alyb Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Hi all, please be gentle this is my first post and its not good news. Sophie Sussex isn't well. She wasn't quite right last week - nothing you could put your finger on - just not herself. Then on Monday morning in the rush to get out the wooden house she fell of the ladder but seemed ok. Later on her neck seemed to be giving her a bit of bother. She wasn't keen to go to bed - so gave her a helping hand in. Next morning no better - in fact worse - she was twisting her neck nearly all the way round. Took her to the vets on Wednesday - she thinks shes got an ear infection affecting her balance (which may explain the forward roll she did when she tried to preen herself on friday ), and gave her an injection and a weeks supply of baytril. Shes eating and drinking and pooping fine but had to put her to bed tonight and when I picked her up her head twisted round again - it doesn't seem painfull to her but really looks bad. Anybody know how long it would be before the baytril kicks in - I have been giving her it in porridge - will that be ok? Then to top it all off today Martha decides to start picking feathers out of the others bums. I feel like the worst chicken mum in the world Sorry for the long post. Alison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shtw00724 Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Hi Alison I am a novice so don't have any useful advice but thank you for the tip about giving baytril in porridge. I would think so long as she ate all the porridge and got her full dose then that would be fine (sure an expert will tell you whether it's a good idea or not). I am having to give my sick chook baytril which is very hard to do direct from the syringe. Don't berate yourself; you took your chook to the vets and are doing all you can. Hope your girl's neck gets better. Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Hello Alison and welcome to the forum Sorry your first post isn't a happy one Like all antibiotics, it can take a few days to work, but do make sure she gets the full dose. You are not a bad chicken mum at all. You took her to the vet as soon as you realised she wasn't right If only more people would do that Can't advise about the neck, although it does seem strange that the vet thinks it is an ear infection Baytril is a general spec antibiotic and very good at treating all kinds of problems, so hopefully it will work. Keeping fingers crossed for you. Will regard to Martha Try spraying the others with tea tree oil mixed with water. It tastes horrible and might stop her plucking feathers. You can buy a spray called 'Bitter Beak' from Pet shops, which works along similar lines. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyb Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 Thanks for your kind replies. Have just let them out and Sophie is still with us - really was worried last night that she might not make it. Hence the post - just had to tell somebody who understands. This forum is brill. Most of my friends think I'm nuts and are fed up hearing about the chooks. Anyway still had to lift Sophie out into the run. I don't think I really explained the neck thing right last night. Its kind of like she puts it to the side and then her head is nearly upside down - it's worse when you pick her up and if shes having a wee power nap or in the chook house - maybe because its darker in there? Will maybe try and post a picture if I can sneak up on them. They all think theres a tasty treat on the way if you go anywhere near the run. Yes they are spoilt Apart from that she seems a wee bit brighter today - so fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Has Sophie been vaccinated? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyb Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 To be honest I'm not sure if she has been vacinated. I know I should have asked Did google mareks but she doesn't seem to be paralysed anywhere, she's not off her food and water, and nothing wrong with her eyes. She even laid an egg on wednesday before going to the vet. The other 3 newbies are fine - apart from the bum pecking and was so upset last night blamed Martha when it was actually Rose the Rhode Island Red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 With regards to giving her baytril - one of mine is on a course of it at the moment as well - I found it impossible to administer it with a syringe - despite tips from lots of lovely people on here, I cannot fathom how you get it in their mouths! Anyway, mine has a slightly unhealthy obsession with cucumber at the moment and I made like a little bowl of cucumber (scooped out a bit of the middle) and put the baytril on there - she then ate the lot! Just thought it might help you. I hope your girl gets better soon - I know how much of a worry it is when you don't know what's wrong with them and the only advice you can really get is on here. This site is amazing though and will help you no end. And as a chicken keeper of a couple of years now, I have learnt that sometimes these girls can be a bit dramatic - you think they're going to die one minute and the next they are back to their normal selves! Good luck with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 Welcome to the forum, Alyb . Sorry to hear you have a poorly chicken - I can't offer any advice I'm afraid, just wanted to say it sounds like you're doing a great job . Great to see another Scottish Omleteer . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
