Omlet cube and run

[ezzie]

Hi everyone … I hope someone can help me.

 

Due to credit crunch our business crashed and we lost everything and currently live in a caravan behind a pub while we try to get back on track … reason for telling you this is that we simply can’t afford vet fees.

 

The landlord of the pub has some chickens as an attraction and for their eggs … as no one else looks after them properly we do our best.

 

About 6 months ago we found one of them soaking wet and shivering and she didn’t appear to be able to move. We wrapped her up and kept her warm not thinking she would make it through the night. She did make it through although she couldn’t walk. We once had a bird that had been hit by a vehicle and it seemed to be drunk … we thought that maybe this chicken had been through the same.

 

We’ve looked after her for months and she has gradually improved. The landlord won’t take her to the vet or pay for anyone else to. For a long time her legs were very white and cold and the red thing on her head was very faded. As the weather has got warmer we have had her outside in the sunshine and she is improving no end.

 

Her legs became very swollen but gradually now the swelling has gone down and her red thing has gone red again. She is also walking although is a bit cross legged sometimes.

 

All of the swelling has gone down on her legs and they are now a normal colour BUT she has a back toe that is 5 times the size it should be.

 

We washed her foot really well today and it looks like she has got some sort of infection in that toe. It looked like it could be bumblefoot. We put salt in hot water and tried to pick at it but it doesn’t seem to be coming out that easily. We have put some antibacterial spray on a bandage for now and put her to bed.

 

Sorry for this really long post for the simple question … is there anything we can use like a bread and milk poultice or something to try and draw it? I really hate to see an animal in pain but we really can’t afford vets bills.

 

We would be really grateful for any advice ... Thanks everyone

 

One other thing … she seems to be wanting to get under the shed quite a lot

[Chucky Mama]

Has her foot been normal since you had her? Is it possible that she had a broken toe when you found her? If so it may have healed leaving a hard bony lump or callus. If a bone heals without being 'set' - or put into a good straight, natural position and supported, it will heal itself often leaving an abnormally lumpy callus. If this is the case, there is not a lot that you can do. Sometimes they get a little smaller with time but they can stay like this and restrict normal movement. It could of course also be any number of other things, difficult to say without seeing the swelling and a proper examination. As a by the way, if these chickens are not yours and they need veterinary attention it is the responsibility of the owner and they should be footing the bill if they need treatment.

[ezzie]

The landlord of the pub has some chickens as an attraction and for their eggs … as no one else looks after them properly we do our best.The landlord won’t take her to the vet or pay for anyone else to.

 

Hi and thanks for your reply please see above from my original post though ^^^^^^^^. No her toe hasn't always been swollen. Should I try to photograph it tomorrow and post it on here?

[lillybettybabs]

Hi,

Well done for helping the girl ,maybe a photo will help us identify the problem.

[ezzie]

Hi,

Well done for helping the girl ,maybe a photo will help us identify the problem.

 

OK ... will do that tomorrow

[ezzie]

Sorry Images now removed for privacy reasons !!!!!!

 

I couldn't work out how to post the images on here so I've set them up on a hidden page on our website above. Hope this works ... and thanks for looking.

 

She's sat on the grass right now and falling asleep quite happily but when she's in with the others she's constantly trying to hide under the shed.

Edited June 7, 2010 by Guest

[Plum]

Well done she looks so well apart from the foot.

 

I really don't know what to say it could be chronic infection but I think Chucky Mama is right about the break from the angle and history of swelling. Could you take her to PDSA or similar for an opinion or is there a farm around you with a poultry breeder who could advise.

[ezzie]

Well done she looks so well apart from the foot.

 

I really don't know what to say it could be chronic infection but I think Chucky Mama is right about the break from the angle and history of swelling. Could you take her to PDSA or similar for an opinion or is there a farm around you with a poultry breeder who could advise.

 

Hi ... I don't know of a poultry breeder but we are surrounded by farmers who go in the pub, many of whom keep chickens ... all they do is laugh it off or say wring its neck

[Egluntyne]

Well done for trying to look after her, but I'll be honest, the 'owner' would be looking at a prosecution for allowing an animal to remain in that state without seeking treatment.

 

The purple makes it look rather alarming, but that aside, there is considerable deformity.

 

She must be in some pain, and the fact that she is trying to hide suggests that she is unhappy. I agree, try the PDSA, or even the RSPCA for some advice.

[ezzie]

Hi Egluntine ... Believe me if we weren't dependant upon him for a workshop and somewhere to stay I would have wrung HIS neck ... I have been nigh on hysterical all afternoon as he also ignoring the fact that children are grabbing at them as though they are toys.

 

Hubby has been and had a word with him and he says he's not taking a chicken to the vet ... Hubby has now volunteered us to do it but on the condition that it costs no more than £30-£40 ........GGGGGggggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs

 

So knowing the costs involved of vets fees, it seems that WE have to make the descision as to whether to put HIS animal to sleep

 

I cannot begin to tell you you how angry and upset I am over this ... my life is bad enough right now without this on top!!!

 

And I'm upset about it because I refused to have anything to do with the chickens at first because I didn't want to become attached to them. The problem is that I've cared for this one so much, even if she just hears my voice she drags her head out from under the shed and squats for me

[ezzie]

I'd just like to add that my posts may have come across quite matter of fact and heartless ... believe me I'm anything but. When we had a house I would take in just about any sick or injured animal around and care for them. Unfortunately I'm also a right mardi and have been known to cry for a week when one has died!!!!

 

As well as our dog, we have a lovebird and a rosella living in the 2 berth caravan with us as I couldn't find them a home when we lost the house. We have to let them have a fly round in the evenings which is pretty chaotic and I can't even cook until they've gone to bed for the night. Sometimes we have to go out on the road looking for new outlets and the birds travel with us in the cab of the van ... it's a nightmare!!!!!

 

Our life is anything but stable right now and a lot of the time I feel as though I'm losing the plot anyway ... that's why I didn't want to take care of the pubs animals ... not because I don't love them ... and that's why I'm so upset about ezzie

[sandyhas3chucks]

oh my how sad for you, bless her, I agree that the rspca might help, or the pdsa.

Isn't the lump where her "thumb" should be?????

[ezzie]

oh my how sad for you, bless her, I agree that the rspca might help, or the pdsa.

Isn't the lump where her "thumb" should be?????

 

Yes ... sorry ... I called it her back toe. It IS her thumb ... it's just so swollen and horrible it doesn't look like one

[sandyhas3chucks]

for tonight if she is still up I would put sodocrem on it. Or aloe vera or a tea tree cream

[ezzie]

for tonight if she is still up I would put sodocrem on it. Or aloe vera or a tea tree cream

 

Now I'm really fed up ... I went in 3 pharmacies yesterday as I'd heard you could mix iodine with sugar and use it to draw. Not only didn't they have it, they all told me I shouldn't use anything on a chicken that wasn't prescribed by a vet

 

... Hubby is just going in the pub now to see if anyone has got anything. I think they'll all be in bed now (the ezzies) but if he can't get anything from the pub he'll drive down to the shops so we'll have some sudocreme for the morning if we can't get to her tonight.

 

I've been bathing her foot and putting the purple stuff on some cotton wool which I've then been tying to her foot like a little shoe. She seems to like it but the problem is that it doesn't stay on for too long during the day

[sandyhas3chucks]

I really feel she should get some antibiotics in her. Oh what about seeing if there is a rescuer near you, like Battery Hen Welfare Tru, Little hen Rescue in Norfolk, some keep back the poorlies and might take a look for you? what part of the country are you from?

[ezzie]

Anglesey ... North Wales.

 

I've had run ins with the RSPCA up here in the past and I don't know whether it's because it's mainly farming over here or what ... but they don't seem to take things too seriously.

 

I once had to threaten them with the papers to get them to come and look at a lamb that had been lying in the snow for a couple of days in a farmers front garden ... we had thought it was dead but when I thought I saw it move we stopped and had a proper look. It was still alive but couldn't move ... they asked could it not wait until the morning as we were an hour and a half away and then asked could I not go and speak to the farmer myself

 

They did come out in the end but I'm sure they also let the farmer know who'd reported them

 

Hubby's just gone for the sudocrem now and we'll take her to the vet tomorrow. I won't let them put her to sleep though unless it's the absolute last resport.

 

Just got back ... all they had is savlon ... will that be OK?

[Plum]

It'll do the same as sudocrem and soften the scab so any pus can escape.

[ezzie]

They're all in bed and she's in her usual spot right at the back so we couldn't get to her. We'll put that on in the morning and get her to the vets tomorrow too ... I'll post tomorrow and let you all know how we got on.

 

Are there any rescue places on Anglesey or near by does anyone know? ... If she survives then my biggest worry is that the season is fast approaching and there will be children everywhere wanting to play with them. I think she would be better with someone who can give her TLC and I'd hate for something to happen to her when we're on the road which can sometimes be for weeks

[lillybettybabs]

it looks like an ingrowing nail to me

[ezzie]

Hi everyone and an update on Ezzie. We went down to the vets today but they couldn’t fit us in so they sent us over their other branch but with a delay of 3 hours on an appointment.

 

Then I suddenly remembered an attraction over the other side of the Island where a Geology Professor and his wife also have lots of free roaming chickens and they are potty about them.

 

Ezzie hopped out of the box and proceeded to cluck and waddle over to them to see what they had offer. They were quite taken with her and said she was in lovely condition and appeared totally happy and healthy.

 

I have to admit that she seems to love her shoe and has now even learnt how to run in it

 

They then told me several stories which made me think twice about taking Ezzie to the vet, especially as our budget was only £40!

 

They sent me off with a shopping list and much of what was on it correlated with various things I’d googled last night plus what you guys had also said.

 

Epsom Salts .. for soaking/cleaning

Tea Tree Oil to blend with Sudocrem to hopefully soften and draw it

In case above doesn’t work, Iodine and white sugar to make a drawing poltice (they mentioned this and I'd already seen it here) http://www.thepoultrysite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9512 They also mentioned hydrogen peroxide but I think I'd use that as a last resort!!

Lint

More cotton wool pads to to take the pressure off

Horse Vet Wrap to make neater shoes that stay on better

NetTex Fast Acting Poultry Nutri Drops to boost her immune system

 

So tonight we bathed her toe again and I gently massaged it while it was in the bowl of water … she sat down and fell asleep

 

I put tons of the sudocrem and tea tree blend on and gave her a new shoe. She then had a good rummage around and even scratched her head a couple of times with her poorly foot

 

We’re going to see how she gets on over the next few days before deciding whether she still needs a vet

 

These lovely people have also offered to look after her while we’re working away too

 

I hope we're doing the right thing and would welcome any more comments/advice ~x~

[Plum]

An inspired visit. You must feel so much better and how great that they will look after her when you are away

[sandyhas3chucks]

sounds brilliant.

good luck.

[ezzie]

Todays Update ....

 

She was dozing underneath the caravan when we got back from the shops ... most of the others had also escaped and decided to join her ... the others all came running out when they heard us but she stayed put ... in a bid to get the rest of the rabble back into their enclosure while we sorted Ezzie, hubby walked towards the compound with a couple of slices bread ...

 

 

the funniest thing we ever did see happened next ...

 

... Ezzie shot out from under the caravan and ran as fast as her little shoe would carry her to get her fair share ...

 

Their main diet is layers pellets which we give them with a mixed grit ... they also free range. The landlord sometimes throws them chips or boiled/roast potatoes and we give them bread (sometimes with butter).

 

I read on here somewhere about giving them weetabix so I gave ezzie one tonight but I just mixed it with water as I wasn't sure about milk

 

Is there anything we should or definately should never give them as treats? ... I'm personally not sure about the bread but they love it!!!!

 

Just found this thread so thought I'd put link in here for the benefit of anyone else that follows this thread:

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=62451&p=927737&hilit=treats#p927737

[lillybettybabs]

Whit maggots and meal worms are my girls fav, Babs has been on them for a week to help her throught her illness.

I read somewhere that they are mainly protein (which is good for thin chickens) i get mine from the local fishing

shop.

I am going to have a go with clicker training the girls with these as they will do ANYTHING for them.