luggage16 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Hi I am fairly new to chicken keeping (have just had them for a couple of months) and so far things have been going well. This evening though I have noticed that one of my astralorps looks unwell. She is lethargic, was sat in the nest box earlier but hasnt laid an egg and has just been sat on the grass with her eyes closed not doing much. When I pick her up she feels like an ill animal iykwim - she isnt holding herself right and feels a bit dehydrated! I have no idea what to do?? I can probably get a vet appointment for tomorrow - do you think she needs to go? What things can I try myself? Ive topped up their food and water and cleaned them out. They've all had some mealworms this evening and she ate them too. She did a pooh while i was watching her and it looked watery and her bum looks a bit grimey too. Been flicking through my chicken manual but not sure where to start or whats most likely Any advice very gratefully recieved! Also am I ok to keep her with the others? I dont have anywhere she can go really?? Thanks Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Best to isolate if you could in case it's infectious - what about a big cardboard box and bring her in. anyway I would take her to vet tomorrow and take a sample of droppings with you. In the meantime I would try and get her to take some fluid which is more important than food. See if she'll eat grapes or some sloppy food, wet warm pellets can tempt them. If she's not drinking you can give it to her from a spoon or better syringe some down. If you have them Nutridrops can help pick them up when acutely unwell. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggage16 Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 she is still eating, i gave her some wheetabix before bed and she went straight for it. Im wondering if she got dehydrated today in the heat, When we went out about 4pm I noticed their water was nearly empty so wondering if its all my fault. Does that sound like a possible cause? I didnt get a chance to seperate her tonight but if she is still looking off colour in the morning i'll try and seperate her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luggage16 Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 Agnes had to be put to sleep. They werent sure what was wrong with her but she could barely stand when we took her in. They think it must have been something tummy related as she had diarrhea but no other obvious signs - couldnt see mites etc. Im really hoping whatever it is wont have spread to the others. Does any one have any tips to help prevent this or things to keep an eye on? atm all their poohs look normal and they all feel healthy etc. The only thing is my 2 pekins are suddenly getting bald tummys (they look like a plucked chicken!). I cant find the cause, again they dont look likee they have mites as far as I can see? I noticed on here that it could be broodiness? Any other suggestions?? Im going to get wormer and lice powder tomorrow to make sure they are up to date with everything (they were apparantly wormed at the start of the year but thinking its worth redoing them in case it was a factor with Agnes? Any other suggestions? Im so worried we are maybe doing something wrong somewhere Thanks Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 So sorry you lost her Bit hard to know how to prevent it. Just worm regularly, clean bowls and things weekly, give the girls the odd tonic to boost immunity at times of stress and give them clean food and water are the basics. When you get new girls isolate for a spell to check you are not bringing anything in and if one is poorly try and seperate her. Bet you are doing all this anyway. Your pekins will just be doing the hormonal thing and getting a bit close to going broody. One of my girls lost feathers on her chest each summer anyway probably to keep body heat down. I've lost chickens where I really didn't know what happened and beat myself up about it but really it's pointless because unless you have a postmortem you don't stand much of a chance of knowing what happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 sorry to hear about Agnes x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Chuck Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 So sorry for your loss . Please see my recent posting about my Austrlorp bantam, Sweetie, who had to be pts in similar circumstances. http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=77209 You absolutely did the right thing having Agnes pts to prevent prolonging her suffering. Hugs coming your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
