Feeder doors keep closing when I walk away

[Tutti Frutti]

I went to check them all this morning and Ursula (my smallest rescued ex-barn girl) was standing still in the sunshine. The others were scrabbling about as usual, fussing over this that and the other...

 

Ursula's been quiet before (as a softie approached) but today, she's different. She's sleepy, slow, head sunk, tail down, slightly dirty bum (which I cleaned), yellowy splats in the poo tray which I assume are hers, dark and dry comb... but worst of all - refusing to eat or drink - not even mealworms

 

I know it's not good but my question is - do you think her time has come (she's only laid half a dozen eggs at most in the last 3 months and most of those were thin or softies) or can a vet give her a miracle cure? I think in my heart of heart that I know she's had a fantastic, fun 8 months with me and she's just a tired old lady

 

She was last wormed with Flubenvet 2 or 3 weeks ago and they all had a course of Tylan as one of them had a cough and gunky eye. Checked again this morning for lice and mites - nothing. And her feathers are just on the final spurt and beginning to flourish!

 

Oh I spotted her having a go at my ivy a few nights ago... but I'm sure that's not a new thing!

 

I hope last night wasn't her last free range

 

What would you do? Hated leaving her this morning but had to come to work - will go home at lunchtime and update.

 

I'll take her to the vets if you think it will help but it's a bit of a drive to our nearest chicken expert and it could be an ordeal for her... and they might just say, "her time has come"...

 

Thank you, one very upset TF

 

PS DH meeting me at home at lunchtime just in case... he's the level headed one, I just get too emotional!

Edited July 18, 2010 by Guest

[cathybc]

sorry to hear about Ursula, so hard to know what to do for the best, just go with your instincts when you see how she is at lunch. Thinking of you x

[Tutti Frutti]

Thank you Cathy

 

Vets booked 4:50 - hope Ursula hangs on

 

I can't just stand by and watch her die - just in case there was something that a good vet could do! I'd never forgive myself Going to do all we can - if anything, to make her comfortable, even if it means (gulp) PTS

[Jools]

Good luck, you're doing the right thing by not leaving her to suffer, whatever the outcome.

[jellykelly]

Good luck at the vets later.

[Tutti Frutti]

She was awake at lunchtime, whispered to me (better than nothing at all but not her chatty self) but still refusing to eat Bright yellow squirty poo so I've got a sample for the vet... fingers crossed she's still with us when I get home and then manages the journey. Will let you know later Stuck egg maybe???

[migsy]

Good luck.

[Tutti Frutti]

still here, got home and she was drinking

 

Will update when I get back from the vets. Will ask about a superlorin implant (thank you Tara).

 

Thank you for all the Omlet vibes

[Tutti Frutti]

She's still with us - the vet diagnosed sour crop I thought it would either be the "in" end or the "out" end. Out end was good so turned her around to check her crop and watery fluid dribbled out of her beak. So nothing fibrous now - no greens, pasta, GRAPES OR RAISINS Just plain pellets, corn and water. Vet said ex-working girls lived on grains and their digestive systems can't cope with much else.

 

She's had some meds (Flagyl) and has to have it twice a day. The vet said we'll either see a quick improvement (as quickly as her deterioration) or... if she's not right by Monday, we need to do the kindest thing :(

 

So please can you send Ursula your Omlet vibes?

 

I felt so inadequate but feel better now as it's down to Ursula - and she's a plucky little lady! She's dozing now but has eaten a tiny bit of corn

[Snoxy]

Praying your gorgeous Ursula will come through

[Tutti Frutti]

She's just toddled around to get some mealworms - until the others barged her out of the way. But at least she's showing an interest!

 

btw, I asked the vet about emptying the crop and she said it's definitely NOT a good idea, as the fluid can go down the wrong hole...

[migsy]

Hope she picks up! Come on Ursula! x

[Tutti Frutti]

She put herself to bed in the cube fine (via a stool instead of the ladder) and is now settled down for the night

[migsy]

Glad she is safely tucked up. x

[Chucky Mama]

btw, I asked the vet about emptying the crop and she said it's definitely NOT a good idea, as the fluid can go down the wrong hole...

 

Improvement is much quicker if it is emptied but you do have to be extremely careful as they can inhale it if you are not careful, It should be done is stages letting it out in small amounts and giving them chance to recover in between. Don't risk it if you are not sure.

[cathybc]

lots of positive thoughts coming Ursula's way x

[Chicken Mad]

btw, I asked the vet about emptying the crop and she said it's definitely NOT a good idea, as the fluid can go down the wrong hole...

 

Improvement is much quicker if it is emptied but you do have to be extremely careful as they can inhale it if you are not careful, It should be done is stages letting it out in small amounts and giving them chance to recover in between. Don't risk it if you are not sure.

 

I emptied our friend's girls sour crops few weeks back as advised by Chucky Mama. The quick improvement was amazing. They started to put weight on that they lost. And one (of the two) started laying again already!

The sfuff that came out was awful and made me glad I did it. Hate to think it would have past through them.

 

No disrespect, but I think some Vets are like some GPs. Jacks of all trades, Masters of naff all! I am sure if it was a poorly dog or horse or cat the Vet will be the expert but how often do they deal with a chicken really!! And why did s/he did not empty the crop to make sure it is done properly! (You can just see me at the GP can't you! Touch wood! Just as well me and my nearest and dearest hardly ever go!)

 

Hope your girl is better soon!

[hippy chick]

I hope that Ursula is feeling better today.

[Tutti Frutti]

Thank you everyone!

 

She was up this morning, we gave her the 2nd dose of meds but then the gloop came out of her beak. She had a few nibbles of porridge at lunchtime but hardly anything. This afternoon, I rushed home from work and got her out of the run and she's now sitting next to me, perched on a log in the bottom half of a cat basket. She's having naps but, in between, she's stuffing her face from a cage cup of mealworms, pellets, bokashi bran and corn

 

She's just literally started this minute - can't believe the instant change in her! She only had her 3rd dose 5 minutes ago.

 

The vet we went to is a chicken expert and we travelled a good half hour to get to her. Having told us not to drain Ursula's crop deliberately, we couldn't help but have some of the gloop drain out through her beak several times when we picked her up - and it's clearly made her feel loads better! I think that's what's stopped her from eating before (whenever she leant forward, it would dribble out through her mouth and put her off) but she's eating now like she's starving!!!

 

She's dozing now but I'm hopeful - still with my fingers crossed though as I know she's not out of the woods yet...

 

Thanks everyone for your kind words and advice. I've never experienced this before. Live and learn, eh?

[Chucky Mama]

Excellent news that she has got rid of the gloop. You can see why it is good to get shot. The Flagyl should now work it's magic without having to fight it's way through that muck.

[Tutti Frutti]

She's up and eating today

 

I let the others out to FR at 6am and she was at the door, wanting to toddle out too I made her some porridge (crushed pellets and mealworm with warm water and a splash of poultry spice) and put it in a cat basket - and put her in it too, as the other's just won't leave her grub alone! We'll get the hospital wing out in a bit (dog basket - more room!).

 

Thanks everyone

 

Would a few maggot help her

 

**off to read stickies**

[migsy]

Glad she is improving

[Snoxy]

Eggcellent news

[Tutti Frutti]

Feeling very glum right now

 

She tries to eat but fluid drains out. We've tried draining her (short bursts, gently pushing her head down) and she perks up for a while but doesn't last

 

Just bought some maggots, live mealworms and nutri-drops. Hopefully the nutri-drops might have an effect...nearly been half an hour. Going to let it settle then try her with some more maggots/mealworms. But if her crop is blocked, is anything getting through??? Don't know if the nutri-drops need to get through to have any effect???

 

My poor poor girl, I can't let her go on like this I hope she's better tomorrow or we'll be visiting the vet again on Monday :cry:

[cathybc]

oh no, things had sounded so positive. Fingers crossed she picks up again x