Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[Chunky_Monkey]

Good news, we've found a vet who will actually see our hen, but in another town. We rang up and they said come over in half an hour! The vet saw her, examined her, noted she had a temperature, she wasn't egg bound, but there was a possibility of her having peritonitis. He's given her a large dose of antibiotics and we go back on Saturday for another dose. He did say her would show us how to inject her, but we declined!

 

She's now asleep and will stay indoors tonight.

 

Perhaps we could add this vet to the recommended list of vets?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That's good news . Hope the treatment works and she perks up again .

 

If you want to PM me the vet's details, I'll add them to the list.

[sandyhas3chucks]

yes sorry you have problems. As I said the fact that she is eating & drinking uis good, but there has to be something wrong.

see if this works

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/System/FAVSearch.asp?NodeID=89660&FAVSearchType=2&parentsiteid=89624

you have Lewis

Southwater

billigshurst

2 in Horsham

 

I am in Surrey and somone once said one in Horsham is rreally good but sorry I did not need to go that far in the end so cannot help any further than that!

But Lewis is only just over half an hour away. My "special" Vet is nearer 45 mins away.

So good luck

[sandyhas3chucks]

oops sorry... postings crossed.

Brilliant news.

Fingers crossed it will sort out what ails her!

[chunky monkeys Mum]

Just to bring this story to its final conclusion.

 

By yesterday morning, having seen the vet the night before, Ophelia had taken a turn for the worse and was in asleep a lot of the time. Suddenly, as Chunky monkey was checking on her food and water, at about 11am, she started flapping about madly, then just died in front of her - a heart attack maybe? Needless to say, poor Chunky Monkey was extremely upset, but at least O had been free since the end of May and had been able to enjoy three months as a free chicken - even in the last few days she went sunbathing when it was sunny and she felt well enough to do so.

 

Fortunately her three ex- batt friends are still fit and healthy, poor O was by far in worst condition of the four and I think her hard life in the battery just took its toll.

 

Thanks again for all of your words of advice and support.

 

Di

[Daphne]

Di/Chunky Monkey - I'm very sorry to hear your sad news. As you say she had a summer of freedom which is more than most ex-batt girls get. I'm sorry I disappeared from view so suddenly, but had my own unexpected crisis, followed by a holiday. But I'm glad you found some helpful advice on here and a vet - was it Senlac by any chance?

 

I've just watched a blue tit come down and take a blackberry from outside my window and fly off with it for a late breakfast!

[Egluntyne]

Sad news.

[chunky monkeys Mum]

Thank you both.

 

Sorry to hear that you had your own crisis Daphne, but hopefully all is resolved now and you have had a good holiday.

 

Indeed, it was Senlac vets and I was very impressed; they agreed to see us immediately, didn't charge the earth and were very sympathetic but realistic as to Ophelia's chances. Becoming sick over the bank holiday wasn't the best time for her to choose, but now we have the other girls registered at Senlac, so we won't be in such a difficult position again.

 

Sounds like you have a cheeky blue tit, coming up to your window - we have loads of blackberries around this way at the moment - the blue tits stay away if they have any sense as Ted the cat takes quite a fancy to them .

 

Di

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm so sorry to hear about Ophelia . She must have had a particularly hard life and just couldn't keep going, poor thing .

 

Hugs to Chunky Monkey. She sounds like a lovely, caring chicken keeper .

 

[chunky monkeys Mum]

Oh ANH, Chunky monkey is just ever so slightly obsessed with her chickens - I don't know any other 15 yr olds who would put all of their birthday money into buying a cheap 2nd hand Eglu, solely for the purpose of rescuing some ex-batts - I am sure that there are probably some though!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Good for her . I know a 15 year old girl (daughter of a friend) who did the same (not ex-batts though!) - makes a lovely change from wanting the latest mobile or clothes .

 

(If she's obsessed with chickens, she'll fit in here no problem .)