kez Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 (edited) Hi everyone. Has anyone got any ideas as to what might be wrong with my two chooks please? Liberty has not been herself for a week or so. At first we thought it was because she was moulting. She hadn't been so perky. But over the last few days she seems to have got worse. Now she seems to hardly eat or drink, sleeps a lot and doesn't move much. Her poos are also very runny. The last couple of days we have noticed Melody not looking heself either - also runny poos and not so perky. Neither have laid eggs for about a week. We think they have probably been eating fallen plums from next doors tree. Could this be causing the problem? I have a horrible feeling they are both on their way out. Should I take them to the vets? Any advice gratefully received. Thank you in advance. Kerry Edited August 17, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I don't know about plums but if they are not eating or drinking they can go downhill very fast. Have you wormed them recently? I would dose them up on Flubenvet and check them over for mites/ lice as these can deplete their energy too and stop them laying. Somtimes bokashi bran with probiotic yogurt helps so if you have either or both then I would give it a try. If there is no sign of anything I would take them to a vet sooner rather than later. Hope they improve.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 They sound really poorly I would take them to the vet for help, it could be an infection and a course of antibiotics could sort it out. Have you wormed them and checked them for lice etc? Hope they pick up. Alih you beat me to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted August 4, 2009 Author Share Posted August 4, 2009 Hi Alih and plum I wormed them mid May so will do it again. Although I don't know if they will eat the 'doctored' grape. I chased them round with lice powder last week. Should I do that again? Looks like the vets tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I believe it helps their tums recover if you give Avipro which helps balance the bacteria in the gut. I got it from http://www.viovet.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=avipro&x=39&y=30 your vet may have it. Good luck at vet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemschooks Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 just out of interest - when i took my poorly girls to the vets today, he suggested that adding more chemicals to a bird under par (in my case, i had red-mite powdered them and flubenvet-ed as a precautionary measure) was not a great idea, and indicated that unless there was a clear need to do this, it would be better to wait for tests. hadn't heard this before, but might be relevant in your case too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted August 4, 2009 Author Share Posted August 4, 2009 Thanks for your advice everyone. I will ring the vets in the morning. I won't give them anything till the vet's seen them. I just hope I haven't left it too late. Fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Let us know how you get on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 They're still no better today. Although they were pecking rain off the run this morning. I rang the vets and have an appointment for 5.40 pm today. Really hoping they both come back with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Are you able to pick them up and check them over for lice? the only reason i ask is cos my Amber Star who is normally tearing around the garden like roadrunner was under the weather on Sunday. I was able to scoop her up (must have been feeling bad) and when I parted her feathers under her vent there were liceamundo! A quick squirt with Johnson Anti-mite (*not licenced for poulrty in UK) and the following day I checked her bum and no live lice! She was also back to doing her very best roadrunner impression so was fairly difficult to pick up. I have given all my girls a squirt and done a complete clean. I will repeat the squirt and the clean on day 7 to take care of any lice egg hatchings. Ps there is a recommended egg withdrawal on this product and the active ingredient is toxix to cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Hi everyone Chooks have been to the vets. Very knowledgable - definately recommend him. Hugh Duffin at The Animal House in Rugby. He checked them both over. They've probably got an infection, picked up from the wild birds in the garden. He gave them both an injection and I've got some medicine to give them over the next 24 hours. Anyone got any tips on how to open a chickens beak? We had great fun giving them their first dose. They've perked up a bit already and have been drinking their water. Looks like they will be ok - thank goodness Kerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Sorry can`t help on the opening beak thing but just wanted to say I am glad you got on well at the vets! Sending get well wishes to your girls and good luck wishes to you on applying the medicine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 If you or someone else holds the chicken firmly on your knee, press lightly on the sides of the chicken's beak with the other hand and it should open automatically and let you get whatever needs to go in, in. Be careful not to put a syringe or simliar in too far as their windpipe is veyr close to their throat. A bit at a time would be my advice but there are more knowledgable people who will be along soon I am sure. Glad to hear they seem perkier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 Since their trip to the vet last week they both perked up, then have been very up and down since. This morning I noticed something hanging from Liberty's vent. It's about 6 inches long. I washed her bum with warm water and gently pulled it - it wouldn't move. Should I try and push it back in or leave it. They've got an apt at the vets today at 4.40pm. Is there anything I could do for her in the meantime. She's very sleepy and still laying on the lawn where I washed her about an hour ago. She's eating a bit but I haven't seen her drink today. Any ideas? Kerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Sounds like the remains of a soft egg. How did you get on at the vets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggalp Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 i am syringing my hen with medicine at the moment. The vet told me that the windpipe is near the front of the beak and the throat at the back, so she said put the syringe towards the back - i am on day five and it seems to be ok so far - she said because the windpipe is at the front this makes it quite difficult to drown a chicken - but it is possible!! We are wrapping her in a towel and my hubby holds her whilst i open her beak with my nails at the sides, i just sort of hold her head and prise it open. hope this helps and they are making a recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 That's interesting. How did it go at the vets tonight. Thinking of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 I think I'm more traumatised than the chooks. We were at the vets for nearly two hours! Liberty had an 8 inch mound of mangled grass removed from her vent. Not surprisingly she picked up a bit after that was out. She's on more antibiotics for the next week so hopefully she'll be ok. Melody has got sour crop. She will be having medicine when the vets get it in on Thursday. In the mean time I will be syringing her water and very mashed up food. I'm really hoping they are better soon as we go on holiday in a fortnight. My neighbour will look after them if they're well, but I'm stuck if they're still on medicine or being fed by syringe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 she must feel better without that no wonder she was off it. You are having a right old time. While you are waiting for the meds for sour crop I understand that apple puree helps correct ph Seems a shame to have to wait. Hope she picks up, you'll be ready for your holiday after all this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 Thanks Plum. I forgot about the apple sauce. Off to make some now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 R.I.P. poor Melody She'd been sleepy for the last couple of days and was still on her medication for sour crop, then this afternoon she just keeled over and died. My two children are distraut. I'm taking Melody to the vets tomorrow for them to cremate her. £18.29!!! The problem now is, we go on holiday in a week for 10 days and Liberty is on her own. I don't know if she'll be ok on her own for that length of time, or get some more hens before we go - which is cutting it fine for introductions. Also, we have no tempory accommodation. I'm taking Liberty to the vets again on Wednesday, to make sure she is now ok. Seems much more perky. Still hasn't got the strength to jump though. Any advice please? Kerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 So sorry to hear your news. I really don't know what I would do about Liberty. If she's not very strong it may be too stressful to do introductions anyway, so I would wait until I got back. What about leaving a radio playing music near her, I've heard they find it calming. Do you have any friend or neighbour with chickens you could put her run near theirs till you get back. Best take her with you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I was going to suggest perhaps send her on holiday too to somewhere there are other hens. She would obviously need to be in her own house and run. Where are you? I agree with Plum, integrating her with newbies within a week could be a bit stressfull if she is not 100% Sorry for your loss too......it is not easy loosing one of your girls (((hugs))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 Unfortunately I don't know of any other chicken owners near me. We can't leave a radio on as the garden backs onto an alley - this would be too tempting to burglers. I did think about putting a mirror in the run. The neighbour who will be checking on her food and water will be able to pop in every now and then to talk to her, but I'm worried she will get really lonely being on her own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 At last, we've had some good news. A friend of a friend or a friend........ keeps chickens, only lives a few miles away and has agreed to look after Liberty for us while we are on holiday. She has a nice big garden and Liberty's Eglu and little run will be where she can see lots of other chooks. I think we can finally look forward to going on our long awaited holiday, then look forward to our trip up to Merrydale Poultry when we return Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
