Jane and Martin Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I posted on the chicken clinic site 2 weeks ago because Ginger was not right. She has been to the vet he couldn't find anything wrong but agreed to give her antibiotics incase it would help she had a week of baytril and she perked up a bit but now is back to how she was. She has her tail down all the time she is eating and drinking and will come over for treats but when she walks she seems so back end heavy almost like a waddle. She doesn't seem to be in any pain - but do chickens disguise it. I feel I should have her put to sleep because she is no longer the happy chicken we had - but I feel so sad and want someonwe to say oh it's....... and you just need to..... and she will be fine. She is not really mixing with the others and takes herself off to bed way before the light starts to go. She was one of my original Omlet girls and got me so addicted to chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Sorry to hear about Ginger. She sounds like Babs was a few weeks ago. Has she laid any softies recently? Babs had egg peritonitis which the (avian) vet treated by removing 300ml of yucky egg goo with a syringe from her poor bloated tummy. Then 10 days of very strong antibiotics (noroclav) . She is back to her old self again now, but not laying at the moment (moulting ) She was hunched, tail down and in bed by 4pm every day. Within 2 days of anti b's she was fine! Wishing you all the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane and Martin Posted June 18, 2007 Author Share Posted June 18, 2007 I made the decision to have her put to sleep. She stopped laying about Feb but had been doing normal chicken stuff so I wasn't worried, however about 4 weeks ago she became very withdrawn although she was still eating and drinking she also passed what some described as "lash" this is when i took her to the vet who on examination could find nothing wrong but agreed to give her antibiotics. She did pick op for a few days but has gradually gone down since then. I could tell she wasn't happy. I know I've done the right thing but right now I'm just very sad. Glad to hear you had some good news with Babs. It's also encouraging to know that not all ill chickens have to be put to sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Sorry to hear that Ginger had to be put to sleep, it's never very nice for that to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Oh Jane I am so sorry to hear that. You did the best thing for her. She was very lucky to have such a caring, attentive owner. Thoughts are with you. Big hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane and Martin Posted June 18, 2007 Author Share Posted June 18, 2007 Thanks needed a hug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMO Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Sorry to hear your news. AMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Oh Jane im so sorry to hear about Ginger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 So sorry to hear your news. It is so hard to do the grown up thing even when you know it is the right thing to do. She is lucky to have had you to there to make the decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Sorry to hear your news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane and Martin Posted June 18, 2007 Author Share Posted June 18, 2007 Thanks everyone. Why is being grown up so hard? Not sure what to do next. I know I can't get just one chicken but if I get two is that too may for an Eglu - it would mean five. I know this sounds daft but will Gracie - the chicken I got orignally with Ginger miss her? Gracie has always been in charge, however Gracie and Ginger stuck together and the newer Legbars stuck together. They all got on together in a fashion but you could always tell who went with who. Tomorrow's another day hopefully will feel a bit brighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Sorry to hear about your hen: I lost one too on Sunday, and it is so miserable counting up to a lower number. I wouldn't rush into getting a new hen: three is quite a nice number too. And you may be surprised at what happens with the remaining hens. Mine have rearranged the whole pecking order: my Gingernut who wasn't allowed to roost with the others but was pushed into the nesting box has moved into the proper area, the two Pepperpots have joined forces, and everything seems to have settled down in an interesting new way already. You can get five hens into the Eglu as long as they are not too big. I think I would go for two eventually, but not in a hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane and Martin Posted June 19, 2007 Author Share Posted June 19, 2007 Thanks and sorry to hear about your hen. I know Ginger can't be replaced and I was worried about the others. I will watch to see what happens and then make a decision. Funnily enough Ginger always went in the nesting box and wouldn't let any of the others sleep in it. Last night my Pepperpot - Gracie slept there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
