Unsecure chicken perches

[C&T]

Doris has been through it all lately. First she was pecking another chooks feather. We tried anti pecking spray and bumper bits, but neither worked, so we got a second run and seperated her at night, (as the damage being done when confined). Then she decided losing feathers was fun, so first started pecking herself, and then had a moult. Then 2 days ago she decided becoming broody was fun. This is all in 3-4 weeks.

 

So today I kicked her out of her temporary house to make a broody cage etc, only to find her bum was solid with poo, and her undercarriage wet where she had been sitting in her own poo. So washed her in bucket of water, and got rid of a load of poo, but will need to repeat tomorrow, as there was soooo much.

 

However I am worried about her. She won't stand at all - is this usual? Only broody experience I have is with one other chook who was a bit half hearted about the whole thing. When sitting, she is also leaning to one side a bit. She is currently in a box inside, eating a bit (sweetcorn and pasta mainly) and pooing. Her head is up.

 

Should she be in her broody cage? Or does it sound as though she could be a bit unwell? Worried that all the energy required for growing new feathers and not eating because of being broody may be a problem... Wish I had found time yesterday to sort her out - but a 12 week old baby was demanding attention as she is not well either at the moment...

 

Thanks in advance.

[Plum]

Difficult to understand what's happening. When broody their chest is very warm and I find mine are quite feisty.

 

When broody she may not just want to stand but it sounds alot more than that because of the poo. It may be the moulting has depleted her resources and feather pecking can be a sign of deficiency, I'd give her a good tonic like Lifeguard and check her for being eggbound which can affect standing, feel her legs for heat or abnormalities and failing that if still not standing take her to vet

[chicken bark]

I would get her to a vet sooner rather than later. Going off her legs is not a good sign.

[C&T]

Thanks Plum,

 

Her chest was very warm yesterday morning, so move her into a broody cage, so been in there 24 hrs now.

 

Lifted her out this morning, and still showing no inclination to stand at all... Looks like a broody hen - just like a pancake - but if you lift her up and put her down anywhere she will just stay there, and not very fiesty. Normally you can't get near this particular chook. Legs look/feel OK - at least there is nothing obvious I can see or feel.

 

Still only eating sweetcorn and pasta - but at least eating something! Can't get any tonic into her - she is not drinking (we are dripping water onto her beak to get something into her, and sweetcorn and pasta has water in it...). Still pooing so system still working.

 

Managed to wash her back end some more, and that looks much better. She does now need a good dust bath...

 

Thinking Vet is next step...

[C&T]

I would get her to a vet sooner rather than later. Going off her legs is not a good sign.

 

 

Thanks - I am thinking the same thing too...

 

And a Sunday too - why do things never happen weekdays??

[Plum]

I'd try grapes or melon to get some water in her until you can get to vet.

[C&T]

Just to finish the story, in case of any use to anyone else, the Vet put Doris to sleep.

 

The diagnosis was a neurological problem. We always knew she was scatty - but turned out to be more than that! The fact she was not using her claws or anything was the final sign, but her general behaviour recently all backed up the diagnosis.

 

Vet offered to give her some antibiotics - but reckoned they wouldn't do much and we would be back in a day or two, and it didn't seem fair to prolong things when not necessary.

[chicken bark]

Poor Doris - and poor you.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry to hear that .

[cathybc]

sorry to see the update

[Egluntyne]

That's a shame.

[Plum]

So sorry, brave decision not to let her suffer.

[gongladosh]

poor little thing - it's better that she doesn't suffer though, you've done the right thing.

[C&T]

Thanks for your support. She wasn't herself, which made the decision slightly easier - although never something you take lightly.

 

I found a lovely tail feather in the garden, which we shall remember her by.

 

Seems weird to be down to 2 chooks again, and not seeing my white chook running around the garden being chased by a fly - she was always very scatty!