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

[Lizzie]

Hope somebody can help..

 

Harriet is an ex batt, we have had her since last July and has always been the biggest and healthiest of all the ex batts we keep.

 

She had a blip about a month or more ago with a little chest infection. She was put onto a course of baytril and has been absoutely fine.

We went on hols last week (first time in a year) and the cats and chooks were looked after by our usual live in cat sitter. We got back Friday and Harriet was definatly under the weather and we assumed she was trying to pass a softie as she has been doing quite alot recently. However, we have given her zolcal (neat) for the last couple of days (0.1ml) dose and also baytril in case she has got an infection.

Although she is talking and drinking some water, she is wandering around in slow motion and has lost weight, though she has been eating weetabix when given as their afternoon treat. Not interested in millworms at all and they are her favourite.

 

 

Hubby is going to give her some sugar water now and try to boost her energy and will also see if will eat weetabix and how much. If not, I will take her to the vets

Any idea what could be wrong ?

They have all been wormed with flubenvet recently and their house and dustbath treated for red mite. All of the other 4 hens are fine.

 

Any advice gratefully received as always

 

Regards

Liz

Edited June 8, 2009 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

As she is an ex batt, she could be coming to the end I'm afraid. They have had a very harsh life and it takes its toll.

 

As she is so poorly, I'd take her to the vet.

[Lizzie]

thank you Egluntine for your advice

I am taking her at 6.30pm this evening and thankfully seeing the chook vet.

I will obviously do whatever is best for her, though if I have to let her go will be very sad as we always are when the time comes

 

Regards

Liz

[Lizzie]

Took her to the vets though by the time I got home last night she definately had perked up a bit and was showing in an interest in eating food, though not pellets / mash

Vet agreed that she probably had an internal infection so she is now on a course of baytril (0.2ml twice a day) for 7 days. She could also have a tumour.

 

Anyhow, she was given an injection and when she got back home was running around like a nutter - up to her usual antics, definately more like her usual self. This morning, not so good but hopefully this course of antibiotics will sort her out

 

We will just take every day as it comes as this may all come back.

 

Regards

Liz

[chocchick]

Hope she feels better soon.

[Lizzie]

Sadly, despite our best efforts and having everything crossed, I had to have Harriet PTS on Saturday morning. She is the 4th hen we have lost since April this year and is very much missed as she was such a fun and chatty chook.

It wasn't clear what was wrong, but she had lost 5% of her total body weight in two days. The only way to find out would have been to put her through a load of tests and the vet and I agreed that it would not be fair on her, considering her past.

 

Regards

Liz

[Budgies]

I'm so sorry to hear that, it's very sad having to make that decision for a much-loved feathery friend.

 

RIP Harriet.

[Mrs Frugal]

Really sorry to hear that, Lizzie . It's a horrible decision to make which doesn't get any easier but you know in your heart that it's the right one.

[Peaches]

Liz, what a horrid predicament for you. So sorry you have lost the lovely Harriet. Like you, I have just learnt that caring for ex-batts is roller-coaster ride. The highs are great (first time they flap their wings, the happy trumpeting noises they make, their love of grapes), but the lows are just terrible.

 

She saw out her days in chook heaven with you.

 

Fi

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm so sorry .

[FiggyPudding]

very sad to read Harriet didn't make it. She had a lovely time with you though & you did your best. I had my exbatt & rescue hen put to sleep last week. I cried my eyes out & I'd only had her a month.

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear it.

[Hens@HalfMoonLane]

I'm sorry to hear about Harriet too.

 

I lost 2 ex bats I'd had for 10 months in April and it's so upsetting. That said after much thought (and enthusiasm from an excited Moistin) I have 2 more now knowing that they have problems and possibley a shorter life. This time i'm assuming they won't live for long and am focussing my energy on enjoying them enjoying life rather than getting too attatched.