Patricia W Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Phillip didn't crow this morning, and when I let them out, sat in the door of the cube all hunched up. He eventually sort of fell out and just stood there. He wasn't interested in the mealworms I tried to tempt him with. I've got him inside in a dog carrier with food and water. How long should I leave him before resorting to the vet? Anything else I could do? I'm wondering if he got a chill the other day ( and there I was saying " don't worry, they drip dry!". ) All the girls seem fine. Although his " two" keep looking for him. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 If you are going to do the vet thing, the key seems to be sooner rather than later. Apparently chickens are prey birds and so don't show they are ill until they are really ill. You could try syringing some sugar solution down him and see if he picks up a bit. I nursed one round this way but he might just need a course of antibiotics in which case the sooner the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 Thanks, I'll give it a try. Luckily, we have a new vet literally at the end of our road, that seems to be chicken savvy - and not expensive! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 cool, I would go, you are not gping to wait to see if it is a softee on the way are! I would guess he is pretty sick if he is just sitting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Sorry to hear this Tricia. Have you listened to his back for breathy/gurgly sounds? Checked for lice/mites on him? Checked his coop if he's still away from the ladies? Could it be age? Are his feet OK - ie no cuts? I would take him to your vet, moping is never a good sign and this will be a good chance to try them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 There's nothing obvious - and he's not moved since I bought him in over an hour ago. Just off to find this new vet's number..... Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Poor boy, my fingers are crossed for you both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 Well, we've been. Super new vets, husband and wife, and the husband used to keep chickens. By the time, I got there, Phillip couldn't stand. He thinks its a respiratory infection, but hasn't ruled out something underlying. He's had 2 injections, one anti-inflammatory and one anti-biotic. We have to go back tomorrow - or if he's very definitely perked up, I'm to pop down for a course of antibiotics. It cost £31 - which I thought wasn't bad! And it's 5 mins away. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 At least you've done what you can - fingers crossed for him. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Get well soon Phillip,...hope it's nothing serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Good news on getting him treated so fast, lets hope he progresses. Whatever happens it sounds like you've scored a winner on the vet front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 nothing to beat a good vet! all fingers crossed here. you def did the right thing, at the right time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Will keep my fingers crossed for Philip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 Thanks. He's not looking good. Just standing or sitting in the carrier. He's not eating or drinking. The vet thought he might perk up when the antibiotics kicked in, but no sign yet. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Poor boy - I do feel for you. Do you have a syringe? If not, I'd get one asap to get some liquid into him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Tricia, when I had poorly exbatts the only thing that worked was to make up a small amount of very, very sloppy pellet porridge and to stick their beak into it. I used to use a teaspoon and stick it under them and onto their beak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 how is the lad today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share Posted October 10, 2009 Well, we got a syringe and got a very small amount of liquid down last night. At 7 this morning, he was lying down. At 8.30 - he crowed! And he's not stopped since. He's taken over the downstairs loo and I'm keeping him there till I'm sure he's on the mend properly. And thanks for the tip about pellet porridge- I'm just off to make some! I'm picking up a course of antibiotics this morning - so fingers crossed. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Fingers crossed I cant help but laugh at the idea of a chook in a cloakroom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share Posted October 10, 2009 That isn't quite my OH's reaction.... more one of bemused resignation... Hearing a cockerel crow from your loo is quite something! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share Posted October 10, 2009 Phillip is on a weeks worth of Baytril and now back outside in the eglu which had the two big babies of 22 weeks in. We've been trying to introduce them into the trio, but have been having problems with Phillip's acceptance of them. So his illness is an opportunity to get the four together and hopefully by the time, Phillip joins them in a week, he'll have forgotten how many wives he had in the first place. ( My OH says he thinks this is impossible - how can you forget any number of wives - even one!). There was a tender reunion with the two " wives". Lots of crooning through the bars and lots of pacing up and down from Phillip. Amazing recovery seeing as he couldn't stand yesterday!. He's eating normally now as well. All four ladies are now free ranging happily, so hopefully, sharing a bed tonight won't be too traumatic! Must go and clean out the downstairs loo...... Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Fingers crossed I cant help but laugh at the idea of a chook in a cloakroom I see nothing unusual at all in that. In fact my thought would be "only one?" So glad to hear he's on the mend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 very glad to hear this good news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 Phillip continues to progress, although he is mightily displeased at being in the eglu alone without his girls. Sweetly, Teddie who is number one wife, is spending a lot of time standing at the side of the run, keeping him company. The four girls slept together for the first time last night and all seemed well, except the 2 newbies couldn't find their way out of the cube this morning. They dithered on the ladder for ages! They are now free ranging away from the other two, but I think they are all getting more comfortable with each other. They are soaking wet though as they wouldn't shelter - so I think I'll bring them in tonight and get the hair dryer out. I don't want to be back at the vets with another one! Thank you all for being insistent that I take Phillip to the vet sooner rather than later. I'm sure I would have dithered for much longer without that advice and he probably wouldn't be here today. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Well, I REALLY don't believe this. After appearing the picture of health yesterday, Phillip appears to have had a relapse. Same symptons as last time - no early morning crow, standing lethargically, won't come out the cube. So, he's inside in the dog carrier in the house and I've mixed up some Baytril. But at the moment he isn't eating or drinking. Meanwhile. Plop is no better. She hasn't come out of the eglu and is in there shaking. So I think they are both back at the vet tonight. What is happening to my flock? This all started when I bought the six new ones. They are quarantined in their own eglu, but of course can talk to the others through the bars. Or is it a bizarre coincidence? Or is it the fact that a new, very accessible vet moved to the end of the road and they thought they'd try him out! Any advice most welcome! Tricia PS I was advised not to worm them while they were on Baytril but I've Flubenveted them all starting from today - except Phillip of course - and maybe worms are the trouble? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
