Sarahsausage Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 My poor Hilda didn't look well when I got home this evening. She was all fluffed up and looked like she's got a softie stuck, she was very red and hot underneath and there was a small amount of blood coming from her vent. She was also quite swollen which I presume is a stuck egg. I oiled her vent a bit to see if that will help but that's all I could do this evening. Going to the vets tomorrow morning. I'm not holding out much hope for her though as blood from her vent is surely serious. Oh my poor Hilda, she's such a lovely friendly hen, I'm very worried about her. If I do lose her at least she's had 3 months of freedom and love, I was hoping she would enjoy some nice warm sun on her this summer too. Bless her heart All my girls seem to be laying softies at the moment, I don't know what's going on, I give them extra calcium etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Hi sarah, so sorry to hear about poor Hilda. Fingers crossed for her. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted March 25, 2010 Author Share Posted March 25, 2010 Thanks Allison and Hazel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 I would bring her in and place her on a comfortably warm hot water bottle covered with an old towel. The heat may relax her and help her to pass the egg. If it is a whopper, she may have a small internal tear, which would exlpain the blood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted March 26, 2010 Author Share Posted March 26, 2010 Off to the vets shortly, poor Hilda is dying, I wish I was brave enough to dispatch her myself but I can't. Bless her heart, she tries to perk up at the sound of my voice. At least she's had some freedom and isn't dying in a battery farm. I love her very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Sorry to hear it. Maybe the vet will be able to do something, if she has an infection for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted March 26, 2010 Author Share Posted March 26, 2010 Had Hilda put to sleep this morning, poor little love, she didn't even want to open her eyes, didn't want to put her through lots of treatment. Bless her soul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Poor Hilda, sounded like she was very unwell I wonder if it might be an idea to stop your supplements for a short while and see what happens. Too much calcium can perhaps be as bad as too little? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted March 26, 2010 Author Share Posted March 26, 2010 I give them supplements every other day but will definitely try maybe a week without? as they are all laying softies at the mo, thanks for the advice as I didn't think to try that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 The fact that they are all doing it is interesting. What exactly are you giving them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 So sorry to hear about Hlda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted March 26, 2010 Author Share Posted March 26, 2010 Limestone Flour and Net Tex Mineral Powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 It doesn't sound excessive, I don't know what you are giving them pellet or mash wise. I would be tempted to just have grit available and greens to peck at. Otherwise cut out all s"Ooops, word censored!"s and treats and stay off the supplements for a week or 2. It doesn't seem to have been helping so you shouldn't have anything to loose. Do they free range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Sarah, so sorry to hear this sad news. You did your very best for her but nevertheless it's still hard for you to lose one. RIP Hilda. A&Hxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted March 27, 2010 Author Share Posted March 27, 2010 Thank you for all your kind messages, they really do help Clucky Mama - I'm going to leave off the supplements and maybe just give them once a week just for a boost. I feed them co"Ooops, word censored!" layers mash and they have grit available. I let them free range for 2-3 hours a day. Hopefully they will pick up laying harder eggs soon. I feel terrible now, it sounds like it's my fault for 'overdosing' them on supplements! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Sarah, please don't feel awful, we don't even know if taking them off the supplements will do anything at all yet. I have not got ex batts but there is a mix especially for them which I assume contains elements that are specifically of help to them following such an intense laying life. What do you think of giving them a try on that if you haven't already. - please Sarah, don't blame yourself for anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted March 27, 2010 Author Share Posted March 27, 2010 Thanks Rachel, I'll have a look at that but in the meantime I'll see what withdrawal does. I got the mineral powder as it has probotics in and Hilda was prown to sour crop on occasions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Sarah, please don't blame yourself. I feed all of mine (2 posh birds bought as POL and 2 ex-barnies) on BHWT ex-batt pellets and the barnies STILL lay softies, both broken and intact (like a stress ball which makes them REALLY fed up, poor loves). I've had them all on/off supplements, with/without cod liver oil... nothing seems to help the barnies and yet the posh birds are fine. I've put it down to old age and them being worn-out working girls... bless'em. ((HUGS)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 I've only just caught up with this, I'm so sorry to hear about poor Hilda . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted April 1, 2010 Author Share Posted April 1, 2010 Thanks ANH and Tutti Frutti, seems Gladys and Betty have stopped laying altogether now! Gwen is still laying softies though, I'm just relieved that they're passing through! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikey Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 I've just caught up with this too!! I think what the others have said in that they are just worn out poor things. My ex-batts were the same and eventually stopped laying no matter what I did. RIP Hilda...she knew she was loved by you and that you enabled her to know a life out of that horrible battery farm xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
