Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[Troy]

Hi all

Christian, Claret, Egluntine this might be one for you guys 'cos Im at a loss as to whats ailing our wonderful girl, Phyllis.

Shes an Isa brown/Warren coming into her 3rd year. She was our big egg layer, often double yolkers and sometimes triple. I've had her since she was 9 weeks old and has ALWAYS been our favourite gal, but 3 months ago she went into her first proper moult and went 'off' things a little, as they do. During the moult she had a couple of shell less eggs but managed to overcome them with a check from the vet and some Baytril as a precausion. Ever since then she has never been the same. Quiet, walks slowly rather than runs, eats but not like before etc. On some days I've been worried enough that I've brought her in to snooze on the cool kitchen floor and to make sure she has eaten. Then about 3 weeks ago she looked really unhappy and wasnt all that interested in food or what her friends were doing. She drank loads of water ( I know its been hot but she appears to be really thirsty all the time) then as she bent down to drink more, it all came up. I've checked for sour crop, impacted crop, I even go as far as 'poo picking' the garden every day! ( Useful habit from keeping horses) Shes not laying BUT she is now pooing small lime green blobs (bile?)with what I can only describe as a creamy, yellow almost curd cheese like substance. Its quite runny and at first I thought it was an egg , but shes not straining and I dont think shes laying anyway. Finally, a couple of days ago I was cleaning out the Cube and found poo with coagulated blood in it and some drops on the run floor where it had leaked out of the back of the tray. Same again this morning. And its definately where Phyllis sleeps.

Shes eating corn, worms, treats but not much mash.

 

I've spoken to Everyone I can think of, but my vet is none the wiser and only have Baytril for EVERYTHING!

I'm suspecting she has something internally wrong with her and for as long as I know shes eating I will keep her comfortable, but can anyone shed some light on what this might be? Have I missed something?

We are lice/mites free and all the other girls are very well. They were double dosed Flubenveted in May and I have started a single dose again.

SOOOOOOOOOOOO what on earth is wrong with my little Phyllis?? Any suggestions please??!!

troy

[Egluntyne]

Sounds as if something is massively amiss with her laying tackle. Could be an infection.

 

As she has had Baytril with little effect, it might be worth asking the vet to give her Tylan instead.

 

Re the green poo - has she been wormed?

[Troy]

Hi Egluntyne

Double dosed Flubenvet in May and yesterday, started single dose (all of them) Flubenvet is'nt affective against tapeworm but she wouldnt be showing these symptoms if that was the problem, but maybe I should use Panacur next worming time ?

My vet is only Baytril and not really much good for poultry.

 

I'm baffled

troy

[Egluntyne]

How about trying a different vet?

[The Dogmother]

I'd also send a dropping sample off to Retfords for analysis.

 

3 is a good age for a hybrid, she's done well.

[Troy]

Hi Claret

Please tell me more about Retfords...

Do I send a sample off or is it done thru the vets.

 

A different vet would be great for the girls, but there isnt a poultry specialised one anywhere around here, which is really daft considering we are surrounded by neighbours with chickens and geese....

[The Dogmother]

You need to send them a poo sample, give them a ring and they will advise you.

 

I'd recommend that you call around the vets in your area and see if there's one which specialises in poultry

[Chucky Mama]

I very much doubt it will be worm related. Is there any abdominal swelling?

[Troy]

Nope. Everything else about her appears normal. No lumps, bumps, swelling or otherwise.

 

However, I feel like I'm finally making some progress. I have just spoken to Retfords and a sample is going off to them tomorrow. The lady there said it sounded like a digestive issue and the blood was from shedding from her gut lining.

Baytril hasnt worked, so whatever is causing it - could be fungal, bacterial who knows, hopefully we can identify and get it treated. Its something that doesnt seem to be a 'get it and die' thing if you know what I mean, but it wont go away either and she cant put up with it indefinitely.

Phyll is putting up quite a fight really and what with all those double and triple yolkers in the past I feel like I owe her.

 

I'll keep you posted and thank you for your help. It is forever 'on tap' and always helpful!

yours inspector troy

[Chucky Mama]

I would wonder about her kidneys. Good luck Troy, keep us posted

[Troy]

You're absolutely right about that. It is definitly something I have considered andsuspected. Maybe it is. All I can then do is make sure she is comfortable until such time that we have to address it

I'm glad you thought that to in a funny way.

She is our top hen very gentle but stands for no nonsense with the girls. However, I've noticed that her best friend has stepped in for her and boy its like Chicken Hell has broken loose. Shes a mean creature that rules with an iron fist! I need Phyllis

troy

[The Dogmother]

I'd be interested to hear what Retfords have to say, Troy.

[Troy]

I shall endeavour to keep in touch

X

[Troy]

Hi all

I've just spoken to Retfords regarding whatever is ailing our lovely Phyll. On one hand I am relieved of their findings, but cant believe how very sad I am about it too.

 

They gave me the results over the phone then said they wanted to speak with me about them. It appears that all their finding came up negative with no evidence of any bacterial, fungal, viral OR parasitical invasion, as she put it. Everything came back negative.

 

So, after a deep breath, I tell myself that this is a good thing as it means the other girls are not at any risk of being infected or need to be culled for any horrendous reason and that the area they free range in is fine and that our regular worming programme is working well. The vet asked about swellings or any lesions, but as I've mentioned before there is nothing obvious that we can see.

It looks like its an internal thing and its very sad to see our funniest, friendliest hen so 'off' these days. But despite all this, shes still here.. though she sleeps more and goes to bed first, is slow and quiet and her comb is sometimes blue and always pale..... she still comes for a treat, albeit last, is still interested in things around her and might tell one of the others off if they get under her feet.

Soo, every late afternoon this last week I have brought her up to the kitchen (which she loves)to ensure shes eaten a wet mash with corn, grapes, grit and poultry spice. Yesterday in fact she ate loads then nosed in my cupboards for a while....

We will keep on going I guess until she says, enough.

[The Dogmother]

I think you're doing the right thing Troy, let her take her time and you'll know when the time is right.

 

She sounds a really sweet hen.