scarlettohara Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I find it quite strange how people constantly ask advice on this forum re a sick girl, admittedly minor injuries or the odd looking poo can usually be sorted out from advice given. Girls (and boys) who look poorly and have done for a few days need to see a vet, this advice is rarely taken I apologise if this sounds like a rant but if you can afford an eglu or cube then you can afford a visit to the vet. This usually results in antibiotics which will probably come to about £25 ! I would think very carefully about spending lots of money on a poorly chicken (however if it was a favourite I might consider it) and have had girls pts when I knew it was time. This is not aimed at anyone in particular but some of these sick chickens posters who then completely ignore the advice make my blood boil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I agree, Scarlett - to be honest, I'm often surprised at the advice asked on here about human health problems as well - this is a friendly and helpful forum, and we all like to give advice, but there's only so much you can diagnose over a computer screen! It's a personal decision for everyone; my policy is that I wouldn't spend much more than £25 on a sick hen, nor would I put one through an operation, but that's my choice, and not for everyone. I certainly wouldn't let one linger on if it was ill, though - apart from the point of view of not prolonging suffering, I would not want the risk of anything spreading to the rest of the flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 Thanks for replying Olly - I thought you might pull the thread tbh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I agree and again with no one in mind. All too often by the time people post their birds are beyond DIY help at home. We can all offer advice but diagnosing does not cure anything, they need treatment. If you can buy something over the counter it is not a medicine, medicines can only be bought from a vet and a lot of these birds need medicines. I get a bit annoyed too with the 'my vet doesn't know anything about chickens' as a reason not to seek veterinary help. Whilst a vet may not be experienced with poultry, they can at the very least give some broad spectrum antibiotics and tell whether treatment is a viable option. All too often things have gone too far and euthanasia is the only humane option- any vet can tell whether things are hopeless (or not). I hate hearing of untreated hens left so long that they finally die If a vet is not an option financially I can accept and understand that but only if people are prepared to dispatch a hen that is suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joybelle Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I`ve taken several of my chooks to the vets when they have been very unwell, I said from the start of keeping them that I would give them one chance to get better and yes its never cost more than £25 a visit. If they dont get better I take them back to be PTS. I`m fortunate that my vets practice has three vets that own chickens and they can always tell me whats wrong with them. I could never dispatch a bird and wouldnt want to learn how to either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 But it is only advice and they could be listening to other forums, reading up and listening to chickenkeepers they know and I think you have to weigh up all of it and make your choice and I don't always follow advice given on the forum. Lots of us are amateurs and learn lots from eachother but that doesn't make the advice valid, a lot of it is anecdotal. Having said that I love that we share our experiences and try and help eachother so much. I'm really grateful for anyone replying to my posts when I'm in trouble. Agree its wrong to see a pet in trouble and not get expert advice (vets) or end its suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 I agree with all that has been said ... there are many points of view and ways of doing things ... but the one thing that in my book that is completely wrong is to leave a hen in extremis because the idea of putting it to sleep or seeking professional advice is too upsetting/the owner hasn't got transport/can't afford vet's fees. For one thing, it goes against the Five Freedoms. 1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour. 2. Freedom from Discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area. 3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment. 4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind. 5. Freedom from Fear and Distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering. It is all part and parcel of responsible animal ownership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted August 27, 2011 Author Share Posted August 27, 2011 Thanks for posting the above, a good reminder of how animals rely on us to provide and care for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 The above is great. I was at the vet within two hours of my hen hurting her wing last week but still posted here, partly needing to share as I was so upset but also it's great to get feedback and advice on other peoples experiences as at the time the vet gave me three options, getting different opinions allowed me to weigh the options with more background and sort of clarified thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 The above is great. I was at the vet within two hours of my hen hurting her wing last week but still posted here, partly needing to share as I was so upset but also it's great to get feedback and advice on other peoples experiences as at the time the vet gave me three options, getting different opinions allowed me to weigh the options with more background and sort of clarified thoughts. Perfect It is great to visit here for opinion, experience and reassurance. You have illustrated perfectly how the forum works in conjunction with sound veterinary back up. So glad to hear that things are looking more positive for your girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I have to say that my OH and I both find the thought of having one of our girls PTS very upsetting, but if push came to shove then we would. As some know we've had a tough time lately with Myco going through our flock and had been advised on one forum to cull them all and start again. However that would have meant having healthy hens PTS just so we could start over again, which seemed cruel to us. We have spent quite a lot at the vets over the past year. I know when one of our ex batts was sick we spent £90 on vets bills for her as they kept her in for a couple of nights. Over the last couple of weeks we've spent over £100, but that was to treat our whole flock. We keep saying we won't spend more than £25 on vet visits, but it's so easy for it snowball into being a huge bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
