Lorax Posted September 27, 2010 Share Posted September 27, 2010 We got our chooks last Thursday. I can't work out if the Columbine is alright or not; if she is 'just shy', not as outgoing as the others, just likes being in bed or is ill! Earlier we didn't think she had been out of the house all day, so we coaxed her out and then I'm afraid I shut the door as I really felt she needed to drink and eat. Within a few minutes she seemed fine - walking around, eating grass (doesn't seem to have gone for the pellets yet though), and drinking lots. Even when she seems fine however she is still a bit hunched compared to the others. Her neck is retracted into her body far more than the others. Her eyes seem bright. I can't tell if she's got a runny nose or not and not sure if her poo is runny or not either (hard to tell if it's hers or not but there was a fresh poo under the Cube whilst she was there that seemed runnier and didn't seem to have the white top to it). Her feathers also seem a bit more ruffled than the others and two of them seem to stick out. But not sure if that was sustained when the poultry farmer caught her to sell to us. The other thing is, she seems to be wiping her nose on the grass... Any thoughts? I spoke to the breeder we got her off and he said to bring her in for an antibiotic jab (this was before she came out of the house and was eating and drinking though), but it's a two hour round trip and aside from not being able to easily do this with work and children, I am worried that the travelling will mak her more stressed. Thoughts most welcome.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 27, 2010 Share Posted September 27, 2010 She sounds as though she's not well and I would either follow your breeders advice or get her checked at the vet. The stress of a move can upset them but it also brings out latent illness. Hope she picks up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Can you separate her to monitor her poos etc, I had a Columbine that never thrived and drank alot, the vet seemed to think she had a liver or Kidney problem she was only 25wks old though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted September 28, 2010 Author Share Posted September 28, 2010 Well someone in the flock is doing very strange red/orange poos. But she seems much better today and is out a lot more. I'm going to monitor it. We just can't take her back to the breeders at the moment (it's a two hour round trip) and the vet wants £90 to look at her (is that right??) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 £90 Just to look at her. My vet charges £10 for a chicken then meds on top, look at the recommended vets in the Chicken Clinic section to find one near you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorax Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 Just to update. The Columbine got better but then got worse. She'd been doing this thing of stretching her neck out and looking like she was trying to cluck - opening her mouth. We realised she must have chronic respiratory infection and the vet confirmed this. He gave her an AB jab and steroids to help her breathing. She's got meds. It was touch and go last night. We were so happy to see her this morning! We've isolated her in a part of the garden, and she seems sad but okay. I gave her some mash made of pellets and water. She's eating well but I noticed she was shivering a bit. The thing is: we can't leave her where she is. It's not safe if we're not here to close the door (she's in the playhouse...). We're going away this weekend. Shall we put her back in the Cube and if so when? Tonight to get her back with the others or tomorrow morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
