kelschooks Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Hi all I don't come on the forum very often but am really hoping someone can advise me. I have had 4 ex-bats for nearly a year now and they are great. One of the hens seems to have been getting larger than the other 3 but at first I didn't think much of it. Today she is out in the garden with the others but she looks a little sad and is waddling a bit. she isn't moving very fast and when I called them she did not come with the others. She looks slow and depressed. I picked her up and her belly seems a lot more swollen than the others and when I look at her from the front her legs seem further apart (hence the waddling I guess). My first thought was that maybe she had some tumour or other, then I wondered if it might be something more simple. I read about egg binding (I have been getting eggs but no idea if she is laying, with 4 I find it difficult to tell) or a full crop but am not sure how to tell if that might be the problem. I don't think it is the crop (or not that alone anyway) as the swollen tummy seems to be nearer her bottom. She is pecking at the grass etc so still seems to have some interest in eating. I would be grateful for any insight. Thanks Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebell2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 Hi Kelly, I had the exact same problem with one of my girls. We had had 3 lovely ex batts for a year and a month, and just 10 days ago we lost one. Since the beginning she seemed a bit larger than the other 2. She stopped laying eggs after 5 months, and was always a bit slower than the other 2. At the beginning I thought she had a bit of pain in her legs because of what I thought it was overweight. But my hen had peritonitis. In February she got a nasty infection and I treated her for a month with antibiotics, she recovered but never was the same again. Her belly got swallen, lots, she had difficulties breathing when sitting down, and was not very enthusiatic about certain foods (as she used to in the past). She went downhill pretty quick, always trying to catch up with the other 2 but never being able to really keep up. It is hard with birds because they don't show pain as other animals do, but at one point I knew she had been suffering long enough. I am not an expert with peritonitis, but what I have read is that is cannot be cured. You can diminish the discomfort the girl has by draining her belly and giving her pain killers and antibiotics. I think peritonitis it is pretty common with ex-batts. Their light regime in the factory is too severe and affects their reproductive system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 It sounds as if she has peritonitis. She needs to see a vet I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelschooks Posted April 28, 2009 Author Share Posted April 28, 2009 Thanks to both of you. It sounds as though the outlook is bleak. I will get her to the vet tomorrow. I remind myself that she would have been dead a year ago if we had not rescued her and she has had the most wonderful year pecking, scratching and sunbathing in our garden. Unfortunately she (Maisy) is my 4 year old daughter's hen and she may not be as philosophical as me Kelly x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Unfortunately she (Maisy) is my 4 year old daughter's hen and she may not be as philosophical as me I feel for you there - I'm dreading one of ours going, luckily(?) we had a fish go first so my two have been eased into the pets going and we got to talk about how it's ok to miss them but we needn't be too sad if they were happy while they were here etc etc. Somehow I don't think that'll cut it when a beloved chicken goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelschooks Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 Well sadly we had Maisy PTS this afternoon. I had prepared my daughter that Maisy might have to go to heaven soon. she goes to a Christian Montessori nursery and they do quite a bit around life- cycles etc. Also recently the Easter story. But nothing could prepare her for the sight of the empty carrier coming back from the vets, enter uncontrollable sobbing followed by demands that I don't talk about it anymore because it makes her too sad This morning she asked me if it was worse for Maisy in the battery cage or worse going to heaven. I told her it was far worse in the cage and Maisy would never suffer again if she went to heaven. Also tried to tell her what a lovely year Maisy had with us pecking and sunbathing and free but she is convinced the battery cage couldn't be worse than how she is feeling now! She has seen us bury 2 rabbits and a cat in the vegetable patch but the last time was about a year ago and she is so much more aware now. We will get through it. I have been trying to contact my local BHWT coordinator to find out when their next rescue is but have not heard back. We were already going to get anothher 2 hens anyway but now we will get 3. My daughter plans to call her next chicken pancake. Thanks for all your help. Kelly x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Im so sorry to hear your sad news and im sending big hugs to you all esp your lovely & caring daughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear the news - it's very hard having our wee girls put to sleep. your daughter sounds lovely! I hope you get your new girls soon and that they can help you move forward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Very sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 sorry to hear the news. I've had 2 ex batts with peritonitis, antibiotics bought them a few more months but more often than not it does come back and eventually they don't have the strength to keep fighting it. A year is a lovely long time to experience all those chickeny things they've missed out on and I bet she had a lovely life with you. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 So sorry to hear about your little feathery lady Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear about poor little Maisy . I hope your daughter feels better soon . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 so sorry to hear about Maisie, its hard letting them go even though you know its the kindest thing. What a lovely time she will have had with you, and a year that most ex batts don't even experience so feel happy that you were able to give her that Best wishes Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelschooks Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 Thank you all! I am very grateful for your kind words especially as I don't have time to get on the forum very often. Can I just ask one more question? My husband has asked if we should not eat the recently laid eggs as Maisy was poorly. What do you think? I can't see that many of the very recent ones would have been from her to be honest and it woud seem like a dreadful waste to get rid of them for nothing. I am being cautious as I don't want to make the kids sick or my granparents who have 4 eggs a week from me! Kelly x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I'd eat them As you say, they are unlikely to be hers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
