3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[Derwenna]

Hi,

 

My Ruddy's poorly and I need some advice. A couple of weeks ago my OH successfully treated her for a troublesome crop (thank you for all the great advice on the Forum). She seemed to be rallying well, we keep a close eye on her crop so to speak, but over the last couple of days has become sneezy and her breathing sounds a bit "bubbly" for want of a better word. She also mopes in the corner regularly with tail at half mast. Today she didn't seem very interested in food which is completely out of character.

 

I thought I heard the odd sniffle from Black and Dapple this evening but it could be me being over-sensitive as these are my first chooks and we've only had them for about 6 weeks.

 

Any advice gratefully accepted.

 

Many thanks in advance,

 

Derwenna.

[art12345]

it sounds like she may need some antibiotics from the vet. bubbly sounds are not great but very treatable with the right treatment. Hope she is feelng better soon.

[chick wiggle]

How long has she been sneezing? If its only just started you could try putting some citrcidal or lifeguard in their water, that could help. If its been going on a while or your really worried, especiallly as you say she sounds wheezy, she may need some Baytril from the vets. I've just had to get some for my girls as their snuffles just wouldnt shift.

[Derwenna]

She's had noisy breathing for a couple of days. I'd been keeping a close eye on her following the crop issues as we hadn't realised how much weight she'd lost under all those gorgeous auburn feathers. She started sneezing first and several days after the crop treatment so I don't think she inhaled anything.

 

I was going to wait till Ruddy's perked up a bit before worming them all with Flubevnet - is it right to wait?

 

You do feel a bit of an idiot saying "Bless you!" to a chicken

[chick wiggle]

Dont worry about it, I say bless you all the time

It does sound like you need to take her to the vets, tell the vets you have others with the same symptons so he will give you extra Baytril. It doesnt cost the earth either.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

[Egluntyne]

Rattly breathing suggests that they might have a chest ailment that requires treatment by a vet.

 

I would hold off with the Flubenvet till after they have been seen as it isn't a good idea to bombard them with meds.

[Daphne]

Agree 100% with Egluntyne - get her to the vets for some antibiotics, feed her up as well as you can, although she may not be interested whilst on meds, then once she is over the illness and a good weight, then I'd worm her assuming its due.

 

Every day I routinely say night night to my girls and thank them for laying an egg so you're not alone!

[Derwenna]

Thanks everybody.

 

Vet has confirmed a chest infection, probably due to a sniffle. She was about to prescribe Baytril but it's contraindicated for chicken and turkeys so rang another practice that often deals with birds to see if it could be prescribed off-licence. All the vets there are consulting and won't be available till 6 when (typically) I'm busy and can't get to the phone. She'll call me later this evening and I'll pick something up either tomorrow or Monday.

 

When the vet weighed Ruddy she weighed in at 1.2kg (chicken not vet).

 

I've put her back with her flock-mates as I think it'd be more stressful for her to be kept apart.

 

The other two were free ranging today and no signs of a cold so I'll get some citricidal and dose their water.

 

What a palaver! She's a young chicken so hopefully she'll shake it off. She's my favourite too.

[chelsea]

Baytril is good stuff and hopefully should clear it all up.