Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[madchickenlady]

I am interested in when other keepers call it a day with a poorly hen. I won't go in to it all here, but I have reason to believe that one of my girls is from 'weak' stock and is now on her third myco-like illness. She is 2 and a half. Once again, she is on Baytril. I have, in the past, kept a hen that was obviously not a 'strong' chook going for over a year, but it was expensive and traumatic. It was a hard lesson (that hen was my favourite) but I won't make that mistake again. If this hen doesn't get better and stay better, then I think I will have to make a tough decision. What is your yardstick for attempting to help a sick hen? And when do you decide 'enough is enough'?

[mostin]

I have just had a hen to the vets for a cough, but i thought that a dose of antibiotics and she would be fine, there have been other complications since i took her of course , but looking hopeful now.

 

These days, i tend to always call it a day on a prolapse, I've never had a girl recover from one, and it always happens to the same girl again .

 

Severe peritonitis, when they can't breath and the comb is turning blue, I don't try to treat anymore, as I have never had a success story and it just prolongs the suffering, so I call it a day there too .

 

I have never had a girl with myco, that I know of, so I can't comment on that one, but when they stop eating and drinking and start wasting away, I think as upsetting as it is for us, sometimes it is kinder for them to end it sooner .

 

These are my views only, and based on my experiences, I'm sure other people may have very different things to say.

[Egluntyne]

Ditto to Mostin's post.

[spencerwood]

Hi,

 

I'm very sorry to hear one of your ladies is poorly.

 

We got three point-of-lay hybrid hens with Myco last August (unknowingly) and had a very traumatic few weeks trying to get them better.

 

It did clear eventually with Baytril, although I am aware this bug can still lie dormant – and they do in fact all still sneeze on occasions. Generally though, I would say they’re happy hens, behaving normally, eating and drinking well and laying daily.

 

Our baby of the bunch (White) did have to repeat the initial course of antibiotics and still has episodes where she doesn't seem quite 'herself'. In fact, we were at the vets with her over Christmas but she has since bounced back, as she always does.

 

My OH and I have discussed what lengths we'd go to with them and it isn't an easy topic.

 

In my view, I'll persist with treatment for anything (within reason) and in that I mean ‘what is wrong with them’ - is it treatable and/or life threatening and ‘how much will it cost to put right’. It sounds awful but I’m more than happy to spend £30 for a consultation and treatment and I would probably go as far as spending up to a £100 (although OH would go ballistic) but anything over that I would have to seriously think twice. If the problem persisted (a bit like it seems to with White) and treatment was a fairly regular occurrence, then I would probably continue with it unless they were visibly suffering. In this instance, I would then consider the PTS option, although I would feel dreadful about it.

 

I hope that helps...

 

Take care, Lizzy

[Daphne]

Since losing one hen to peritonitis (not sterile) and another to mareks, if I get either of those again I would cull/PTS asap as there is no cure. I also had a hen who got myco twice, relapsing maybe 8 months after her first attack. She finished her 2nd course of ABs but her breathing was very noisy (like she was full of phlegm), little appetite, little movement - I handfed her morsels 2 or 3 times a day and she sat about. I just couldn't bear it and had her PTS, I made the decision and it was done more or less there and then although I couldn't do it myself, she was my best bred bird. As it happens, I discovered afterwards that she was related to another excellent bird I had, who was also a poor doer and who died young. Anyway, I have to say the PTS bit wasn't very pleasant, it was an injection and took 2 goes before it worked, but she was a big exhibition orpington. I felt dreadful because I can't say she was completely at deaths door, but I also knew she wasn't responding to the meds. I think thats my guideline, when I feel the treatment isn't working or, dare I say it, if its going to cost a packet. Knowing how slender chickens' grip on life is at the best of times, I'm just not prepared to fork out for operations or costly procedures.

[madchickenlady]

Thanks for all the replies. I agree with everyone's limits, so it seems I'm not far off. The poorly hen has some face swelling (minor), a little eye bubbling and occassional sneezing, but no discharge from her nostrils etc. Her breathing is so far not rattling, and she's eating and drinking and mooching about (unhappily, because she's in the garage and away from her flock ) However, I'm hoping that the baytril will do the trick (plus the garlic in the drinker and poultry spice in the feed) so here's hoping

[Goosey Lucy]

I'd say it comes down to quality of life, both current and anticipated. It's hard to make that final decision and although it doesn't get easier I think it becomes clearer. I've dealt with several old ladies now, all but the first went before I felt they were really uncomfortable/suffering.

[madchickenlady]

I think you're exactly right, Goosey. It doesn't get easier, but experience means it gets clearer. Hopefully my girl will recover

[Goosey Lucy]

Fingers crossed. There are lots of us who understand what you're feeling.

[staceychristie]

Well Davina (Head Chook) was very poorly. The vet looked at her and couldn't find anything 'major' to worry about. She had Baytril, but was still the same. She'd been haunched up and not really bothering about the other girls eating her food or freeranging.

HOWEVER---- The vet said he'd come about something called Booster from Heal-X. I can't believe she's the same girl. Within a day, she was completely changed.

My view is as long as they aren't visibly distressed, and the vets consulted, then just keep your hopes up.

 

Stacey