Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[jjmack]

Do chickens pine? As I posted previously florence has been poorly and has been inside most of the week away from Mildred. I have checked mildred over for the mites that florence had and treated as necessary. She looks healthy, her comb and wattles look normal, crop and vent fine, eyes fine.

 

But she looks really sad. She just stands in pne place and isn't eating and drinking much. I cobbled together a cage to put florence in on the patio in the sun and decided to put mildred in with her and she just lay down next to her. When I moverd florence to bring her into the warm a little while ago, mildred then stood up and had something to drink but thats it. She hasn't even touched the grapes and pasta I have put out.

 

Its almost as she is in sympathy with her. Am I likely to lose her too (I am not convinced florence is going to pull through and may have to do the deed)

[sadietoo]

I don't think Chickens pine... Mabel and Lucie came to me together from the same breeder and had been hatched at the same time...they were inseparable. I can't honestly say I've noticed any difference in Lucie since we lost Mabel earlier this week. She is eating and drinking well and has been out and about today happily rummaging about in the garden...

 

Sounds to me as if MIldred may be poorly too....

 

Edited to add...I wouldn't have thought that mites would be sufficient to bring a hen down that much...is it worth checking out if anything else is going on? Mabel was lethargic, and had become anorexic, tail down and looked depressed...very very quiet too..I have had some tests run and not all the results are in yet, but one thing that has already come up is Cocciadosis....it is treatable if caught in time...

 

Hope they pick up soon....xx

[jjmack]

Unfortunately we lost Florence last night. She just drifted off in her sleep. I don't think it was the mites as such, but as I hadn't spotted them she had lost quite a lot of weight. I will keep an eye on Mildred and see how she goes.

 

How do I dispose of Florences body? Putting her in the bin double bagged rings a bell, but seems a little sad. I understand we shouldn't bury them.

[sadietoo]

So sorry to hear about Florence. If Mildred is already droopy I'd get some vets advice asap if I were you.

 

Re disposing of Florence's body, I couldn't face double bagging poor little Mabel either, and so took her to the vets where they will arrange for cremation (cost just under a tenner, but gave me peace of mind!)...

[jjmack]

Mildred seems to be picking up a bit, but I now think I know why she's been off colour. I think she has sour crop. Crop squishy and bloated, lots of dark fluid coming out of her mouth when i turn her. So with the advice for other posts i am trying acv / probiotic yog, etc. So fingers crossed I can get on top of this and keep her healthy.

 

She has eaten some meal worms tonight and seemed quite excited by them for the first time for a while.

[sadietoo]

Glad to hear you have found a cause for Mildred feeling unwell...I'm guessing you've seen the excellent advice on the stickies here about treating Sour Crop...hope she feels better soon...

[sandyhas3chucks]

i rather suspect that she has whatever ailed her friend, she just showed symptoms later Most things they succumb to are contagious, (bar EYP type problems!)