Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[dottychicken]

Hello,

 

Firstly apologies, this is my wife's account, but she is away for the week and I desperately need some answers.

 

We got our chickens+Eglu from Omlet last Thursday (May 20th) - 2 Gingernuts and a Pepperpot.

Up until now everything seems to have been fine, we have been getting eggs regularly, except one of the gingers (Meg) hasn't laid for a few days.

 

The problem is with the Pepperpot however (Princess), who over the last couple of days has become increasingly depressed, less enthusiastic towards her food, spending an increasing amount sitting in the laying area of the coop.

This morning when I let them out, she came out slowly, had a few pecks of food, a bit of a look around and headed straight back for the coop. She's still sat in their now, and the only way to get her out is to open the hatch.

 

What is more worrying is that she is expelling yellow droppings, which has got me worrying that she may have Histamonosis (blackhead), as the droppings look a bit like those from the picture in the FAQs.

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=29183.

 

What should I do? I should perhaps mention there is one or two other problems. Firstly, we haven't really started handling/freeranging our chickens yet, so they are still quite reluctant to being picked up (except Meg) The plan was to errect the free ranging area and start on Saturday when my wife gets back. Second, I don't have a car, or a suitable box for the chicken should I need to take it to the vets - am I able to get a vet to come here, and would that cost alot more?

 

Help Please!

 

Jack

 

p.s I should just add that even though Princess was a bit under the weather yesterday, she did still lay an egg, albeit quite late in the day.

Edited May 29, 2010 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

Extremely unlikely that she has blackhead, as it is rare in chickens, and usually only affects them if they are kept with turkeys.

 

I'd keep her on pellets and water only for a few days. Too much in the way of greens (which they haven't been used to)treats, and the stress of the move can often give them yellow squitts.

 

I don't think you need to be worrying about vets just yet, tbh. Just keep a close eye for now.

 

If you can get some bokashi bran (online) and add a handful to the pellets, that will help, as the beneficial bacteria work wonders.

 

Good luck.

[dottychicken]

Hi,

 

Thanks for your reply, I've got some bokashi bran, will give that a try.

 

Just found her again in the laying area with her head tucked in as if she were asleep.

[staceychristie]

Keep an eye on her. If you need a transport, you can always use any cardboard box, as long as you stab ventilation holes (lots of them, and BEFORE you put her in it - You're not Paul Daniels) .

If she's not drinking, then I'd pop a drip onto her beak - they tend to like that.

Keep a log of poos and eating drinking habits, as the vet may need this info.

 

Good luck.

 

Stacey

[dottychicken]

The pellets + bokashi bran went down pretty well, I also tried some pellets + live yoghurt, equally as popular.

She's been out a bit more, still noticeably less perky than the others. I'll keep an eye on her and report back later.

 

Thanks for all your advice!

 

Best Wishes,

 

Jack (aka Mr. dottychicken)

[Jools]

You're right to be worried by those symptoms tbh. The lethargy and head tucked in on their own are signs of a poorly chicken, never mind the yellow droppings. It does point to Histamonosis even though it's highly unlikely.

 

If you've only had them for about a week, maybe try contacting Omlet to find out where they came from and if they keep turkeys too. Or you could telephone your vet for some advice. Alternatively, there's always Retford Poultry Vets (no I'm not on commission!!) on 01777 703011.

 

Good luck!

[sewitall]

Ring Omlet and ask for advice. They may ask you to email Barbara and describe the symptoms. Your chickens from Omlet are under 30 days guarantee. If you decide to take your chicken to the Vet Omlet will refund £20 of the cost. Or you can ask Omlet to collect your chickens and replace them. I think it's one or other i.e. I don't think you can have them treated at the Vet and then ask Omlet to collect them but Omlet will confirm this to you. The Omlet office, not Barbara, will need to know if you are going to make a claim so they can place it on your records.

[dottychicken]

She didn't get an awful lot better by the end of the day, no more yellow poo, but still lethargic, lying down a lot and closing her eyes. She was eating and drinking still however and did strangely perk up from time to time. I'm going to see how she is in the morning.

[Chucky Mama]

She sounds like she needs to see a vet to me and I agree that as you only got her on 20th you also need to contact Omlet.

[Pikey]

Sounds a bit more postitive that she is eating and drinking more but I agree with Chucky Mama she needs to see a Vet.

[dottychicken]

*UPDATE

 

Princess Pepperpot is still clearly under the weather this morning, I've also noticed she's starting shuddering, although she doesn't seem to want to sit in the coop today. She's taking water but not much in the way of food.

 

One of the gingers (Gina) has also become somewhat lethargic, so I'm worried that whatever Princess has is now spreading.

 

I agree I need to get my chicken/s to the vet but I have a Serious problem - because the chickens are still very young and we've not had them a much time they are very reluctant to being picked up (except the one that seems fine!) Even if I could get them in a box, I don't have a car and so getting to the vets maybe tricky as it's a fair old walk.

 

Is it worth calling the vet to find out about call out fees, or are these just extortionate?

 

I need help

[dottychicken]

*2nd UPDATE

 

Right... I decided that I needed to stop worring and get out and get my hands dirty.

 

Managed to get hold of Pricess Pepperpot, and after having read a few threads on lethargic chickens decided to give her the old steamy water treatment, just in case she may be eggbound. I also felt and massaged her crop which feels a bit squishy. She seemed to enjoy the massage, and afterwards she seemed to perk up a bit, I've offered a bit of food mixed with some olive oil but she doesn't seem too interested, anything else I could do? The ginger I mentioned in the last post (Gina) has also perked up a bit.

 

She's back in the run again and she's once again resorted to standing quite still under the Eglu shade, although it is raining quite heavily outside. While out in the FR area she was eating and she is taking liquids. My wife gets back very soon so I'll ask her opinion and then maybe we'll drop into the afternoon surgery at the vets.

[Chucky Mama]

I still think that you need to see a vet. It will be horribly expensive getting a vet to call out on a Saturday and they will have a limited amount of resources available to them (what they can carry in a small bag). Typically these things happen at a weekend, and a bank holiday to boot The longer you leave it the more expensive it will be potentially. Most vets have a Saturday morning surgery, beyond that you are talking emergency call out fees. I would grab a cardboard carton from somewhere - they don't need much space for transport infact the snugger the better as they feel more secure, and pop down to the vets. You should still contact Omlet when they reopen after the Bank Holiday break (I assume they will have shut up shop now). The stress of moving home could have brought up a previously undiagnosed problem. Good luck and keep us posted.

[dottychicken]

The vet near here, Borrajo's (as recommended on this site) has an afternoon clinic between 1-5pm, so I will ring them when they open and try to get an appointment.

[Chucky Mama]

Good plan

[Egluntyne]

I agree, now that a second one seems under the weather, it is time to consult a vet.