Mrs

[Patricia W]

I found Maisie, one of the ex-bat's I rescued in April, collapsed on her side in the run yesterday late afternoon. I brought her in, dosed her with nutridrops, gave her some water, then put her in a box in a darkened room. I honestly didn't expect her to last the night.

 

This morning she has eaten ( so far) mixed corn, cat food, left over carrot and beans - and some layers pellets. She's also drinking well. As I type she is standing in her box, looking hunched and sleepy most of the time, but if I go over to her, she perks up and tweets to me. She also perked up when the others outside decided to give an alarm call (squirrel, I think). She seems to have a bit of a runny bot, but not excessively so - but it's very curry pooish in smell! They were all wormed with Flubenvet at the end of September and are obviously due to be done again but I'm wary of stressing her system at the moment.

 

I'm not sure what to do next, especially as I'm not feeling too good myself. Do I

- put her outside and see how she fares ( but it's -4)

- leave her another day and observe

- take her to the vet

 

Advice most welcome

 

Tricia

[alet_chicken]

If she was mine, I would not let her go back out. Keeping her body temperature in this weather will take a lot of energy, which she really needs to recover from whatever is ailing her.

 

Since your girl is eating, it may not do any harm to give her a day or so inside, and see whether she recovers in the warmth. If it's only for a day, there won't be any trouble putting her back in with her friends.

 

The smelly bot may just be that she's eaten something unusual, but it could also be that she has an underlying infection that's flared up now her body's a bit under par because of the cold. If that's the case, she might need to see a vet for an an antibiotics prescription.

 

Hope you feel better soon too.

[Patricia W]

Thanks

 

She's watching telly as we speak, still hunched but eating and drinking. I'm leaving her in as you say, and we'll see how both of us feel tomorrow.

[skye]

Hi Patricia,

 

Hope you feel better soon

 

Sorry to hear about your poorly ex-batt. Is she still laying, have there been any problems with eggs recently? We had a similar day or two with one of ours the other week, she has seemed a lot better since. I wondered if she either was eggbound or had a softy to lay, or possibly a touch of peritonitis. It sounds really good that she is interested in eating and drinking. I would agree to keep her inside if you can to help her get her strength back - ideally not too warm though.

 

Good luck with your girl, and hope you both feel better soon.

 

skye x

[Patricia W]

She is the one who really hasn't layed since we had her in April. She seems to have put all her energies into re-feathering and now has the most luxurious fully feathered look of all the ex-bats.

 

She's now settled down in her box which is on the floor with underfloor heating so she is very cosy! I'll probably pop her down to the vets tomorrow if she is still not 100%

[alet_chicken]

Good to hear she is doing well!(I'm jealous of the underfloor heating, it's sooooo cold here!)

[Patricia W]

The room she is in is set at 14. So just enough to keep the chill off her. But I'm in a room set at 20! Bliss walking around with bare feet

[skye]

How is Maisie today, Patricia?

 

skye x

[Patricia W]

Hi Skye

 

She died in her sleep overnight. At least she was warm and safe. She'd had 7 months of freedom so that's a comfort. I suspect that if I'd taken her to the vet, he'd have put her to sleep. This way she didn't have the stress of the journey.

 

So we're down to 5 ex-bats out of the 7 we originally had. The others are all enjoying running round the garden. Unlike the pure breeds, who are looking down their beaks at it, they seem to be enjoying the snow!

 

Tricia

[skye]

Ahhh. really sorry

 

As you say, she died in a nice safe and warm environment and I'm sure she had a lovely retirement with you beforehand.

 

Our one remaining rescue hen is the only one that will venture out as well! The others are looking at me as if to say 'do we look as stupid as her??'

 

Sorry again about Maisie, and hope you are feeling better today as well.

 

skye x

[alet_chicken]

So sorry to hear about Maisie. At least she was in a warm and comfortable environment at the last.

 

Our three remaining ex-batts (two from April '10, one from April '09) are really enjoying running around in the snow. The others are NOT impressed though, and not shy to let me know about it.

[Olly]

Sorry to hear that, but you did the right thing to bring her in and at least she died in comfort and warmth, it's unlikely that the vet could have done anything else, as you say. Sad but at least she had some happy times with you.

[Falkor]

Sorry to hear this Tricia. Maisie was a lucky hen to have 7 months of being loved (and I am sure spoiled) by you.

 

Sleep well little Maisie.