The Dogmother Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 This'll make you laugh..... This evening I took one of my (non-avian) animals to the vet. I should explain that my vet is one of the country's leading avian experts, and doesn't mince his words He'd just seen a lady with two of her ex-batts; they (the hens that is) had swollen abdomens not full of fluid though, wet vents, and had gone from being her best layers to hardly producing any eggs at all. He was explaining to her that all that laying had just knackered them, and that the swollen tums were likely due to either liver or kidney problems due to all the stress on their systems, and that apart from stopping them laying by inducing broodiness, there wasn't a busting lot that could be done. Despite his recommendations against it, she insisted that he ran £200 worth of blood tests to try and find out what the problem is. It'll be knackered hen syndrome, that's what it is Made of money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cakeadoodledo Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Crazy! She must be either very rich or very foolish (probably both!!!)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 While it's not something I'd do (not that I could afford to), I can understand her predicament. To some they'll just be egg laying pets, but to others they're obviously much loved family members. Each to their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 If there was something that could be done then i would do it, But if they are worn out and will prob get worse then i don't think it's fair on the chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 6, 2010 Author Share Posted August 6, 2010 It's usually just a case of symptom management TBH. That and try to stop them laying by inducing broodiness or withdrawing water for 12 hours. I'd also suggest moving them from a layers feed onto growers so they're not induced to release ova so frequently. It's something that you see a lot in ex-batts and high-yield hybrids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 It's usually just a case of symptom management TBH. That and try to stop them laying by inducing broodiness or withdrawing water for 12 hours. I'd also suggest moving them from a layers feed onto growers so they're not induced to release ova so frequently. It's something that you see a lot in ex-batts and high-yield hybrids. I'd never heard the term knackered hen syndrome before. Good to read your advice on it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 6, 2010 Author Share Posted August 6, 2010 It's my vet's term rather than an official one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 It's my vet's term rather than an official one. It's very fitting though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 not one Ive heard before but very fitting. Have heard similar terms about people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 Knackered Hen Syndrome But that makes me want to ask, if he's a leading authority on all stuff avian, does it mean he wouldn't recommend the superlorin implant? I thought it was like HRT therapy for chooks and stopped them producing eggs? I don't know enough about superlorin or HRT so can't honestly say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 6, 2010 Author Share Posted August 6, 2010 I can imagine what his answer would be.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I know how the poor dears fee! I think i have a touch of Knackered hen syndrome today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I can understand her predicament. To some they'll just be egg laying pets, but to others they're obviously much loved family members. Each to their own. Agree with Jools' thoughts. Just looking at there you are based Claret, is your vet in Kenilworth by any chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 6, 2010 Author Share Posted August 6, 2010 No he's not; I wouldn't trek all the way over there to see a vet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 No he's not; I wouldn't trek all the way over there to see a vet From your description, I wondered if he was a vet that we used to see with our girls, but he isn't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 It didn't make me laugh it made me sad there are many other top Avian vets that are successfully using the Superloin implant which actually is NOT a hormone... it prevents the release of Gonadotrophins by the Piturity gland, which is situated in the brain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonadotropin) it is implanted in the breast muscle & is a slow release lasting anything from 6 weeks to two years, some vets use anesthesia, others a sniff of gas. It is still very much in it's infancy in laying hens & each new hen implanted is writing the history books for others to follow. It is routinely used to chemically castrate dogs & prevent ovulation in ferrets & exotic birds. When people take on ex bats they are taking on a "knackered hen" at the onset, hence "spent hens" many go on for a long and happy 2 year retirement, some not so long and others longer still. Many caring vets are treating ex bat hens well, and only today I heard of one that has had fluidy abdomen for nigh on a year now, and is still enjoying her retirement. And mine definately fall into the family per category and get treated as any non Avian species would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
