Eglus free to a good home

[chicken bark]

For about a week now Ruby has been off colour. She started off hunched and keeping herself from the others. After a few days of watching her and tempting her with treats (and a bit of yoghurt) I took her to the vet. My vet was fantastic and gave her antibiotics a worming/mite treatment (just in case). My vet also spent a lot of time explaining to me things about hens which was invaluable to experience 'hands on'. That was last Friday. Sadly she is not recovering. She is not drinking and the only thing she will eat is banana - which I put some of in her water to tempt her to drink.

 

So at 5pm today I have another vets appointment. They will check she really is worse and then she will be PTS so they can do a PM and find out what is wrong in case my other hens are at risk. I'm concerned that one or two of the others are not as bright as they should be whilst most of my hens look as though they are thriving.

 

It is a very sad day and she will be the first hen I've lost.

Edited February 24, 2011 by Guest

[Daphne]

I'm very sorry to hear it Its never easy; sending you courage for later if you need it.

[oneyolktoanother]

so sorry to hear this, thinking of you

[Plum]

So sorry but best to have the courage to end it now rather than continue to let her deteriorate. Hope they can identify what is wrong and the others pick up. Hugs, its hard.

[Henslaved]

Very sorry to hear this , I know how hard it is.

 

Sending hugs xx

[chicken bark]

So sorry but best to have the courage to end it now rather than continue to let her deteriorate. Hope they can identify what is wrong and the others pick up. Hugs, its hard.

 

I agree with you Plum alas when they offered me an alternative I took it. They are going to give her an antibiotic jab for the next three days and see if she improves. The vet felt she still had a fiesty look about her (even though she is just skin and bone literally) and thought it was worth a try.

 

I feel as though I'm on an emotional roller coaster but will grin and bear it if they think she can get better.

 

Thank you all for your support.

[coco]

Hope she picks up for you, I know how worrying it has having a poorly chook. My vet told me to syringe stage 1 baby food into Coco when she was poorly, he said its high in protein. Very messy though.

[Plum]

Perhaps the antibiotics will work but you will need to keep her hydrated and as coco say syringing fluid in will help. Fluids are more important than food but if she is skin and bones already I really think you have a tough job on your hands. Good luck it is so much harder when you invest so much in them.

[oneyolktoanother]

it's never nice to see your pets suffering, but it takes guts to the decent thing but it takes a lot of heart to fight for their lives, thinking of you, we know it's hard as we all go through these hard times

[chicken bark]

Thanks everyone.

 

Tomorrow I'm going to make her a breakfast of yoghurt, mealworms and any slugs and worms I can find.

 

I'm also going to try a different drinker or two to see if there is one she will go for more than another. I'll try anything at this stage.

 

Just for confirmation - if you are looking straight at a hen when you open her mouth if the food hole the one in front?

[chicken bark]

She was PTS this evening. She was still losing weight. She also still had a fiesty look at the end.

 

At least it is over now and had a good last day asleep in the sunshine.

[Plum]

So sorry . comfort for you that she had a day in sun.

[oneyolktoanother]

so sorry to hear this

[Eggasperated]

Sorry to hear this - thinking of you.

[scarlettohara]

Sorry Chicken Bark

[coco]

So sorry, you did your best for her.

[Henslaved]

I'm sorry , you did your best for her.

[Daphne]

I'm sorry too but you did everything you could