Chicken bald back

[kaza46]

I have an old ex battery hen that caught a cold a few weeks back. We seperated her from the others and she seems to have recovered, eating well and drinking etc, but she now sounds like she has the hic ups..... does anyone know what this is? She is still eating and full of energy its just very weird. I am having to move her back with the other hens as i need the eglu she is in for my broody, is this ok? Any ideas at all would be helpful.

[kaza46]

Not getting any replies so to make it more obvious what she is doing i will record her but can someone tell me if i can post the video on here as i don't know how to? Appreciate any help. thanks everyone

[Plum]

It could be damage to an air sac. One of mine had the occasional hic for quite a long time but was otherwise fine.

[kaza46]

Did you do anything with her or just leave her to it? I have now given her water with Apple Cider Vinegar and garlic in the hope that this helps her. Any other advice? Is she contagious to the others? I have her seperated from the others

[Duncan08]

Funnily enough my Bluebell has developed hiccups. She has no other symptoms, eating and drinking and is laying fine and there is no gaping. (hiccups can be a sign of gapeworm). I have left her to it, but have just ordered some Flubenvet just in case.

She has had it for a week now, it isn't constant, but she will have a few hiccups then it will stop.

I havent separated her.

Would be interested to hear of any other girls with the problem.

[Plum]

Just went in the end but was there for best part of 6 months. She was fine.

[kaza46]

I heard Critical Care Formula can help (not sure) but can only get it from the Vet so i have been told. Have rung the Vet but not heard back from him. I think she was worse this morning and thats after giving her worming treatment and stuff in water. She is an old dear but dont' want her to suffer if no need.

[kaza46]

Hi there. I have just heard from the vet and he has diagnosed (over the phone) her having Mycoplasma. I am getting an injection tomorrow and we are playing vet and doing the injection ourselves . I am at the moment looking up what the Vet told me to do when injecting so i get it right . He had said to me that it wouldnt' be Gape worm as it doesn't get old girls only young ones and is more likly if more birds have been introduced to the flock. Just a usful piece of info i thought i would pass on. I will keep everyone posted on her progress and thank you for the support

[Duncan08]

Phew, had a bit of a panic then, but after looking up the symptoms on various websites it doesn't seem to be what my Bluebell has.

 

She just hiccups, no runny nose or eyes, heavy breathing.

 

I am going to give her a good going over tomorrow to be on the safe side though.

 

Thanks for the tips and letting us know what the vet said. All very useful and I definitley know what to look out for for Myco now, have read so much to make sure I havent missed anything!

[kaza46]

Saying that about Bluebell, the vet never mentioned anything about runny nose or eyes and BB doesn't have either of those symptom either. She is breathing heavy and cough/hicups. I have to say we have given her injection and she has nothing left of her . I really hope that the vet is right and we will see a change in her soon. If she does get better i would treat your Bluebell the same as it sounds like they both have the same thing, whatever it is. Here to our chooks getting back to good health soon

[kaza46]

Hi there again, It has been 3days since the injection and i have to say i dont' see a change in her at all, so i am a little disappointed it hasn't worked. I am going to ring the vet again tomorrow and see what her next course of treatment is going to be. I was hoping she could go back with the rest of the flock but i can't risk possibly infecting the others when i don't know what it is. Maybe it takes a bit more time to work but would have thought her cough/hicup would have started to go by now. I have to admit i havent' looked to see what her breathing is like so will report back on that one

[kaza46]

Ok, bad news, she hasn't responded at all to the treatment. She is just the same and not at all on the mend. I will phone the Vet again tomorrow and see what he thinks. It makes me sad to see her struggle so much with her breathing

[Egghead68]

Sorry to hear this.

[Duncan08]

Oh thats a shame, I spent all of Saturday afternoon with the girls and Bluebell seems to have stopped hiccuping now.

 

Mind you I was digging over the outdoor run and perhaps she couldn't get one out as she was too busy stuffing herself with worms.

 

Let us know what the vet says.

[kaza46]

BB update - The vet got back to me and thinks it maybe a tumour, so i think she is going to have to be put down . its a hard call but i think its one that needs be done

[Duncan08]

So Sorry to hear your news Kaza, it is a hard call, but better than leaving the girls to suffer

[Egghead68]

Sorry to hear that.