Chicken boarders

[staceychristie]

Lucy (ex Batt we've had for 9mths) is not with it. She's going to sleep standing up around the garden under bushes etc. She keeps her neck shriveled up- like she's very cold (but she's not) Usually she loves dried mealworms, but doesn't seem interested. Other 4 girls aren't picking on her, and she's moving around with them.

Crop doesn't seem too pronounced, but can feel grain in there.

Tried to give a bit of olive oil, but this has made no difference.

Poo is very small, but doesn't appear to have anything stuck around her vent.

No nasal discharge, or sneezing.

She sat on my lap for a few mins, before then wandering off.

 

Any ideas please?

 

Thanks

Stacey

[Christian]

Maybe a soft shelled egg on the way? I would bring her indoors and leave her somewhere warm and quiet. Often the warmth relaxes them enough to lay the egg.

[chelsea]

I agree with Christian, how long has she been like this?

 

"softies" can make them hunched up and uninterested in anything for 24 hours and as soon as the egg is laid they are back to normal again. Just keep an eye on her.

[staceychristie]

Thanks to both of you. Tried to bring her in last night, and she was having non of it. Had eggs stuck before on previous girls, but then they tended to have droopy wings too. , but Lucy is usually clockwork. I'll get her in tonight. As they are all starting to come back into lay after the (bloomin' long ) moult.

Keep you posted,

Stacey

[Egluntyne]

Is she due for worming?

[staceychristie]

Probably due for worming. looked into notes, and last wormed with VermX liquid for three days, last one being 30 sept09. Guess that while she's indoors I could do her first. Didn't think of worms as been a problem - good thinking though.

 

Thanks

 

Stacey

[staceychristie]

Just a quick update. Got her in this evening, and she drank lots of water. She's had plenty of access to this during the day, but took about 15 to 20 drinks. Had a little poo Small and black dot of tar like consistancy with a cream not white dot on it. There was no sign of worms/eggs in the tiny sample.

However, she has seemed more interested in things, and started to 'giraffe' her neck again which is what she used to do to look over bushes etc.

Will let you all know what happens, and thanks again.

Stacey

[staceychristie]

She's still mopping around, and not very excited about anything. Can't feel her crop (only a few seeds) Off to vets tomorrow. Tried to give her maggots, and she gobbled those down in seconds, and still drinking lots of water (If I put it right by beck).

Poo still weird yellow, but looks like egg white consistancy.

 

Thanks

 

Stacey

[sandyhas3chucks]

just a couple of things, glad you are off to the vet tom. best thing.

1. just cos you DON'T see worms does NOT mean they are not any.

This whole worming thing is a real can of worms, (not being funny) Vermix is a preventative not a wormer, as in worm killer. Flubenvet is the precription drug that is widely used and works.

2.Drinking lots CAN be a sign of high temperature, as they try to cool themnselves down.

good luck at rthe vets

[staceychristie]

Quick update, Went to vet (recommended from forum here) and he said Lucy has an intestinal infection - no worms - phew....

Two jabs, one today and one tomorrow. Doing her good - poos have improved.

She'll only drink when she sees water pouring (from a cold jug into a bowl)

Keep you posted.

 

Thanks

 

Stacey X

[sandyhas3chucks]

oh brilliant news

It's funny this running water thing when they are off colour?

Sometimes they will only drink frpm the puddle it makes too.

I wonder why this is

fingers crossed for a rapid recovery

[staceychristie]

Update time again.

2nd injection given yesterday, and she didn't look able to stay awake. She got a little better during the day. Comb started to fill out again. She would take water dripping off a wet lettuce leaf I'd just dunked.

She 'laid' 3 weird things though. One like a kidney bean, and two size of peas and were soft (but didn't pop them). Both looked like eggs (???????) but the poo has been the same black slug type looking since treatment started.

Vet said if injection didn't work, could only hope for the best 50/50. He also gave me some for oral intake today (for her-not me)

She seems more attentive today, but so she still sees the girls outside, I've had her on my lap, so she doesn't walk in poo or spread her infection to the rest. She then didn't want to be in the box any longer, and started to nibble lettuce and I've also given her corn on cob as she loves to 'attack' it.

I know what you mean about the water. One will stick her head under the kettle whilst I fill up a little plastc tray, the others just wait as you said to drink off the floor. Girls girls.....

Keep you posted. Thanks for your help.

Stacey

 

X

[staceychristie]

Well, she's still lurking around with the others at a safe distance. But I'm bringing her in in the evenings, as some have had a go at pecking her - nothing savage, just reestablishing themselves.

BUT She did pass something, and now another girls dropped the same, but not sure what it is. Going to start new post called

 

"Dropped Organs?"

 

Thanks

 

Stacey

[staceychristie]

Lucy seems to be getting a bit better after alot of BayTril (Thanks Mr Vet) BUT she passed something a bit weird.

 

It looked like A Kidney bean, and two peas. Was fleshy (Ugghhhh) and we called the vet, but he didn't get back to me (I did say it wasn't urgent, just curious)

 

WELL, Just found Exactly the same in the Nest Box!!!! Now ,I know this wasn't from Lucy the poorly hen, as she'd been no where near the run today.

 

WHAT IS IT? All the other girls are eating and drinking ok, The poo is no indicator as some are runny and then go solid later in the day.

 

Just spoke to vets receptionist, and she said he thought she'd had 3 mini eggs. Looked horrible though.

 

Can I Post pictures on this forum of the 3 nasty bits? Thanks

 

Stacey

[Redwing]

yes post some pics they could be lashes, a lash is a rubbery textured thing - a clear out of the egg laying system, uncommon but perfectly normal

[staceychristie]

 

Looks horrible. Top ones are from Lucy a few days ago (thats why they've shrunk)

 

Thanks,

Stacey

[staceychristie]

Just to let you all know that our vet has signed Lucy back onto digging duties in the garden. She's now a bit better, and fighting her way up the peck order again. Thanks for all your advice

 

Stacey XX

[Chucky Mama]

Fantastic news

[Egluntyne]

Just to let you all know that our vet has signed Lucy back onto digging duties in the garden.

I love it. great news.

[chelsea]

Thanks for the update, that really is fab news.