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

[Henhathnofury]

I had a lovely invitation today to a film premiere....then some good news regarding my writing career. But I would give it all away to have stopped my poor Helena Pepperpot suffering a prolapse. She has had some problems laying soft-shelled eggs and seen the vet. But she was so happy today: busy, feisty, eating like a horse. Then I came back from picking up my daughter and she was high up the ground, blood everywhere and pecking at her own vent. It was clearly a prolapse, as it was protruding and bright red.

 

I washed it gently and called the vet. But she kept pecking at herself, so I had to wrap her in a towel - then sat with her, feeding her sweetcorn and grapes, giving her water. It really looked as if it was the end, the prolapse would not stay back in her vent. I have never cried so much and at one point she pecked at my tears....not hard enough to hurt but enough to taste them. She looked at me with such knowingness...a help me...

 

Bruce, our superb vet in Reading, gave us the choice to put her down or to try and use cream and anti-inflammatories. I couldn't put her to sleep, my feisty girl, until we had at least tried. So we dosed her there and then, she wheezed and laid a shelless egg with the brightest, most beautiful yolk.

 

We have brought her home and separated her. I have no idea what the morning will bring, or if the prolapse will shrink and retract with the cream. But she was so well, so full of energy today, looking up at the sky, at me, at her friends. I wanted her still to be with us, causing trouble, being the wonderful first Omlet girl we ever had.

 

So as I said, I would hand back all the good things from fate...to have her recover. Really, the thing about having chickens is that they put the real things of life in perspective: nature, loving something other than yourself, the tenderness of simplicity.

[Plum]

I'm so sorry and really hope that it resolves with this treatment. Bless her. It seems so cruel for this to happen on a day like this for you.

[Redwing]

I'm really sorry

 

I hope she bounces back

 

hugs x

[Pedro1962]

Reading with tears in my eyes.

 

Hoping for a full and speedy recovery.

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear it. I would keep her quiet and in the dark for a day or two, and on a junk food diet, such as weetabix, so that her body won't try quite so readily to churn out eggs, to give her insides a chance to rest.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Thinking of you both

 

Sha x

[Space Chick]

I hope she makes an improvement, the poor darling

[Henhathnofury]

Thank you - this is the one place I can go where people really really understand. Friends say 'Oh dear' and pass on quickly.

 

She is out on the lawn this morning, separated by fencing so that she can see her friends. But she just looks depressed, although she is eating.

 

Damn those eggs. She always lay huge eggs and this is the price she has paid for it. It seems so unfair. But she wants cuddles at the moment and likes me talking to her. She likes those treats...I have some grapes for her..which is her fav.

 

It doesn't look too hopeful...but I want to do my best for the little sweetheart. She is one hell of a character.

[Chickvic]

Hope she recovers soon

[Lydia]

Oh No!

 

She was so perky the other day when we sprayed her. I am so very sorry that things took a turn for the worse. Poor you!

 

You have my number, feel free to call if I can do anything or you just want a sympathetic ear.

[Seagazer]

I'll keep everything crossed for her.

[Daphne]

Dear HHNF - I am very sorry to hear of your trials. I am 100% of the opinion that keeping chickens (or probably any livestock) is one of the hardest things to do. The highs always come at a price - a price from deep inside. I'm sending you good wishes; just carry on lavishing your attention on Helena.

[Scramble]

Finger crossed for you

[Nats]

Oh my goodness, they're such a worry. Clearly we're all thinking of you right now - please keep us posted. All the best.

[Henhathnofury]

My poor girl's prolapse is no better - there is no shrinkage from the cream. I have her in the run and then I have alternated with having her outside. Blinking flies though..I have diatom everywhere and traps. She is eating but not as lively as she was the day before. There is something in her eyes now....a look of sadness and giving up. Stitching her up is not the answer, as she will become eggbound or strain. An operation is out of the question - I have no intention of putting her through the stress of that.

 

I put her on my lap today and cried and cried, just saying sorry to her. We will of course monitor her tomorrow but I can see that must make a decision. Her quality of life is important and not being with her beloved Desdemona in particular, is breaking both their hearts. And ours.

 

Thank you Lydia for your kind thoughts. Yes, she was so feisty and well when we sprayed on the gentian.

[Scramble]

Oh dear

I hope she keeps on striving, not giving up. ((Hugs))

x

[indigopurple]

oh how sad hope things take a turn for the better

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've just caught up with this . I'm so sorry, I hope she recovers .

[Henhathnofury]

Thanks all. She's very quiet poor darling and only perked up a bit when I gave her some rice krispies soaked in water. Junk food for her. Especially if it may be her last few days. She can see the garden - see but not be pecked by her friends. Have regular cuddles and a daily bath.

 

This is going to be a hard decision but in a way, it can only go one way. Unless she makes a sudden recovery. I'm not religious but I think even that might help at the moment.

 

Scramble - I looked through your album and fell in love with Yolko and Chickpea. If there was a choice between holiday snaps and chicken snaps, ahum.......it's the fowl one every time. Thanks for making me smile.

[Mayo]

Hi Hhnf,

 

Only just caught up with your sad news. It's always hell ; and the price we all have to pay for loving and caring so much.

 

Do hope there is better news tomorrow. Sending healing vibes and hugs.

 

Maxx.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

HHNF, you'll know if and when the time is right, in the meantime {{{hugs}}}

 

Sha x

[Plum]

I'm so sorry. Life is so cruel to chickens, they are so vulnerable. Big hugs for you.

[Henhathnofury]

A miracle - I can only call it that. This morning was poorly, with the prolapse seemingly still the same. Flies everywhere - which are not helping - have lots of fly traps and sticky paper up. I have been bathing her every day and there was a sign at times of the old fire.

 

This afternoon, she laid a soft-shelled egg and sat looking sorry for herself. A little later I washed her and got her ready for the vet - thinking that was it.

 

.....and then....the prolapse simply disappeared back inside her..even the vet was suprised.

 

Of course it may reoccur but for tonight, I feel as if an elephant has taken his foot off my chest. What a strange day...what a wonderful day.

 

Hope too for anyone with a prolapsed chicken.....

 

I am so happy....

[Egg Lou]

Oh how wonderful! I was reading this thinking it was going one way so very pleased there seems to be a happy ending.. fingers crossed she continues to improve and it stays put..

[Plum]

Wow. I'm so glad, I thought that was it when they got a big prolapse. Am praying it's going to stay there. Thinking of you, you've worked so hard to help her.