Bluebell2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 10 days ago I lost one of my lovely lovely girls due to peritonitis. She's had it for almost a year, but lately it had gotten worse, and I couldn't bare seeing her in pain when breathing. Although she walked and ate, she had lost lots of weight, and had also swallen lots. I have only two girls now, ex-battery hens as well, and I cannot imagine losing another one. Mica has not been feeling too well recently. For the last few weeks she slowed down (also stopped laying eggs maybe a couple of months ago). I think she is lossing weight, and just puffes up every once in a while (but is getting quite often). I just gave her 5 days of antibiotic since I though her poo looked like she was getting an infection and was completely watery. But although her droppings are still a bit loose (but better than before), they stay sticked on her butt. She is defenetely not well. Does someone know if she may have internal parasites? She loves to eat slugs and I am aware they are a source of nasty worms. I have given them Verm x although they defenetly don't love it and it is quite hard to get it into them. Could someone recommand an other good dewormer? Thanks a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Hi there sorry to hear about your recent loss The best wormer is flubenvet - I got mine from the vets and it lasts for an age. I make up 5 kilos of food with the wormer dosage in it using their mash / pellets / ex battery crumb (whatever you feed them each day with), and from this, use some to make a porridge for them. This contains their daily food, poultry spice, bran and garlic powder. They love it and finish the pot most days. When you make up the 5 kilos, put the wormer dose into 1 kilo of food, mix thoroughly then add to the remaining 4 kilos. This way the worming powder won't get "lost" in such a big amount of food. If you don't think your girls will eat this much in 7 days, half the food and the dosage. Hope this helps Regards Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebell2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Author Share Posted April 28, 2009 Thanks a lot for your help!! I will try to get some as soon as possible!!! I can't bare to see her in pain.... I really hope this will work! Julia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 You could give her some weetabix too - particuarly if she is not eating well Mine like it not too thick as it sticks to their beaks. Is she laying ? could be trying to lay a soft egg - might be worth bringing her in the warm with a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel - it will help pass anything quicker. Also just check that she is not distended underneath. Obviously will need access to food / water if you do being her in. Good luck Let us know how she is getting on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebell2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Author Share Posted April 28, 2009 Do you prepare the weetabix with water or with milk (they love milk, but I am always afraid it won't do them too good!) She is not distended, but I keep checking her regularly. Somehow I am afraid she is getting peritonitis too. She feels slimmer/lighter, but seems a bit larger, specially when she walks. When you say to wrap up a hot water bottle with a towel, is that for her to sit on? Thanks so much for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 with water, milk tends to upset their tummies I find. i use boiled kettle water Yes, hot water bottle for them to sit on - I wrao in a towel so not too hot They seem to like and it relaxes their muscles which may help pass anything that needs to come out regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Jumping in here, yes, don't use milk! They don't assimilate it easily at all, always make porridge etc for your girls with water. Very good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Thanks a lot for your help!! I will try to get some as soon as possible!!! I can't bare to see her in pain.... I really hope this will work! Julia Julia, you can buy Flubenvet online. Shop around for best price. Try: http://www.petdispensary.co.uk http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk http://www.petmeds.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebell2009 Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 I am bringing her to the vet today... she loved the weetabix but she looks very poorly still. Her poo is very watery still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Good luck Bluebell, I think you're doing the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Good luck - hope she gets on alright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebell2009 Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 Not very good news... I brought Mica to the vet yesterday. She is showing signs of peritonitis as well. Why is that so common with ex batts? Mica is now in antibiotics and pain killers, although her belly, walking and her body in general do not really show any signs of swallowing yet. I hope the medication will help her feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I am sure the medication will help her feel better in no time at all I asked my vet the very same question, its really due to their intensive breeding, they are almost cloned. Whilst most chooks have a break from egg laying, battery hens do not so it can lead to scarring and all sorts of problems Wishing her a very speedy recovery, you are doing a great job caring for her and she will know this. Best wishes Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebell2009 Posted May 3, 2009 Author Share Posted May 3, 2009 I need your help again! I have been given to Mica the antibiotic and painkiller the vet suggested. She is feeling a bit better, but often closes her eyes again and puffs up a bit. She has very strong diarrhoea, and I think maybe the painkiller is giving her a slight stomach ache. What can I give her to help against diarrhoea? She hasn’t been getting any treats. Her food now includes weetabix and layers mash with a bit of water, some vitamins and a bit of probiotic yogurt (a teaspoon). Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Bokashi bran, available from the Omlet shop will help with the squits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebell2009 Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 Thanks a lot for the recommendations. Mica is doing great! I think the pain killer was actually hurting a bit her stomach and that is why she had so much diarrhoea and kepf puffing up!, even after her infection was sorted It was good that the vet mentioned to me the fact that a pain killer could affect a lot the liver of my hen, otherwise by seeing her in pain I would have kept hiving to her even more pain killer!!! And causing even more harm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Good to hear that she is improving. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
