BenAndNaomi Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 We are novice chicken keepers who have had 4 ex batts since May 2009. We have an ex batt who is ill. She stands on her own adopting the sick hen stance. She only eats and drinks a little and is being bullied more than normal by our other three ex batts. She is bottom of the pecking order anyway. She had sour crop a just over month ago but she got better and developed a full set of feathers for the first time. Then last week she began to look ill and be off food. A chicken keeper has said she may be waiting to lay a soft egg but it has been a week now and there has been no sign of a soft egg or her trying to lay. In the last three days she has developed a sour crop again. Her symptoms do not seem to fit any one thing and we are worried that she has lost a lot of weight. Her vent is clean and her comb is red however her abdonem feels hard on the left hand side. Could she be egg bound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Have your hens been wormed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenAndNaomi Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 It was Verm ex time last weekend but I don't think she would have got any and wouldn't eat any warm mash porridge with verm ex in. Her vent is clean as a whistle the same as her eglu mates. Do you think it could be worms? Can verm ex be administered orally with water in a syringe safely as I can't think of any other way until she starts to eat normally? Interestingly she perked up this evening before bed time. We took her outside the hen enclosure and gave her a mix of sweetcorn and tuna which she gobbled down with relish. She then ran off looking for worms in the earth that I had been digging. However she perked up last night but was miserable again first thing. My wife thinks it could be psychological from bullying, does this sound plausable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 If she has been free ranging and eating earthworms, it is possible that she has picked up worms. I recommend Flubenvet for worming. It is licensed for use on poultry and there is no egg withdrawal. Bullying could be part of the problem. Is she being prevented from eating by the others? If so, you could try putting several food and drink stations out so that she can sneak a bite when the others are not looking. It might be worth removing the worst bully and keeping her separate for a while, then they can regroup and might accept her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 I normally worm them with Flubenvet in the food, however is she is being denied food by others I think you could use the grape method just this once to make sure she is getting wormed. I have 6 ex bats that I got May 09 and they are the love of my life (how sad am I) Hope all goes well Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenAndNaomi Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 Thank you for all your suggestions, We finally found a vet who actually knew about Poultry and took her yesterday, unfortunately she was diagnosed with a tumor and was put to sleep last night she's going to be very much missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 So sorry, it really is heartbreaking, you very quickly fall in love with them hugs Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 I'm so sorry. I know how upsetting it is. It sounds like she had a lovely retirement with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 So sorry to hear about your loss of Millie At least she experienced lots of love and care in her time with you. Ex-batts really do find a very special place in our hearts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
