Chrissie218 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Hi there Can someone help? I've been through loads of postings to look for similarities to what's happening to Barbara my previously most robust chicken. There are many similar posts, but I suppose like all my chicken chums I just need to have some personal advice on what's happening because I'm so worried. I have 4 ex=batts, we've had them since early May this year. Yesterday morning my 4 chickens were all healthy and lively as usual and for the first time in ages I had four eggs instead of three. My little one Marilyn laid a small egg! Wonderful. All the girls were in the garden and when I went out in the afternoon to give them corn, I noticed Barbara was missing. She was behind a tree and hunched over quietly. I thought was unusual especially as she had laid an egg which she does most days. I had to carry her back in the run later in the day and guide her towards the coop at bedtime. This morning she's come out of the coop but only had water, she keeps moving her beak as though she's chewing something? She's very quiet, drinking, but dribbling her water as her chest is wet. Her vent is a little dirty. I can't do much more this morning as I have to go to work in a little while. I'll see how she is tonight. The girls have all been wormed about a couple of weeks ago, with Flubinvet. They have ex-batt crumb, and just corn and pasta for treats. Not every day, sometimes they have sunflower seeds or finely chopped birdnuts. I worry about having to over handle her for baths, feeling her vent etc. because although I have managed to get all but one of my girls to tolerate being stroked and picked up for a little while, I think trying to do much more than that at this stage would cause Barbara distress. I think more than anything I would appreciate knowing I've managed to communicate with someone about this as I'm so worried. Thanks to anyone who can help. Chris x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Is her crop full? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie218 Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 (I'm writing reports instead of office, so I can keep an eye on her, can only do this because I've no meetings though!), Went out and she's moving around a little bit more now, she's eaten a little and is still drinking but looks uncomfortable. She went in to the coop and nested for a bit and then came out again, no egg, but when she came out she produced a little clear liquid with a bit of creamy looking fluid also. I'll just go and check her crop now, although they do get plenty of grit and egg shells with their crumb. chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie218 Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 When I went out Barbara was sitting behind a tree, but she moved ok when I went to her. I've never felt a full crop before, I don't know if it should be flat? It wasn't hard and didn't feel over full but it does feel a bit squishy. I don't know if this is normal. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie218 Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 Barbara wasn't too bad when I went to work this morning but she's poorly tonight. Her vent is very dirty and she's quiet, I'll take her to the vet to ask advice there. Chris x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 How is she now, sorry can't offer any advice but hope she is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Did you try the vet? I have to say I have twice and both times got better advice from the forum. I would try bathing her, each time I have done this they go very placid. Then give her a good check over. I'm not an expert but check crop, vent, and for swollen abdomen. If you post your findings I am sure you'll get some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie218 Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 Oh thank you thank you both for responding I was beginning to think no one would get back to me. What I've done tonight is separate her out from the other girls because she's doing runny clear and white poo and her comb has gone floppy and a bit purple rather than usual red, she' very puffed up and looks miserable. Her crops soft and squidgy but not huge, I've not felt her tummy I'll do that tomorrow. Trouble is I don't get home from work until late and I'm off to work again first thing and not home til 7pm (I'm off Friday). This is what I've done so far. I've washed her vent in warm water and dried her, and put her in a separate place (summer house with straw bedding, food and water. She's gone to sleep now, but drank a lot of water earlier. I'll see how she is tomorrow. I was really worried earlier I thought she might die, but she looked quite content when I left her tonight, fingers crossed...thanks again for getting back to me, it's good to know someone's out there as I've never had chickens before. (They get under your skin a bit don't they?) Chris x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I would take her to the vet. Is there anyone else who can do it? I do hope she picks up, she may have a soft egg there but to be honest it sounds more serious. Why do they always do it at the most awkward times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Yes they do! We lost an ex batt last year when we had only had her a few months. I told myself compared to her short life, she had a happy retirement, but still cried buckets when had her pts. Let us know how it goes, hopefully you will have a happy ending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie218 Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 Barbara was in the summer house and still looking very miserable this morning, but looked as though she's had a reasonable night, still very runny! Her bottom very messy but I had washed all of her back feathers and vent last night. My daughter let her came over to the village to see her this afternoon as I was very worried. But incredibly, against all odds she had perked up. She was let into the garden for a wander and that's where she was when I got home. She looks as though she wiled away her lonely hours preening her back feathers as they are looking much better, her comb is turning red again, and she's back with her sisters tonight! I am hopeful now, but I know how badly we can get things wrong, I'm such a novice, but fingers crossed she's picking up at the moment. She put herself to bed by 9 tonight which is early, but we'll see tomorrow. My husband has now renamed our summer house 'the isolation unit'. Thanks for those who responded to this newbie..I can't tell you how good it is just to know you're out there!! xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Chrissie I only yesterday posted this http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=79873 for folks to read. I know I sound like a cracked record but it is so money well spent, these girls can go up and down so fast and it is really so good to get that conclusive answer, you can ask and ask for advice but ant the end of the day we are only judging by what you type. There is also a forum called "The Chicken Vet " which is actually run by Chicken vets. you could always post there too.. I am glad your girl seems to have perked up, they are such a worry. I currently have 6 girls 3 past there 2 years of release henniversay on way to 3rd............. and 3 youngsters 2 just past 1st and one approaching 1st.. Rip many younger though sadly.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Sandy, where is your post. Link didn't work and am interested to read. Chrissie, how is your girl? I am thinking is she does have a swollen abdomen might indicate peritonitis, or some other infection, in which case antibiotics might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie218 Posted July 14, 2011 Author Share Posted July 14, 2011 HI there...anyone who happens to read this after so many days with no update from me. Barbara was well for about 24 hours and then went down hill again very fast. I took her to our nearest country vet who we knew had said she would take chickens into her practice. I took her about 5.30 in the evening on a Friday, when I got home from work and she was extremely weak. The vet told me it could be any number of things and as I already knew it's very hard to diagnose chickens with so many similar symptoms. She gave her a thorough examination and said that despite her apparent size, she was very skinny and she let me feel her breast bone, I was staggered, there was no flesh on her at all (and we call her Big Babs). She gave her an internal examination but everything was in order in her vent. She told me it could be peritonitis or the infection that has a long name beginning with 'C'. The vet was fantastic and I was in surgery with her for about 25 minutes, very patient, very interested. She told me the outlook wasn't good, but gave her an antibiotic shot. She said that if she lasted the night and looked a bit perkier the next day to go back and get a course of liquid antibiotics and a small syringe to give her orally. She also told me to isolate her for the whole weekend. I didn't think Barbara would last the night, she couldn't open her eyes or hold her head up. I thought I'd never see her alive again when I put her to bed. To my astonishment she was standing up waiting for me the next morning and hasn't looked back. We can't have her eggs now until August! Which means that we can't have any of our eggs unless we see who's in the nesting box! Oh well, it's worth it and they don't all lay everyday anyway. I thought the vet would think I was mad, but she didn't and she it was all very straight forward. It wasn't expensive either which really surprised me. Nowhere near as expensive as taking my other pets to the vets. Thanks again for all the comments and support, what a brilliant forum. Just off to find the 'impacted crop' forum now for Marilyn...life's never dull! Chris x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 oh Chris I am so pleased for you, they can make unbelievable turn arounds which is why I personally find that dreadful final decision so hard... Good luck and may she thrive. Maybe also start building her up and find something to support & strengthen her immune system... time now to take deep breath again and love her .. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Chris, so pleased for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
