FruitandNutCake Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Hi. One of my x-batts, Maisey , appears to be poorly. She seems to huddle up in a corner most of the time, and only half-heartedly pecks and the layers mash I put out. She showed a little more interest with the cabbage I hung up in the run, but not as much movement as usual. Also, for a few days now, she has had a very mucky bottom. I've given her bottom a good wash with baby shampoo, and rinsed well with plenty of fresh water and towel dried but it gets messy again very quickly. I'm going to get her booked into vets as soon as possible after work, but any thoughts would be appreciated. (ps. she hasn't laid an egg for about a year - so could it just be old age?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 It could be old age. My first thought when a hen has a mucky bum is that she might have worms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 I guess I could try fluvenvet first and see how she gets on over the next week. I have a new pot of it in the cupboard so could start it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I'd give it a whirl. I'd also give her a Basic Health Check, and if anything obvious shows up, or she doesn't improve after the Flubenvet, take her to the vet anyway. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 I think I'll take her to vet tonight/tomorrow morning if they can get me in. I just put her in a rabbit cage with fresh straw bedding, and her own bowl of water and food, and she was falling over, and didn't even touch her food Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 I'd give it a whirl. I'd also give her a Basic Health Check, and if anything obvious shows up, or she doesn't improve after the Flubenvet, take her to the vet anyway. Good luck. Oh - she is definitely poorly - and feels light compared to the other 3 hens I have. She is sitting with eyes half closed very unstable. Unfortunately i have to go to work or I would take her straight to vets now. But I will ring them as soon as I can to book an appointment. She must be about 5 years old - as I've had her nearly 3 years since her rescue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Is there any swelling or tightness around her abdomen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 No swelling. I've just checked on her and she seems a lot perkier and has eaten some of her food. But her poo is green and waterery. She doesn't appear to have any swelling. I have an appointment with vet at 5:30 with a chicken knowledgeable vet - so hopefully will find out what is wrong with her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 Unfortunately when I took Maisy to vets last night, they confirmed that it was either peritinitis or advanced cancer. vet could feel a distended abdomen and explained that it was probably a build up of fluid that was affecting her balance. vet put Maisy on the floor to see how well she could walk, and she was just falling over. we both agreed that considering her age, and she had had nearly 3 years of freedom with me, that it was best not to let her suffer, so I agreed to let her go. I also think having to wash and dry her bottom every day would have only added to her stress. Now I'm curious though - is 4-5 years a good age for an ex-batt? Do they generally last longer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Hello. Just read your posts and im sorry to hear that I would say 4/5 years for an ex batt is something to be proud of, considering the conditions she was once used to. xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teacake Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 sorry to hear about Maisie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 So sorry R.I.P Maisy she had a good life with you and I would also be proud of her age Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 sorry to hear about Maisie - a good age from what I have seen of others tho.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
