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xChicken04x

I think Gemma is going to be PTS today.

By xChicken04x, in Chickens, Eggs and Hatching

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xChicken04x Chatty Chicken

xChicken04x

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Hi all. I'm absolutely gutted as I think Gemma is going to be put to sleep today. Before Christmas, she seemed to slow down a fair bit, not foraging much, having short naps throughout the day and not laying eggs (which she hasn't since the summer).

 

I thought it could be the cold weather, or maybe a softie? I added extra hemcore to the cube and put a box in the run filled with hemcore, so she could be outside, but a bit warmer. Anyway, as the weather began to warm up again, she has stayed pretty much the same.

I decided to worm them, although I only did it a few months ago, but it was just to be on the safe side. This didn't seem to help, so I added some tonic to their water about a week later.

I've come to the conclusion that she is just getting old. Not in pain or discomfort, she just seems tired.

 

Anyway, I went to let them out this morning and Gemma stayed inside the cube, in the nesting box. I left her there with some porridge and water, she didn't eat it, which was very odd for her. I looked out of the window about half an hour ago, only to see a pile of white slumped at the bottom of the ladder :cry:. I thought she has died, so rushed out to get her out before the others took much notice :oops:. I picked her up and was about to place her in a box, when she opened her eyes and made a little noise. She was lying on her side (any experienced chicken keeper will know that chooks don't sleep on their side) and was barely moving.

I have brought her inside and keep going to check on her, every time I think she has died, but I can see her breathing. I have made an appointment with the vet, I'm pretty sure she will be put to sleep. At the moment there doesn't seem to be much hope for her, she is just so weak, she can't even get up on her feet. I made her some fresh porridge and water, but she isn't eating or drinking. I also tried her with lettuce, sweetcorn and grapes- still nothing.

 

Anyway, I've said goodbye to her as I doubt I will be putting her to bed this evening. The appointment has been made for 12:40pm, I'll be surprised if she makes it till then.

 

Any advice on what to do until then?

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Henhathnofury Frequent Layer

Henhathnofury

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Keep her warm and talk to her...just comfort really. I have a girl who is slowly going in the direction your girl is going...it is peaceful old age. Big hugs. Please come back and talk to people here; everyone is so sensitive and they really understand.

 

Take care of yourself and remember the loving home you are giving to your Gemma.

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Suzy Chicken Eggspert

Suzy

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I went through exactly what you're going through today, but yesterday. I offered mine a bit of water but then she was more upright than Gemma sounds. Talking to her and stroking her also helped me to think i was helping her....

 

If you've made the appointment then you are probably not finding that particularly useful but just wanted to say I really feel for you and know what you are going through having done it so recently.

 

it sounds like you have been a fab chicken mummy. Remember her full of life - that's the nicest thing you can do for her.....

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xChicken04x Chatty Chicken

xChicken04x

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Hi all, I'm afraid my suspicions were confirmed yesterday and in fact, Gemma was put to sleep. I can't say I'm surprised, just gutted really.

I was ready to go with her (spent the morning trying to feed her and stroking/talking to her) but, as I opened the box to load her into the car, I was absolutely convinced she had died.

I was about to take the box out, but she opened her eye and I noticed her very faint breathing. I was in two minds whether to take her back inside, or to the vet, but the vet seemed like a better idea as I had guests due soon and I knew Gemma wouldn't make it that long.

Anyway, I took her along. There was a lot of dogs in the waiting room, but weren't interested in Gemma. She was pretty much unconscious at this point anyway, plus the sight of a dog wouldn't have worried her- she is very used to Zara following her around.

The vet had a good look at her, checked her all over etc, but he couldn't see anything wrong (illness-wise) with her, he just said she is getting old and is very, very weak.

He said she was way too light and her crop was completely empty. She mustn't have been eating very well (although I have been monitoring her, and she seemed to be eating fairly Ok).

He gave me two options 1. put her to sleep now (which is what he said that if he were in my shoes he would- he's a chook keeper too) or 2. force food and water, then bring her back the next day to see if he can do anything more for her (he couldn't give her any medication without food and water in her system). But he said even with the food and medication, he would only give her a week or so to live. I would have to force feed her three times daily through that week, then if she hadn't died, she would have to go back again to have another check over. I really didn't want to do that to her, so decided to let her go to sleep. If I thought for one minute she was going to make a full recovery, then of course I would do whatever it takes. But he gave her pretty much no chance of surviving the next week or so.

 

Anyway, she went very, very peacefully. She didn't even flinch when he injected her, he gave her a massive dose for a bird her size, because it was so hard to tell the difference between her alive and dead.

 

So, that was it really. I was rather proud of myself for not sobbing my heart out whilst with the vet, but as soon as the receptionist asked me if she 'had to go to sleep' that was it :cry:.

I'm a little sad at the moment, as Gemma was well and truly top chook and now the fighting for top postion has started, Missy was Gemma's 'second in command' so I imagine she'll get it.

 

Anyway I'll stop my ramblings. Just wanted to give you all an update, thank you ever so much for your advise.

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