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

[Nicola O]

Mildred was very quiet and subdued yesterday, and I didn't see her eat and drink much. I brought her in and used a dropper bottle to give her some water with avipro which she readily took, but was still not interested in food. I did this a few times during the day and she's perked up a bit, her crop was a reasonable size but felt a bit squishy so opened her beak and her breath is terrible - so I'm guessing it's sour crop.

 

I massaged her crop and then gently tipped her upside down and a load of green, smelly liquid was expelled - I only held her like that for four to five seconds and brought right way up any washed over her beak to make sure none of the gunk was in her nostrils. Of course, no where is open now but it looks like tomorrow I'll be getting Daktarin gel, probiotic yoghurt and some maggots.

 

Anything else I should be doing ? She is an older chook so would it be better to go to the vet tomorrow instead ?

 

Nicola

Edited May 6, 2009 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

I would take her to the vet, as she might need an anti fungal.

 

Feeding her live bio yoghurt and home made applesauce, without sugar will help, as will adding Apple Cider Vinegar to her drinking water. Daktarin Oral Gel, a pea sized blob into the beak 3 or 4 times a day is another treatment.

[Nicola O]

Thanks

 

After posting yesterday I'd already decided that the vet would def be needed, especially as this is my first crop problem. I'm also now worried about her weight - as an old ex-bat she's always been a really thin chook (even though she's always had a good appetite) so she can't really go for too long without eating properly.

 

Will ring vets first thing.

 

Nicola

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry to hear about your poorly girl . Good luck getting a vet today - keep us posted .

[Nicola O]

Got an appointment for 10.20 am - but not with the poultry man (not in this week) The receptionist said none of the others really know anything aboult chickens so I might need to tell the vet what she needs.

 

So can someone confirm for me - I think it's Nystatin, possible an antibiotic as well? Also, I've heard about an injection to stimulate appetite - would that be a good idea as she isn't interested in any food at the moment.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

Nicola.

[Nicola O]

Well, back from vet now - It's def sour crop so they've kept her in so they can flush her crop out, and then give her the anti-fungal, and check that she then starts to eat and drink again OK.

 

They weighed her and she is 1.75kg - so when she comes home she'll need feeding up. Fingers crossed she'll be on the mend soon.

 

Nicola.

[Egluntyne]

Best of luck.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Fingers crossed for her .

[sandyhas3chucks]

Fingers crossed for her .

and toes!

[Budgies]

Everything crossed for your girl here. At least she's in the right place and getting the best chance of coming through this. Hugs for you.

[Nicola O]

Well, she's home.

 

They drained her crop and checked the contents ( ) to see if it was a parasitic or bacterial problem. No beasties, a yeast infection. When I got her home she was very unresponsive but I managed to get her to take a tiny amount of water and, as she's had such a stressful day, a couple of drops of rescue remedy.

 

I have been given a bottle of Nystatin (6mls a day) and she also had an injection to stimulate her gut. The next challenge is to get her to eat something. She's in a box in the lounge with me and I've given her a small amount of cheese, cucumber and ham, very finely chopped and she has picked at it. She's currently having a nap.

 

Thing is, do I keep Mildred in tonight or put her back in the eglu with Myrtle, who seems to be missing her. If she stays in Myrtle would be on her own so should I then put her in with some of the others ? Then tomorrow I have to go to work.......will she be OK for the day - inside in the box or out with the others ....or should I take her to work with me that would be a laugh, she could sit in the corner, I'm sure she wouldn't be any trouble . Oh, I don't know what to do for the best.

 

Nicola

[Budgies]

If they are really good friends, I'd wait til the well girl is asleep then pop Mildred in to sleep with her.

 

I think she'll probably need nursing and hand feeding if necessary tomorrow, and definitely monitoring if at all possible. Could a neighbour spend some time with her?

[sandyhas3chucks]

all crossed for you. I would think she will need tempting little and often, don't know how you acheive that and go to work?

hope you will get some advice real soon.

[Nicola O]

I couldn't sleep so got up at 5am to check on her, but sadly Mildred died in the night .

 

Having a pants time recently, that's two girls died in four days and now leaves Myrtle living on her own so I'll have to move her into the other eglu or cube with some of the others for company.

 

To top it all when I carried Mildred out to the shed I noticed that the freezer had somehow been switched off and had defrosted all over the floor.

 

Nicola

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear about Mildred.

 

Nuisance about the freezer.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Oh no, I'm so sorry . What a shame .

 

Rotten luck about the freezer too .

[quickcluck]

OH nicola what a shame for you!!! You've done absolutely everything you could for her though....... but so sad. I hope moving myrtle goes smoothly.

 

Positive thoughts

 

K

[Chickvic]

Sorry to hear about Mildred

[Budgies]

So sorry to hear about Mildred, that's very sad.

[ClaireG]

so sorry to hear about Mildred.

[sandyhas3chucks]

It's pants... really feel for you xx

[Gamebird]

So sorry to hear about Mildred.

 

You did all you could for her and it sounds as though she died peacefully in her sleep.

[Lewis]

Not sounding like a good week at all.

Hopefully the rest will be ok.

[Nicola O]

Thank you all for your kind words, it really has been a pants week and it's comforting to know that there are others out there who understand.

 

Myrtle seems a bit 'lost' today (the two of them were practically joined at the hip). They were the two who would steam through the back door and have a good guzzle from the dog's water bowl. With the door open she keeps coming in and is wondering further into the house - I swear she is looking for her pal. I have decided to put her in the cube tonight and I'm sure it won't take long for her to settle in with them.

 

At least I know that Mildred had TWO YEARS of freedom after coming out of the cage, and she had the best life scratching in the garden, being a 'real' chicken.

 

Nicola

Edited May 6, 2009 by Guest

[tidygirlsuk]

You poor thing. sorry to here that