KitG Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Bracket is a copper maran - at least 15 months old, probably nearer 2.5 years. Not a brilliant layer but a lovely hen and always the fastest to the treat handout. Yesterday she was slow to come out of the cube, had trouble coming down the ladder and really wasn't herself. She spent most of the day huddled under a bush, came out briefly to eat some tomato but clearly wasn't interested. Her comb has gone floppy and her breathing is laboured. She seems to have very runny poo - pale primrose yellow? I isolated her last night and to be honest didn't think she would be with me this morning. Breathing still laboured and doesn't seem interested in any food although I have made sure she has plenty of water and is warm and as comfy as I can make her in the old eglu with plenty of fresh straw. Ideas and advice please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Has she been wormed at all? Soft shelled egg on the way? Lots of info in the FAQs section on poultry health for you to have a read through. Maybe bring her indoors to make sure she is nice and warm, heat helps. How is her breathing? You say it is laboured, but any wheezing or rattling? If so, straight to the vets imo. If in any doubt them pop along to a vet to get her looked at? Hope she is better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitG Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 She has been wormed last month - just about to do this months. Should I still go ahead? She's still with us. Breathing isn't noisy at all and I think may be marginally better than it was. She is on her own in our original eglu with lots of straw so she is warm and sheltered. She is drinking water and has just expressed some interest in some seed. Should I go ahead and worm her anyway? Am I best off keeping her on her own? I don't want her to be lonely but if she is ill I don't want Hinge and Miley to get what she's got? She does have a tendency to soft shelled eggs. Many thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 If she has a tendency to lay softies, then she might have one on the way now. That would explain her hunched appearance and behaviour - it takes a lot out of them as they have nothing to 'push' against to expel the egg. You mentioned that you wormed them last month and were about to do it again? I am guessing you use Vermx? I rely on Flubenvet, which is the only wormer licensed for chickens and will kill the worms. Vermx is good as a preventative, but does not kill worms to the best of my knowledge. Hopefully, she will lay the softie soon (if it is that) and be better in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitG Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 Thank you Christian - I do use Flubenvet and always have. Assuming she's still with us tomorrow I can put some in her feed. Do you think I should still keep her on her own tonight? I'm particularly mindful that last night she couldn't manage the ladder up to the cube - she couldn't hop up onto the bottom rung and at least in the old eglu she doesn't have to worry about that or about Miley and Hinge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 I believe Flubenvet can be used every 6 weeks (?), but if you did it last month, it is unlikely to be worms causing the problem. I would take her to a vet to be honest - as it has been a couple of days. Keeping her somewhere warm for the night should help. I personally would bring her indoors and make her comfy. Somewhere warm (not hot) and quiet, with food and water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 I believe Flubenvet can be used every 6 weeks (?), but if you did it last month, it is unlikely to be worms causing the problem. I would take her to a vet to be honest - as it has been a couple of days. Keeping her somewhere warm for the night should help. I personally would bring her indoors and make her comfy. Somewhere warm (not hot) and quiet, with food and water. me too and hope it is a softee. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitG Posted May 17, 2010 Author Share Posted May 17, 2010 I took Bracket to the vet today. Dan diagnosed a respiratory infection and said that although he could give her antibiotics the likelihood of a successful outcome was so slim that it really wasn't kind to impose on her the stress of treatment. So we said goodbye. Thanks to those who offered helpful suggestions. Let's just hope that Miley and Hinge don't now succumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Sorry to hear that KitG Fingers crossed that the others are fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 I'm sorry to hear that Think you made the right decision, I know it's not much comfort but she had a lovely life with you and didn't suffer in the end. Carolyn x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annettec Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Sorry to hear your sad news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
