Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Alis girls]

Bathsheba has been moulting and laying the odd softie for a couple of weeks. Wormed recently - mite free, yesterday running round with the others - today - miserable hunched up and lethargic. Checked vent - do not feel experienced enough to pop finger inside - having perused website before we felt we had nothing to lose from popping her in warm water - dried her well and put in basket in kitchen to recover. Rang vet - the vet on call knows little about hens and they adv m to take to an exotic pet place miles away. Shes a chicken for goodness sake not a snake. I think she will be PTS possibly because the vet doesnt know anything. Last laid Tues.

[Egluntyne]

Maybe brewing another soft egg? I'd just see how things go for now and maybe give her a calcium supplement. I see that Omlet now stock a calcium and phosphorous supplement.

[Alis girls]

Vet was very attentive despite her lack of experience and examined her vent - couldnt feel anything - gave her Baytril and metacam in case its an infection and to take back tommorrow if no better to be PTS. have syringed some water in her to keep hydrated and washed her again as pooey and loads of flies about. shes in old rabbit hutch sitting in the dark bit. has access to food and water. Doesnt sound good does it?

[sandyhas3chucks]

could still be a softee on route!!!

keep up the fluids and try and encourage her to eat any thing really.

good luck,

[Plum]

Could be a bowel infection so antibiotics should work. Fingers crossed

[Alis girls]

Doesnt want food - took water we syringed into her. Not sure what to think. Thanks for advice

[Plum]

That's good they dehydrate quickly, keep giving her a bit every so often. You could try a grape chopped up they provide more fluid.

[Alis girls]

Will try that too thanks

[scarlettohara]

Don't give up yet ! Antibiotics and metacam take time to get into the system, offer her some bread soaked in apple juice, tuna, mealworms or scrambled egg. She's only young so every chance she will get better

[Alis girls]

Thanks Scarlett -tried her with yog and mash and water - syringed a little in - she was not impressed. will see what how she is tommorrow

[scarlettohara]

How is she today ?

[Alis girls]

Hi Scarlett thanks for asking - sadly she died in the night. I gave her some water before I went to bed. Tried to feed her with some watery mash but she wasnt interested. I think she had an internal infection. She laid on Tuesday and apart from being a bit restless Friday she was free ranging and eating with the others. She was showing signs of going broody again. Had her exactly a year - not a long time - she was leader of the pack. OH says to get another but I am not sure because of the faff of introductions etc. The other two seem ok. Very sad and so is my 9 yr old who gets very upset when we lose an animal. Thats 2 this year with the rabbit. thanks for all your kind wishes everyone.

When I found her this morning her comb and wattle were bright purple - silly question is this a sign of anything or just what happens after death? I wasnt sure just in case I missed something. Thanks Ali

[Plum]

So sorry you lost her. Not sure about the comb.

[Henslaved]

So sorry to hear about your girl .

Think I read somewhere that the purple comb could be age, heart disease or lack of oxygen.

[Alis girls]

Thanks everyone - shocked at how many sick chucks on the forum - always typical when a long holiday.

[Alis girls]

i am now worrying about what I should have done or not done. She was definatley broody last weekend and then laid on Tuesday. She was moutling - did I miss something - she had laid softies a couple of days since and yesterday morning passed pale yellow stuff - (not smelly surprisingly) - I am amazed how fast they go down hill. I told the vet all this and took some print offs from Omlet. When should softies be a worry as I understand they do lay from time to time. I did ask vet re a calcium inj - I will order the calcium stuff for the others. Sorry - so many questions- was deeply affected by the sight of her this morning - not nice. sorry to waffle but very sad. - silly I know

[Henslaved]

As long as they have their layers pellets, access to crushed oyster shell and poultry grit and the others are laying fine, then I personally wouldn't bother with the calcium injection.

And it's not silly at all, perfectly understandable, worrying just shows you care is all

[scarlettohara]

Sorry Ali Nothing you did wrong, you were just unlucky

[cathybc]

sorry to hear about your girlx