Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[LittleOwl]

Well, Monday morning and Sybil is still with is, albeit very rattly. She has been sneezing, but not very often, since 7th April, and only been rattly since Saturday morning. She is active, laying well, eating and dustbathing. None of the others have shown any signs of even sneezing after all this time. I am going to try to get a vet appointment today, and I am assuming (but of course have no idea) he will give her some antibiotics in the hope it will help her. So, in order to be ready, I wondered if anyone could help me with understanding how I look after her - it's our first poorly chook

 

Will we have to keep her in isolation? And how long for? I know the eggs can't be eaten, and we have a few who lay similar eggs and aren't able to identify hers. If in isolation, what do we do? Will she need to be indoors as she is on her own? Or should we let her out with the others after she has laid each day? How much space will she need? Will she be more stressed by this? Any information and advice would be greatly appreciated. I would like to be able to be set-up for her when she gets back from the vet rather than make her wait in her little box while we sort things out. Thank you.

[Daphne]

Don't worry too much - hens aren't usually too bothered by changing rooms when they're ill. It is a good idea to isolate when they have a chest infection (can't be bothered to write respiratory each time!) as its usually transmitted via air, although it could be the rest of your flock are resistant as they've not succumbed so possibly isolation isn't essential - perhaps ask your vet for advice. If you go for it, then:

 

If you have a spare coop/run then it'd be best to put her in there. Ideally within sight of rest but remembering she has an airborne virus so not too close. I just keep them on their own till they start to perk up/stop rattling - usually at the end of the course of treatment, so no, don't let her mix otherwise you're negating the point of isolation.

 

If you don't have outdoor spare coop or if she deteriorates then bring her in, ideally in something large like a cat/dog carrier but I've used cardboard boxes before now for very ill birds. This isn't a great idea if she's still quite perky and likes to walk about; so do you have a garage/shed she could go in for exercise? Overall,its much better for her/less faff for you to find something fox proof outdoors or if its not fox proof put the temp accommodation in garage/shed whatever.

[staceychristie]

Hurray for recycling bins!!! Ours live in a blue box if they are poorly. If they do decide that they are better off wandering around, then I add a piece of wire fencing on top, weighed down with a brick. Most of the time, they are just happy to go to sleep.

We leave them in the downstairs loo, as it's warm and quiet, and has a blind to keep it dark in the morning.

Good luck.

 

Stacey

[LittleOwl]

Thank you both for your info, really appreciated!

 

Well, the vet reckoned she shouldn't be isolated from the others as they were showing no signs of having what she has, and after all this time if it was contagious he would expect it. He thought it was either a personal reaction to the bedding we were using, or that she is just a sniffly chicken. He gave her an antibiotic injection, and some Baytril. So, what we have decided is to take her from the flock when we open the door in the morning and pop her in a (admittedly small) puppy crate, containing a small cat carrier filled with bedding (now changed!) and food and water. Then leave her there until she has laid her egg (or the others have laid theirs), then let her out with the others.

 

When we picked her up this morning there was no rattling!! So fingers crossed that the treatment will work and she will be fine!!

 

After reading the replies here we have decided we will get some extra netting of some description, so that we can make a rudimentary separate little enclosure for any events in future - that way they can potter about on a little grass - I am watching Sybil now in her crate and I can see her chomping at the bit to get to some green!

[staceychristie]

That's better news, and nice to hear. If you're thinking of getting an 'isolation ward' then a larger cat/dog carrier is fine. Don't forget that it might not always be nice and sunny outside when you need to isolate the patient

 

Good luck

 

Stacey