Groovychook Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 (edited) Blanche has been limping for about a week- I've had a good feel & there's no difference in temperature or swelling & she grips my finger with her foot so I was thinking it was likely to be a sprain. I was looking through FAQ's at the weekend and read how a calcium deficiency can lead to limping & that limestone flour can help. This got me thinking as Blanche used to lay the odd softee so I used to add it to their feed every day. I ran out a while ago and an order I'd placed through ebay took an age to arrive. During this time, Blanche hadn't laid any softee's so I though that maybe the limestone flour was unnecessary and stopped using it. I'm now wondering if this has caused her current problems so have started adding a heaped teaspoon to their afternoon porridge every evening. I also found a softee laid by her in the poo tray yesterday so it all seems to add up... I know it will take a while for the limestone flour to have an effect but does anyone know how long I should leave it before I see any improvement in her? Sorry for the rambling post! Edited October 9, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Others have limping chickens so I'll bump this up for you Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 Thanks Tricia Blanche's limp doesn't seem to be getting any better but I'm not sure how long the limestone flour will take to make a difference. She's been eating and drinking as normal but spent a fair bit of time today laying in the run in the dustbath. I gave her a bath this afternoon because I thought she might find it soothing. She seemed to enjoy it- still happy for me to massage her leg and still gripping my finger with her foot. I did notice that she seemed quite swollen below her vent and I'm wondering if she's trying to lay another softee. She managed to lay normally yesterday though... I'm going to help her up the ladder to bed again tonight and hopefully there'll be an improvement tomorrow... Am I doing the right thing by letting her rest it & giving her limestone flour? Any suggestions would be much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted August 30, 2009 Author Share Posted August 30, 2009 She's still limping I've just read that chard & spinach leaves contain oxalic acid which stops calcium from being absorbed. I've been giving the girls a few slug nibbled leaves now & then over the past couple of weeks, so that obviously hasn't helped matters. I think also that Elsie has a thing about mounting Blanche on a regular basis and it must be irritating her leg problems every time she gets squashed down. I try to intervene when it happens but thinking I might need to separate Elsie away from her during the day to break the habit... easier said than done! I've ordered some zocal d too, because I'm still worried that she's still not getting enough calcium. Does anyone know if I add it to the communal glug or should she be having her own supply? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Sorry to hear about Blanche . When Penny hurt her foot, it only took a couple of days before she was right as rain . I used Zolcal D a while back on the older girls but to cure the softies so they all got it in their water. If you don't have softie problems any more I'd be inclined to try to give it just to her (one bottle doesn't last very long either if you're giving it to them all). You could add it to a little treat just for her - anything that would absorb it, I suppose. Do you give them cod liver oil with the limestone flour? That's supposed to help with absorbtion of calcium. I sprinkle the flour onto the afternoon corn mixed in with a little oil. Did you try arnica pillules? I'm not sure if they're just for bruising or not - maybe try a forum search for it? Don't know about the swollen vent . If she's laying OK she can't be eggbound so I suppose just keep an eye on it. I hope something works - it's awful when something's wrong with them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted August 30, 2009 Author Share Posted August 30, 2009 Do you give them cod liver oil with the limestone flour? That's supposed to help with absorbtion of calcium. I sprinkle the flour onto the afternoon corn mixed in with a little oil. . Thanks ANH, that's a brilliant idea! I'll go and get some cod liver oil tomorrow! They'll do anything for corn so I'm really hopeful that it will work! Did you try arnica pillules? I'm not sure if they're just for bruising or not - maybe try a forum search for it? Yes! I got some on Friday and have been giving her one a day, disguised in half a grape... Don't know about the swollen vent . If she's laying OK she can't be eggbound so I suppose just keep an eye on it. We'll she's not laying as regularly as she was and there have been a few softies so I think it's still a problem for her The swelling doesn't seem as bad at the moment though... I'm just hoping that a combination of all these remedies will sort her out, fingers crossed. It's such a worry... Thanks so much for your advice, much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 6, 2009 Author Share Posted September 6, 2009 Well, Blanche is still in the wars... I thought we were getting somewhere as her limp had improved... it's still there but much less noticeable than it was. I've carried on with the limestone flour and since the zocal d arrived, I've been adding that to corn. She hasn't laid for days- hadn't worried about that as I thought that she was having a rest. She's been very hunched and been spending a lot of time in the run but has been coming out regularly to free range with the other girls. A couple of days ago, I noticed whilst cleaning out the poo trays, some yolky poo with no sign of a shell. I kept an eye on her and have seen her having watery poos with a sort of cooked egg yolk fragments in them. I decided to give her another bath yesterday and massaged her abdomen. She feels as though she's lost quite a bit of weight. After that, I donned a latex glove, lubricated with some sunflower oil and whilst OH held her, gingerly examined inside her vent to see if I could find any bits of stray shell. The only thing I came across was a small amount of 'cooked yolk' fragments. Once she'd been dried, I sat her on my knee, wrapped up in a towel, on top of a warm hot water bottle which she seemed to enjoy. I kept her inside last night- managed to get a large dog crate on ebay yesterday, so have put a cat carrier and bedding down with water dosed with zocal d, some pellets and some porridge to try and tempt her. My main problem is trying to get her to eat. She's had a few pellets and a taste of porridge but all the old favourites like grapes and strawberries are not prompting any interest. She is preening & inquisitive though and her eyes look bright but her comb is quite floppy. Is there any food that any of you can suggest that might tempt her? Not sure what to do now... think I will have to take her to the vets tomorrow if she hasn't improved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 Oh dear . It sounds like you're doing all you possibly can for her. I agree, I'd be inclined to get her to a vet tomorrow. Keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted September 6, 2009 Share Posted September 6, 2009 Not sure what happened here as this post seems to have finished a week or so ago - hope your girl's feeling better? When mine was poorly, the only thign I could get her to eat was cucumber - she went mad for it. It might be worth a try. Also - to try and clear the girls out if they have an egg stuck, try liquid paraffin - it worked on my girl a treat and 5 months later she's right as rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 7, 2009 Author Share Posted September 7, 2009 When mine was poorly, the only thign I could get her to eat was cucumber - she went mad for it. It might be worth a try. Also - to try and clear the girls out if they have an egg stuck, try liquid paraffin - it worked on my girl a treat and 5 months later she's right as rain. Thanks so much for your reply... I've just tried her with a bit of cucumber after your suggestion and she's happily pecking away at it! She's had a strawberry this morning too. Yesterday, she had a few pellets- wouldn't touch pellet porridge but devoured a small bit of apple cake! I'm sure that cake isn't a great idea for chickens but I was so pleased to see her eating something. I might try & get hold of some liquid paraffin and see if that has any effect before taking her to the vets. My vet is lovely & great with my cats but when I told her I was getting chickens and asked if she'd be able to treat them if necessary, she said that she'd be able to put them to sleep and that's about it. I'm sure she wouldn't be as callous as that if I took Blanche along, but it doesn't inspire confidence... I can't feel any swelling when I feel her abdomen but she's still doing very small amounts of yolk coloured poo. I'm sure the liquid paraffin will be worth a try- just hope I can get hold of some! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Yes it can be tricky to find - I managed to get some from an independant chemists in the end - Boots and Superdrug don't sell it and looked at me as if I was mental when I said it was for a chicken... I tried everything with mine, hot baths (which she hated!), steaming, lubrication etc etc. It went on and on for about 3 weeks and I was at the end of my tether - the vet had a feel and confirmed she had an egg stuck but couldn't do much about it and just offered to put her to sleep or an operation for about £200 which could well kill her anyway. Then I phoned the ex batt careline (they're so helpful) and they suggested that if I couldn't get it out from one end, I should try the other! So the next day I got a syringe full of liquid parafin down her and the following morning there was one hell of a mess in the nesting box but she was clear! She has been ok since other than a little touch of peritonitis from time to time. And she still lays eggs. I did also have antibiotics (baytril) from the vets and lots of calcium supplement which I believe also helped keep her strength up. I also put her on metacam (from my cat) with may have helped any swelling building up. Keep feeding her cucumber if she likes it - mine was doing almost half a cucumber a day! And at least it has lots of water so she doesn't dehydrate. She seemed to particularly like green foods at the time - though avoid spinach as I hear it doesn't help with calcium absorbtion. I'd say as long as she's eating something, it has to do some good so apple cake is great! Try some weetabix mashed with a little water and yoghurt - that's easy for them to eat when they're poorly. Keep an eye on her crop when she does begin eating - they can get a bit backed up when they're egg bound - give her a little bit of live yoghurt to keep any nasties at bay in her crop. Good luck with it - let me know how you both get on. My thoughts are with you at the really frustrating time! Bx p.s. the cooked yolk thing is called a 'lash' - horrible isn't it?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 7, 2009 Author Share Posted September 7, 2009 Thanks Biker Betty! I've taken your advice, firstly by trying Blanche with some cucumber, which she loved! She's probably eaten about 3" but that's all today... I went into town & thankfully, my local Boots had some liquid paraffin. I rang the vets to see about getting her some Baytril but they said that I'd have to take her in and have her examined. When I got her there, the vet couldn't feel a whole egg but thinks that there might just be bits inside her. She had a feel inside her vent and some water & yolky 'poo' came out again but no shell. Anyway, she gave her an injection of Marbocyl which she said is very similar to Baytril and I've got another 4 loaded injections to give to her over the next 4 days. She very kindly administered the liquid paraffin too. I'm so pleased- I wasn't sure she'd be so helpful... only charged me £19 too! She's hoping that we'll be able to keep peritonitis at bay, but did say that if she doesn't improve, that there's not much more she can do. Hopefully she'll start to show some signs of recovery. Blanche has been sitting very still inside the pet carrier in the cage since we've been home. I think I'll leave her be for a bit and try and tempt her with some food later. Keep your fingers crossed for her and thanks once again for your suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Wow - it sounds like your vet was really helpful - I wish mine was like that - last time I went, I gave them a little lesson on chickens and got charged £25 for the priviledge! + prescription of course. I'm so pleased you've been able to get something sorted for her - I'm sure with the antibiotics and the lashings of TLC she's getting from you, she'll be right as rain in no time. And sterile egg peritonitis is nothing to worry too much about to be honest - I've heard of chickens living for 3 years with it! Two of mine have had it all summer with no ill effects. It's nice to feel like you've done something to help isn't it? Its so frustrating when you don't know what to do! One thing I have noticed about my chickens over time is that they always seem at death's door when you realise that there's something wrong with them - the number of times I've posted on here saying things like 'I don't think she's going to make it another hour...' only to find that not only have they lasted the night but they are completely fine the next day!! So don't give up on her yet - I didn't, despite almost having her PTS on the vet's advice - and she's been fine since April. They are remarkably resilient at times. I will still keep my fingers crossed for her - just keep her nice and snuggly and keep offering her that cucumber! Keep me posted won't you? Bx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 Well, Blanche is still residing in the kitchen... She'll be having her 4th injection today- we've only got one more after that. It's hard to say if she's improving or not as one minute she's happily scratching around in the bedding and the next, she's hunkered down in the pet carrier. The liquid paraffin shifted a little more 'eggy' poo but I'm thinking that it didn't get rid of everything She's still doing small amounts of 'eggy' poo's but given that she's hardly eating anything still, I suppose it's not surprising. I thought she was picking up yesterday as she was pecking away at her pellets. She didn't eat loads but the ones that she did had been dosed with zocal. She had some melon too & a bit of cucumber. She's not drinking much though, so it's hard getting the zocal dosed water into her. She won't touch anything porridgy, so yoghurt is out of the question. Would it do any harm to give her more liquid paraffin? I also wondered if it would do her good to spend a bit of supervised free ranging time with the other girls in the sunshine or should I keep her isolated inside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 Oh dear, I've just been gently feeling inside her vent, and along with some poo, there was a small amount of the yolky stuff and a bit of blood Only a small amount, but worrying all the same & I'm presuming it's not a good sign. We gave her injection and I thought I'd take her outside to get a change of scene. She's now happily free ranging in the flower beds- did a normal-ish poo with a tiny bit of blood in it and promptly dug up a worm & ate it! She started purring too, so I didn't have the heart to bring her back in... she's catching bugs & exploring in the sunshine. Still can't get her to eat anything else though I'm not sure what to think about the blood- I'm I right to be letting her do chickeny things outside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I'd say if she's happiest there with the others then let her be - mine did get to a point where she was fed up with me fussing over her and took herself off with the others whether I liked it or not. The bit of blood might just be where she's been straining a bit too much. I wouldn't give her any more parrafin yet just in case. It sounds like most of the stuff has already come out. Let her be normal chickeny for a bit and just keep a close eye on her. Do you know, for all the warnings I've had about chickens being mean to each other when one's ill, mine seem to rally around a bit and keep an eye on each other if they're not well. It's very sweet. Mine did actually start to get a bit better once she was up and about. I kept her indoors of a night time until I was content that she was much better and then let her out with the others during the day - this is where she seemed happiest. I'd say its a great sign that she is up and about though - a testament to your care and affection for her. She is lucky to have such a lovely, caring chicken-mum! Hope Blanche feels better soon - let me know how she gets on. Bx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 Thank you so much B, I keep getting into such a panic about her- terrified that I'm missing something... She's had a lovely afternoon- don't think she's eaten much apart from the odd worm but I think the grit that she must've picked up will help at least. I just had a job to get her back in- she legged it at full pelt across the garden! She's safely tucked up in the kitchen now... Hoping for another sunny day tomorrow so she can go off adventuring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 Well, Blanche is still hanging out with the other girls and for the past three nights, has slept in the cube with them too. She took herself to bed on Saturday night and I thought it was mean to lift her out and bring her back indoors so left her too it. I've been shutting the door at night to keep the heat in and so far so good... She's been eating much better since she's been back outside, still not eating massive amounts but I think it's encouraged her to see the other girls tucking in. Her limp has completely disappeared and she's been happily scratching in the dirt & dust bathing. She still looks hunched & miserable now & then though. I'm just still worried that she's still doing poo's with egg yolk in them. Her antibiotic jabs finished on Friday. I'm thinking that I might just let her carry on as she is and stop fretting too much about her. Really hope I'm not being neglectful though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Well I'm really glad to hear that Blanche is doing much better. I think it sounds like she's on the mend. My girl's recovery was slow but progressive - and for a few months afterwards, she still had the odd down day. But it did improve over time and she really is back to normal now. I think after a while, you just have to let them be normal chickens and hang out with their friends etc - they really are happiest like that. I'm sure that it'll help her recovery too - the sooner she gets back to being a normal chicken again, the better really. The fact that she was determined to sleep in her usual spot is encouraging. I have a poorly girl at the moment too - it's sterile peritonitis. Unfortunately there's not a lot I can do about it but wait to see if she recovers a bit. I had a good chat with a lady at the BHWT yesterday though and she gave me some tips on what to feed her etc - so I can but try that and hope for the best. Well keep me posted with Blanche and let me know when she's back to normal again - which I feel confident she will be soon! Thank you for the update though, Blanche has been in my thoughts too! Take care Bx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 15, 2009 Author Share Posted September 15, 2009 Thanks B, Sorry to hear about your girl, hope that the diet makes a difference and that she's feeling better soon... I'll keep my fingers crossed for her What on earth did we worry about before we got chickens?! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Just thought I'd give a Blanche update... She's still living in the cube with the other girls and her appetite is much better than it was- mashed potato, weetabix and bokashi with a dash of bio yoghurt and zocal d is going down a treat! Unfortunately, all the girls are tucking in too as she only wants to eat what they're eating She's still doing poo's with 'yolk' in them but because she's eating more, there are a few more normal looking ones in amongst them. She's generally much happier- no limp, rooting about and dustbathing- her wattles and comb have turned from bright red to a pale pink though. I'm hoping that this is just a sign that her egg production has slowed down... Her comb is still flopping over a bit but not as much as it was. All in all, I'm feeling fairly hopeful that she's on the mend... fingers crossed! B, hope your girl's doing okay xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 That sounds positive . I'm really pleased to hear she's doing well . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Thanks ANH! I was convinced I was going to lose her at one point... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker Betty Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Really pleased to hear Blanche's progress - sounds like she's definitely on the mend - and it's not a bad thing that she's stopped laying for a little while - give her a rest. I don't think I'd worry about the pink comb. My girl's still hanging in there - I am having an internal battle every day to know if I'm doing the right thing by keeping her alive - she's got bad peritonitis. But she is still eating and drinking ok - and trying to join in where possible but she is finding it difficult to get around easily. I think I will hang in there for a few more days yet - and just see if she improves. If not, I will ave to take her to the vets where I know that there will only be one outcome. Fingers crossed though eh? Anyway - thank you for the Blanche update. Take care Bx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Sorry to hear that B , I'm sure you're doing everything you can, really hope she picks up... Thinking of you, xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
