down and closing her eyes, but when we got back form our break she seemed fine again.

 

We cant be sure she is laying as egg production has dropped and we have watched her twice go into the nest box for about half an hour only to come back out again with nothing, that was Sat and Sun.

 

I have examined her and her abdomen feels more spongey that the others, but she is the biggest and fattest hen. Yesterday when she sits down it seems as if you can she her breathing, her body lifts up and down gently and I know this sounds awful but her rear seems as if its pulsing?

 

But she is up and about, eating, drinking, running for treats with the others. Last night when I shut them up she was sat at the front of the coop and her beak seemed to be open a little and again you could see her body go up and down. she is not rattley breathing, her poos are fine not runny, she was wormed about 3 weeks ago, has no sign of lice etc seems happy for most of the time.

 

I gave her a dip in a warm bath yesterday which she hated incase she was eggbound.

 

Do you think she could have an infection and I should take to the Vet? ( I have to find one yet in Swindon) or should I wait and see? I dont want the vet to think I am barking mad, but at the same time I was so relieved to see her this morning, I was convinced she wouldn't be up and about.

 

Is a consultation likely to be expensive? and what about if she is prescribed anti-biotics etc.

 

There is an Avian Vet at the Great Western Referrals Vets in Swindon, soi Might give them a call, but wondered if anyone had a clue as to what it might be??

[Snowy]

Has she been laying soft shelled eggs? It could be that one is on the way - that can make them off colour. Might be worth trying the warm dunking again to encourage it out.

Also, is her crop normal? You have done all the usual things (worming) so not sure what else to suggest. Maybe just keep an eye on her for a bit longer and if she continues to deteriorate or appears to be suffering, then consider a vet visit. xx

[sandyhas3chucks]

but find your vet now anyway. It will save you any panicing & stress when you decide you want one when ever that is. just ring around or use the rsv website search.

[Margalot]

Well,

I came back from walking the dog and she was sat on the run floor again, so I have booked her in with the vet for 11.30 this morning.

 

They treat chickens and have 4 avian specialists there. I was talking to the nurse who said the had a chicken in the other day with similar symtoms and she had yolks in her abdomen.

 

Feel a bit better now, just hope I am not going to get a bill that makes me need medical atention!!

 

I will let you know what the outcome is

 

Thank you

 

Michelle

 

P.S the nurse asked if the chicken had a name, I told her Bonbon ......she laughed and said she had heard worse! I then admitted to her it was my hen and I had named her She laughed again and said at least I admitted to it! I could have blamed the kids!!

[sandyhas3chucks]

well done, let us know how she goes. and the cost too would be interested, good luck.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry to hear about Bonbon . Good luck at the vets .

[purplefowler]

All the best at the vets. I have just got back myself and the piece of mind knowing that you have done something positive is worth the trip and money Hope all is ok.

[Margalot]

Well,

I am back from the Vets, buit its not good news, I am shocked, but really glad I made the decision to take por Bon bon

 

I had to have her PTS, I am sat here now crying my eyes out, I really didnt think it would have affected me as mutch, but I am so upset.

 

The lovely lady at the vets was wonderful, she examined Bonbon and found her to have fluid around her abdomen, so the options were to drain it off and then give her antibiotics, although it would more than likely repeat itself at some point and she may not lay properly again, or have her PTS. I opted for the drain off and thought I would give it a go with that and medicine, and then if it did reoccur i would have to re-evaluate.

 

However when she had an ultrasound prior to having the drainoff, her egg tube was found to be twisted with an egg stuck behaind it and the fluid was solid and unable to be drained off. So no options open really except to do the kindest thing and have her PTS.

 

I couldnt bear to see her so have left her there to be PTs and disposed of. I am really choked, but have to thank the vets who were so lovely, I cant beleive I blubbed at the vets too, but they were really so kind and understanding.

 

Before I went I was told the consultation fee would be £30, but have left after taking up 40mins of their time, Bonbon examined, ultrasound and PTS and diposal with a bill of just £21.00.

 

The funny thing was she wasnt even acting that poorly, just a bit off colour so I am so glad she is out of her discomfort, and didnt suffer.

 

My OH has told me to go and get another hen, but I cant bring myself just yet and dont want to go through introductions etc at the mo. I will see how I feel though and keep you all posted

Michelle x

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Oh, Michelle, I'm so so sorry . You've got me in tears just reading about it . Poor Bonbon was obviously pretty poorly, wasn't she, so being PTS was the only option . I hope you feel better soon.

[Margalot]

Thank you, I think it was the fact that I took her to be PTS, maybe if she had gone in the night I wouldn't feel so bad, never had to do anything like this before.

Just cannot stop blubbing. feel so stupid

[sgregson]

I'm sorry to hear about Bonbon. It is soooo upsetting when you have to have a pet PTS but take comfort from the fact that she isn't suffering anymore and you've done the right thing. I have no experience of having hens yet (ours arrive next week) but I've had to have a couple of cats PTS and it is so distressing.... they're part of the family after all.

 

Sending you a BIG hug

[Griffin]

So sorry to hear that you lost Bon Bon. It's awful losing them so young too.

 

I hope you don't think I'm being insensitive but can I ask which vets you used today? I'm in Faringdon and mine are useless and I don't know where I'd go with a sick chicken. Yours sounded very good indeed and I'd be interested in using them for chickens.

[Margalot]

Thank you,

No i dont think you are being insensitive at all, and I have just pm'd Kate to let her know about the vet, they were wonderful and really kind,

 

It was the Great Western Referrals, Unit 10 Berkshire House, County Business Park, Shrivenham Road, Swindon Tel: 01793 603800 http://www.gwreferrals.co.uk

 

They have 4 avian specialists there, and the lady I saw was lovely and seemed very knowledgable,

 

They let you know before any procedure how much it is going to be, but I dont know how they worked out my bill, because I was told initial consultaion would be £30.00, and I was upset so just tapped in my PIN and left but They charged me £21.00?

 

That was for everything?

 

Michelle

The kids will be home soon, and then I will start to cry again, dont want to tell them

[Griffin]

Ah excellent, I know where they are and have used them previously with a sick handreared kitten. They used to provide out of hours cover for my vets. That's really good to know and actually quite a relief to know there is a good chicken vet nearby.

 

Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. My kids were and continue to be a huge help since Catherine Columbine died. We were all devastated but four months on she continues to play a part in our lives despite not physically being here.

[madchickenlady]

So sorry I had to have my girl, Delilah, put down last month. It's awful, but sometimes the kindest thing x

[sandyhas3chucks]

that is so sad, know just how you feel, with one I had no choice, with the othr I was like you, not expecting it. It is sooo heart breaking. big hugs Sandy

[Chickvic]

Sorry for the loss of Bonbon When I lost Pearl I was exactly the same, they are part of the family.

[purplefowler]

I am so sorry to here you bad news. It is really hard to tell with these chooks just how poorly they are. Trust me, you would have felt alot worse if you hadn't gone to the vet and she just slipped away (my last dog was a similar situation and I have never quite got over it). My thoughts are with you.

[Margalot]

Just wanted to post to say thank you all for your kind words. It is so nice to know that people understand it is not just a chicken

 

I am feeling a bit better now have got over the shock. I have just been talking to my OH and said to him when I took her to the vet it just wasn't the outcome I had expected at all, I thought I would be coming away with some drugs and nursing her better. I also felt like the hangman, as if I had done the deed, but I do know she is much better off out of pain, and feel comfort from that.

 

I am now determined to get another maybe 2 more and will be looking for an old rabbit hutch soon, so I can start introductions properly.

 

My son said at least yesterday she had a lovely day, we moved their pen onto new lush grass, they had had the freedom of the whole garden and the sun was shining, she was even preening and had a dustbath, so we know she was a happy hen.

 

One thing the Vet did mention was that she was a bit thin, but we never noticed? she was our largest hen and always eating, so maybe it was where she had lost her appetitie, anyway must stop maudling now.

 

Thank you all for being so lovely It really helped me

 

Michelle

[chelsea]

 

Before I went I was told the consultation fee would be £30, but have left after taking up 40mins of their time, Bonbon examined, ultrasound and PTS and diposal with a bill of just £21.00.

 

The funny thing was she wasnt even acting that poorly, just a bit off colour so I am so glad she is out of her discomfort, and didnt suffer.

 

 

So sorry to hear about Bon Bon poor sweetheart. However you did the right thing and you must feel relief that you did take her to the vet. Chickens are brave little things arent they? My Ella was the same as Bon Bon at the vets and never even flinched when her bowel was ruptured and hanging out her bottom.

 

It sounds like you have found a very knowledgable and understanding vet there and it was good of them to offer the ultra sound as I would imagine some vets without avian experience would have just said PTS without consideration.

 

Good price for everything too.

 

((hug))

[*mummy_hen*]

So sorry to hear your news - when we lost Thelma i was so completely devastated.

 

Just thought i would say that GWR are absolutely brilliant - they are an hour from us but we always take our girls there and they really know their stuff. I tend to take my girls if i see any odd signs as chickens are very good at masking illness.

 

Once again, i am so sorry. They become such a massive part of the family and is heartbreaking to lose one.*big hugs*

[sandyhas3chucks]

I am feeling a bit better now have got over the shock. I have just been talking to my OH and said to him when I took her to the vet it just wasn't the outcome I had expected at all, I thought I would be coming away with some drugs and nursing her better. I also felt like the hangman, as if I had done the deed, but I do know she is much better off out of pain, and feel comfort from that.

It won't make you feel any better but that is exactly how I felt too. I felt I had failed her.

It so heartbreaking, we are all her with you.

[Lizzie]

So sorry to hear about your loss, I have had to have a dear chook pts this evening, my second in three weeks and we are terribly upset. We, like you, were so attached to the sweethearts. You have done the kindest thing, no point in letting them suffer.

 

Best wishes

 

Liz