ejaym39 Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Hi, just wanted some advice as one of my ladies has just died in a very stressful way. I have 7 chickens, well 6 now, and have had this lady for over 2 years. Normally healthy and cheeky. She has been slow for the past two days but eating and drinking. Checked her crop yesterday which was fine and sprayed for mites. No sign of anything sinister with her bottom. She was even running around today. Tonight we went to put them to bed and she was sat in their nest area looking very poorly, leaning over. Felt crop and it felt watery so tilted her and fluid came out. Checked her bottom for egg bound and vent area leaking a little and an odd shape. Can't tell you when she last laid an egg as don't get an egg for every chicken every day. Brought her into the house and phoned the vet. Fluid trickled from her from both ends and noticed a watery swelling on the right rear side of her neck (hope i'm explaining this well). Following verts advice felt around vent for egg but couldn't feel one and suddenly the poor lady shook her head violently from side to side and died. Quite horrible to watch. I just wanted to know what it was, what I could have done and are my other ladies safe. Not a good evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Oh no I'm so sorry. I have no advice other than to say, it sounds very similar to when when my girl died and it's so distressing and horrific to witness it. The only "blessing" is that it was very quick. I don't know if you could have done anything - chooks hide any illness very well (otherwise they'd be bullied) and it's not unusual in the chicken world for it to be so sudden. You did what you could in the time and you had the presence of mind to ring your vet... Sorry but I don't know about the fluids. I'd probably ring the vet back and ask if it would be wise for them to give your other girls a quick check over - or a postmortem on your little lady to see if it's anything infectious - but as an amateur, I'd say possibly not - but possibly old age, sour crop or egg stuck or peritonitus (sp?). (((HUGS))) I know you'll need them right now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejaym39 Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share Posted July 13, 2010 Thanks - not a nice thing to see and just feel sad that she died in such an unpleasant way. I'll keep an eye on the others and give them a good clean out tomorrow and a little pampering - just in case. Lets hope that't the end of it. May have to phone the vet too to say thank you - even though it would have been £110 plus costs if I had made it too her. SHe did try and poor Maggie just decided to go while I was on the phone to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejaym39 Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share Posted July 13, 2010 Me agian, I've just check the pages and seem to think that Maggie may have had peritonitis as she had the John Wayne walk, very fluidy all over and seemed so much heavier in weight when I picked her up tonight. Could this be it, what is it and what causes it. Should I do anything with my other ladies. At least Maggie had a lovely free range life and was spoilt rotten. She'll be missed. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikey Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Sounds like it could be peritonitis......but sounds unusual both ends I am sure someone will come along with better advice. Just to say how sorry its awful when you have to watch it....but bless her at least it was sudden and she was running around till the end. Try and keep those memories in your head. lots of hugs too xxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forge Cottage Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 So sorry to hear about this. It sounds just like what happened at the end to our dear Peggy. Most distressing and you feel helpless. In fact I could not describe it to anybody, even softened it for my partner. I put it down to sour crop at the time, as she had a large squishy crop and was not passing solids, mainly water. She was always so beautiful and proud. Peggy became a dead weight too, but of course they don't get heavier, just balanced differently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 awww, so sorry for your loss. We've had chickens whose crops just stopped working when they were ill and filled up and didn't empty. The vet told us it was just their bodies shutting down due to age/illness. I don't know what was wrong with your girl though. The only way to be sure would be to get the vet to examine her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 So sorry for your loss. It wonder if she may have inhaled some of the fluid from the sour crop. She could have had peritonitis too which would have pushed her system over the edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
