brightonbelle Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Hello everyone.My vet suggested I asked for advice here as he said you are all very knowledgable and helpful I have 3 hens and my Sussex Light is causing me major worries. She has had a couple of quiet days over the last 6 weeks but was fine by the next day and laying regularly. However I took her to my vet yesterday as she has been poorly for 4 days now...she hasnt eaten,and is very quiet ...she goes to bed and gets up with the other 2, I have seen her drink sometimes,and her droppings are fine...but she just wanders around aimlessly,pecks occasionally at the ground ,or stands still looking very depressed. She perked up at the vets and he suggested I let her have the run of his surgery and she was quite lively,sitting under his table on the bar like a perch and chattering away to herself,but we suspected that was adrenaline possibly. All the vet found was that her crop is a bit "spongey" but no trapped egg,comb eyes etc all normal and no breathing issues. He gave me a probiotic powder to give her,and also suggested live yogurt. The problem is she just wont take it. I have tried all her favourites and after a desultory peck or 2 she just turns away. Does anyone have any suggestions. I am worried this is her only chance and my vet admits he is no expert although did have chickens himself . She is such a poppet and I want to try my best for her ,but dont want her just wasting away either. Thank you from a worried newbie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Welcome to the forum . Nice to know that we're being recommended by vets . Sorry about your poorly girl . Does her crop feel watery, like a half filled balloon? I'm wondering if it might be sour crop? My girls looked pretty miserable when they had it. By the way, did you know you're our 9,999 member . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightonbelle Posted November 19, 2010 Author Share Posted November 19, 2010 Ooooh..typical I always miss the millions lol The vet wondered that but was worried about tipping her to get fluid out as he wasnt sure and he said it is risky. The description on here did get me wondering...Its about the size of a small egg and very soft so seems like it could be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I would wait until morning and see if it is empty then. Has she been wormed with Flubenvet or similar and have you checked the housing for red mite. Best starting with basics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightonbelle Posted November 19, 2010 Author Share Posted November 19, 2010 Not yet but ordering some flubenvet as dont have any contacts locally to get some. I cant see any mites but will give the nesting area a good clean out this weekend I think to be sure. The other 2 are very healthy looking so hoping it is nothing infectious. I have only had them since 31/7 so still very new to it all,but want to do my best for them...(vet bill already twice what I paid for her lol) Thanks for your help..I am so grateful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I'd give her a **Basic Health Check** and see if anything else obvious shows up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightonbelle Posted November 20, 2010 Author Share Posted November 20, 2010 Thanks for the above. She is fine in most areas...just the sitting around sometimes and not really eating..although today she ate the seeds from the middle of a tomato..but hardly enough to live on. Waiting for phone call from vet to see what he suggests next Hate seeing her like this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightonbelle Posted November 20, 2010 Author Share Posted November 20, 2010 Just an update...today a friend came round and we tried the tipping her head down but nothing came out. we tried twice but nothing at all.So hopefully not sour crop? The vet suggested trying her with worms...and it worked!! She ate 5 we found for her and then had a wander round searching for bugs in the garden. Not as energetically as the other 2 but she was looking. We then took a tub to the stables with us and bought her some more we found in the buckets left outside and she ate around more. So now waiting to see how she is in the morning. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Glad she's improved for you... They can be such a worry! For general "under the weather" symptoms, I find Poultry Nutri drops fantastic Just a few drops in the beak and it does seem to perk them up Glad to hear that you have ordered the flubenvet, I think it's important to routinely worm your girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightonbelle Posted December 21, 2010 Author Share Posted December 21, 2010 Hello again.... After everyone was so helpful I thought I would let you know that Belle stayed under the weather for several weeks and then suddenly last week she ran off with a cherry tomato so I knew things were looking up.She is now back to normal but has lost her place as head girl..the others have taken over now bless her! Thank you again..it was great to have some feedback and help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Great news did you ever find out what it was? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightonbelle Posted December 22, 2010 Author Share Posted December 22, 2010 No one seemed to know....I hope she isnt going to be a poorly girl....She is moulting now so hope that is ok at this time of year? Bit worrying as it is so cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
