l_ouise Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Hello, I could really use some advice as Shirley is suddenly very ill looking. She last laid an egg two days ago and it looked fine. Yesterday she seemed fine but I did notice a clear/white liquid poo but didn't know which chicken it was from and figured it was a one off. Then today I noticed her standing by herself and when I approached she didn't try to keep her distance like usual and with minimal persistence a caught her, gave her a stroke and released her thinking she was just chilling. I just went back out and she was by herself again but her head was resting on her chest as if roosting but in the middle of the lawn in the blazing sun. I approached and she didn't make any effort to move. I picked her up and tried to give look over her more thoroughly. All I noticed was that the dogs were very interested in her bum and when I looked it was pulsing and open slightly and there was clear/white slimey discharge around the area... Her lethargy is more worrying than anything - what should I try to do for her? Water? Anything to her bum? She is only 2-3 and treated for worm and mites. She free roams the large garden, no poisons or anything. Should I isolate her from the others? Thanks xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 I would isolate her at the moment, and try and get her to drink as she could get dehydrated very quickly. Unfortunately she is probably quite poorly if she is looking so ill. I can't suggest anything other than getting her to a vet, it's not obvious what the problem is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 It sounds as if she may have an internal infection, can you get her to the vet this evening? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l_ouise Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Thanks for the replies We decided it was either death or vets so we took her to the vets. They checked her over and because we suggested maybe being egg bound due to the pulsing bum they got their fingers up there to see what they could feel. Nothing at first and Shirley made some very sad sounds but eventually she pulled out a deflated egg with a leathery skin. Then they gave her an anti-inflametory to stop her pulsing so much and also a bit of that chemical that makes them pass eggs. Then on my request they gave her some fluids under her skin. It only cost £20 for all of that and I'm sure her egg production to date covers that This morning she is still alive and much more alert and eating a little so fingers crossed! The next step would be X-rays but I don't think we'd go for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 That'll be it then! The pulsing is to help them expel the egg... better out than in. Good charge too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Wow! What a fantastic vet . Mine charge £25 just to look at a hen Fingers crossed for your girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 great .. well done you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
