Part 0800.0005

[hotchick]

My prize layer Shaniqua hasn't given me an egg for more a month. I thought this was just a phase, although she wasn't moulting, and expected that she'd soon return to her normal self. Last week I went to see my crop after work and she had already gone into her nest box (she's always the last to go inside) and ignored the spinach I tried to give her (she's usually a total pig). In the last two days her condition has become considerably worse and she's doing yolk-yellow poos. She's not eaten for a few days and only just barely sipped some water this morning. Her neck is non-existent, her tail feather has dropped, she looks very bloated and can't lift herself - even her head is low today - and is closing her eyes alot. Her crown is still red and there's no gunk in her eyes. There's no boogies from her nose and she is breathing deeply. I did notice that she dropped some shell less eggs before she stopped laying so not sure if that has anything to do with it.

 

Really don't want to take her to the vets as I know they'll just recommend that I put her to sleep. From what I gather, chickens aren't that high up in the vet's pecking order and as a Londoner tracking a knowledgeable one down tricky.

 

I gave her a warm bath yesterday to see if that helped but it doesn't have seem to have made a difference.

 

Please, someone out there tell me that one of your girl's suffered the same and lived to tell the tale. I've brought her inside for now.

 

Any advice appreciated.

[Egluntyne]

She sounds as if she has an infection. I would urge you to take her to a vet, as she sounds beyond home remedies tbh.

[Plum]

So sorry she's not well but you can't let a chicken suffer. It may be something that can be treated but after a few days like this I doubt if she will get better without any intervention

[hotchick]

Thank you for your advice. Sadly for Shaniqua it was too late; she died this afternoon.

RIP Shaniqua. x

[Plum]

So sorry