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

[kirsti-frog]

Hi

 

I need help/ advice urgently. My first chicken Thelma (Gingernut) is about 4 years old. She stopped laying around October 2008. About a month ago her comb started to droop, although it is very red. Two weeks ago she started tucking herself away and acting very lathargic, now she is always lying down, eyes closed. She is pecking at the ground every now and then and she is drinking although not alot and it takes alot of effort. I have 7 other Chickens (6xWarrens 21 weeks and 1x Gingernut about 3 years old).

 

I picked Thelma up tonight for a cuddle as I am so worried about her and I noticed how thin she is. I could feel all her bones. I also notices that she has lice, I have dusted her and all the others before putting them to bed. She is also very wobbly on her feet. Could all of this be down to the lice or old age or am I very far off the mark.

 

I have already lost 2 chickens, one a year ago she was eggbound, and on friday I took one to the vets as she had peritonitus, and I could not bear to watch her suffer any more!

 

Please help!!!

Many thanks

Kirsti-frog

[Egluntyne]

The lice won't have been very comfortable for her, but there are a lot of them about this year evidently.

 

It does sound as if old age has caught up with her .

 

Have you wormed her recently? An infestation could cause the symptoms you describe.

 

It might be worth starting her on a course of Flubenvet.

[kirsti-frog]

I got some flubenvet from my vet and I have a 5kg feeder. As my girls are mainly on a sandy/soil area the vet suggested that I put dose of wormer with every top up of the feeder. Especially at this time of year. I have checked the poo today when I cleaned their house and I could not see any evidence of worms.

 

I am so worried that she won't be with us in the morning!!!!

[Egluntyne]

It might be best to take he to the vet as she does sound rather poorly.

[kirsti-frog]

Just as I thought. Thelma is not with us anymore.

 

At least she will not be suffering anymore!

[Plum]

Sad news for you.

[Budgies]

I'm sorry to hear about poor Thelma, it does sound as though she was just elderly and susceptible. Hope you find comfort in the fact that she lived a good long life with you.

[kirsti-frog]

Thank you for all your kind words.

 

I think her behavior was worrying all the other ladies as they all started laying again today.

 

Once again thank you for all your support.

 

kirsti-frog

[chickyhip]

just read your message so sorry to hear about thelma, our gingernut ranger ,sage,is nearly 4 and she has exactly the same symptons and her comb has started to change colour at the tips we are really worried about her ,shes usually so bossy we are takeing her to the vets just hope she gets better

chickyhip

[kirsti-frog]

I hope Sage does get better, you must post back chickyhip when you have taken her to the vets and let us know how she gets on. Fingers crossed

[keyhole kate]

So Sorry to hear about Thelma

 

I lost my maisie this morning she had exactly the same symtoms as your Thelma

she was an Original Omlet Girl and the first I have lost.

 

I feel better knowing It was as I suspected just old age and not something I had or hadn't done so thank you for posting and once again condolences

[chickyhip]

we took sage to the vets last monday and he gave her a good examination and said he could feel fluid in her underneath he was sure it was peritonitus so he gave her an antibiotic injection and some tablets but she was so very weak she did not recover and very sadly we had her put to sleep on wednesday we couldnt let her suffer any longer but we know she had a happy life and thats all you can do .r i p sage.

chickyhip

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm so sorry to hear that . Poor little Sage .

[Plum]

Sorry to hear the news Chickyhip. Bless Sage.