Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Mrs Brown]

I have a sick chicken!! She's a warren and is about 3 years old (she hasn't laid in a long while but we keep her and look after her as she's one of the family now!!)

 

She is very sick today and I suspect has been hiding it for a while. She is completely listless and sleeps all the time. Her bottom is dirty although she hasn't pooped in a while because she refuses to eat, and hasn't drank much today either. Her Comb is a dark read colour and her head is lop-sided. She's lice free and was wormed just last week and I see no evidence of the dreaded red spider mite!!

 

She went to the vets today and he gave her an antibiotic shot and some more to put into her water (but she refused to drink now!!!) The jab was this morning and she hasn't picked up at all!!?? She's currently indoors near the radiator.

 

Has she given up??

Is this old for a warren??

 

HELP!!!

[chelsea]

Oh dear, she doesn't sound good poor poppet.

 

You've done the right thing by taking her to the vet and bringing her indoors. Chickens hide illness very well so she could have been going down hill for sometime without you noticing (not your fault ) and unfortunately she may be deteriorating. You might want to give her a light bottom wash if she isn't too stressed at being handled just to "freshen her up". The dark comb could indicate a heart/breathing problem.

 

If she looks like she is going downhill further I would maybe consider another trip to the vet.

 

Hope she perks up for you.

[Patricia W]

Could you syringe the antibiotic into her? And do the same with water and some sloppy food?

 

I'm with Chelsea and would be back to the vet if she doesn't improve

 

Tricia

[Mrs Brown]

I have been syringe feeding her food, water and her medicine since Thursday. She's still alive but only just hanging on in there. She's not responding to very much at all - she'll open her eyes if I try to move her or feed her but otherwise just lays and sleeps! I think I completely stress her out when I feed her.

 

I'm wondering if perhaps I'm prolonging the inevitable. Crikey, it's a fine line between helping and interferring with nature!!!

 

Arrr!!!

[Chook n Boo Mum]

How is she today mrsbrown?

 

I know what you mean about "interfering"...............I lost Buffie yesterday and Hazel is looking very pale & listless today.......not the best side of being a chook mum.........

 

Sha x

[Mrs Brown]

Today is the first day she has actually eaten anything herself. I have to direct her head but she has eaten some pellets and has had a drink on her own. She still looks awful (her head is in a very strange position and the water runs out the side of her mouth) nut she's a tiny bit more alert

 

I really think she's had a stroke!!! Lop-sided head and no balance!!! I don't know if this is even possible in chooks !!

 

Now I'm in a muddle. . . do I carry on helping her or . . . well or not!!!!???

 

Thanks for your concern

[Chook n Boo Mum]

We are always concerned & hate to hear of chooks who are poorly & their "mums/dads" who try so hard to help them....

 

If she is eating for herself, try & get something very high in energy into her, if she'll eat a porridge type of food, I was advised to give Buffie a mix of cake crumbs, honey & egg yolk which would all be high in protein & energy..obviously not a great diet in the long term but if she's poorly she'll benefit. I made it so sloppy I could syringe it into her to start with, then she took it herself. Fresh or tinned sweetcorn is another high energy food & quite moist so might help with her fluid intake, as would grapes and cucumber. Live mealworms or maggots would give her little protein boosts too & tend to appeal to the carnivore-side of the chook's brain! Keep an eye on the maggots though, they escape very quickly..........

 

To be honest I have no idea whether a chook can have a stroke, though it's not outside the realms of possibility given what complex little creatures they are.

 

Hazel has been knocking back chick corn today, crushed version of the mixed corn they all love, had a dose of Nutri-Drops and a syringe of water (I wore the second syringefull & gave up!!), she's wandered across the garden a few times with her feathery sisters and is now back indoors asleep in the cat basket. She is so very pale, even the children have noticed...........we'll see what the morning brings.........

 

Good luck & {{hugs}} to you,

 

Sha x

[chelsea]

Sorry to hear she hasn't quite recovered yet.

 

The willingness to drink is a better sign as is the appetite returning, I would be slightly concerned that she is not attempting herself though maybe this is because she is weak poor thing. The head thing does sound a bit odd.

 

Can you ring the vet and just discuss her progress with them?....