New hens not going into Eglu Go Up

[chickenopolis]

Gloria has not been right the past month or so. Over the last week we have been to the vets twice and each time, the vet (who is brilliant) can't find anything wrong, and of course when we get to the vets Gloria "seems" better!!!

But she is hunched up most of the time at the back of the run, her crop is full full thing in the morning, squishy but not hard. Have massaged this with liquid parrafin daily. She has had a weeks course of Baytril and still no diferent.

Vet said on Friday her temperature was normal. Gloria is a slim chicken, but she is just a bag of bones now, and she can't walk very far, she almost seems to be walking on tip toes. I am worried that if her crop is full and not moving I am watching her die.

She had some pro biotic yoghurt this morning, and a grape, but only really eats soft things. Had no eggs for over a month (I had thought peritonitus at first).

Appointment with vet tonight which I don't think will result in a return journey but I just don't know else to do to help her.

Has anyone else's hen been like this - please say yes and that you have found a miracle cure.

Edited September 20, 2011 by Guest

[Tweety]

I'm sorry to hear about Gloria and it sounds as if you have done all that you can for her. The only thing I can think of, and it may be worth asking your vet about, is to try some Beryl's Friendly Bacteria - although it does sound as if it might be a bit too late for her.

I had to take one of my ex batts to the vet recently with similar symptoms, though she had only been off colour for a day or two. Her crop wasn't emptying, she had lost weight, and the food that was getting through her system was undigested.

The vet, an avian specialist, suspected a problem further along the digestive system and gave her a dose of Beryl's via a tube. It certainly did the trick, and Tatiana is now fine.

However, it sounds as if Gloria's problem is more serious and you will have to be guided by the vet

[Snowy]

I hate to say it, but it may just be her age

I note you got her in July 2009 - was that as point of lay or is she an ex batt?

[chickenopolis]

She was POL when we had her and she has been banging out eggs ever since - well up to last month.

As she is only around 2 1/2 I hadn't taken that into consideration, as her sister is the same age and looks a completely different chook. Having said that Flo stopped laying a few months ago and is now a free ranging lady of leisure

Gloria has always been a tad on the scrawny side but I took that to not matter as she was a regular egg layer and I have read that fat chooks don't lay eggs.

I do think if we have a one way journey tonight that the whisky bottle may take a bashing soon after!!

[Snowy]

Aww bless her. 2 1/2 has been the limit for most of my gingernuts. All that egg laying wears them out too quickly

[chickenopolis]

This morning Gloria went to chook heaven, as they needed a bouncer on the door, and there is non better than fiesty Gloria.

Thank you for all your support.

Sarah

[Snowy]

So sorry to hear that

Love the idea of her being an angel bouncer though

[Tweety]

Sorry to hear about Gloria - she was obviously a real character

[Peaches]

Sorry to hear your news, Sarah. Have a stiff drink tonight and toast her on her way.

 

Fiona

[hippy chick]

So sorry xxx

[cathybc]

sorry to hear your news x

[chickenopolis]

Thank you for all your responses - it really does help. Thank you so much - not only is this forum informative, but really is a preserver of sanity, so thank you very much x

Our remaining 3 girls all slept together last night, all snuggled up together in the Eglu (on account that Dolly fell bottom over bosom yesterday morning coming down the stairs and now has a limp - so will rest this for a week and they can live in the Eglu).

I am so over compensating today - have hung up a peck a block and a spring cabbage (that OH thought was for tea tonight ) - they also had what I call "their treat box", which is a white D cup half full with mealworms and chopped up grapes and a few blueberries.

Am at work today so I can't wait to get home tonight to give them a squeeze.

Gloria will never ever be forgotten, and is it bad of me, but am thinking once Spring is here and the 3 are all together the Cube is empty.......

[oneyolktoanother]

So sorry, thought the angel bouncer was very sweet