What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Julianna]

Our lovely girl Olga has been at death's door on and off for several months - motionless, nasty poo, stopped eating and drinking, hunched down, high temperature etc. The vet prescribed 2 separate courses of antibiotics but we've given up on that now. She goes through these periods for a week or just the odd day or two then suddenly comes back to nearly normal. She hasn't laid an egg for months. I wondered if she could be depressed?! I'm not bothered about having no eggs but it's awful to see her in distress. Tried all usual things like working, Verm X, tonic etc. Any ideas or experience of this? Thanks

[Egluntyne]

Might be worth worming her with Flubenvet.

 

TBH if she has been this poorly for months, despite treatment I'd consider having her put to sleep.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry to hear about your poorly girl . I was going to suggest Flubenvet too.

 

How old is she?

[Julianna]

Thanks. She's nearly 3. I asked the vet about putting her out of her misery a few weeks ago and she thought we should wait to see if she sorts herself out. It's such a difficult decision because when she's not like this, she seems nearly normal (minus egg laying) and definitely not at the end of her life. I will try Flubenvet. Thanks again.

[Egghead68]

I would send samples of poo and throat swabs (and poss blood) together with off to Retfords Poultry Partnership asap and see what comes back. Give them a ring and they can send you a swab kit. You should get the results in a few days and they will suggest a course of treatment if applicable. The vet there is called Libby and is very helpful. I think it costs around £30 from memory (may be more for multiple samples).

 

Is your vet a specialist poultry vet? If not I would find one.

 

If Olga doesn't respond to treatment quickly (after advice from Retfords) I would also consider having her pts.

 

Good luck.