2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Mrs Potts]

Hi, everyone.

 

Lottie hasn't been quite right since we collected her on 24th March (ex barn hen, BHWT Coventry). Her eyes move quite slowly, and her comb looks like it has been dusted with white powder, as does the skin behind her head. I have washed this several times, but it still remains white and dry looking and not bright pink like her two Coventry sisters. In fact, the back of her head and face are not well feathered at all. I have mite powdered them all, just in case, but it doesn't seem to help. The coop is cleaned each week and DTM gets squirted around the edges and in their bedding.

 

Softies are a regular occurrence. Actually, she has laid at least three this week - and she's only laid three this week. She refuses to eat from the grit pot, so I have taken to mixing fine ground oyster shell in with the pellets, so that she consumes this way. Can't separate her to eat, she gets very distressed. However the softies don't seem to make her be in any pain - no hunching, no limping and no off her food. The other two Coventry girls have slowed laying, so they are being wormed at the moment.

 

Yesterday, she started a ratting cough. Wondered if this might be grass, as they free range a lot at the moment. Her crop looks and feels fine, but the cough is making it difficult to eat. I gave her pellet mash and yoghurt today, which she loved, but when feeding her noticed that her beak is actually very yellow compared to the other three hens, as are her eyelids. No discharge from eyes or beak or nose.

 

She't not unhappy and loves being in the garden, but she is clearly not in good health. I'm going to take her to vet on Monday but for tonight/tomorrow, can anyone think of what I am missing? Do you think it is mites?

 

Thank you.

[Mrs Potts]

PS Just to say they were free ranging until I started worming them today.

[sandyhas3chucks]

paranoid me would whip her to the vet toots sweet with a rattly cough. for now citrcidal in water? an oregano supplement. ?

[Mrs Potts]

Thanks, Sandy, will do - but what do you think it is?

 

is a bit more worrying as a diagnosis than I thought ... do I need to quarantine her?

 

Mrs P.

[sandyhas3chucks]

probably others would say so, but she's been with them all this time.???

It could be a few things, but would have thought antibiotics would be best...

Always hard when you can hear or see.

Just know respiratory best treated not ignored..

But don't forget I had a wheezy hen for 3 years, the 2nd day I had her vet gave her a kong lasting jab just incase.

It wasnt anything contagious or an infection at all, and contray to what we all thought it did NOT take her in the end.

Just my opinion, best be safe than sorry..

Your in Cranleigh aren't you?or have i got you mixed up with someone else?

[Redwing]

I would separate her if she is rattling

 

the face thing could be a condition called Favus. A friend had a bird very similar to what you describe, it was never diagnosed but this spray cured it (it can be used around the eyes/head) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lincoln-Range-Vetericyn-250ml/dp/B0050RUX4Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1338121484&sr=8-2

[Mrs Potts]

Hi.

 

I separated her this morning partly because of the rattle, but also because the other three have started to peck the tiny feathers just forming near her tail, and repeatedly drawn blood. I tried Nettex anti peck spray yesterday which worked, but only until it is dry and then they start again, so no other option. Last thing she needs on top of everything else.

 

Rattle is not in her chest or gasping breath when she breathes in and out, seems to be just a rattle just below her beak. She is in sight of the others but has perked up being on her own and just had super long dust bath; they are noisily miffed at having their favourite toy removed. I have given her a spoonful of yoghurt with olive oil twice, which she liked, and put apple and garlic into her water. Worming pellets are being mashed which seems easier to swallow.

 

I have been reading up about soluble calcium for the softies, so will check with vet tomorrow and take it from there. That spray looks interesting, Redwing; I've been reading up about facial fungus and nystatin/other remedies this morning, so will give it a go. The vet practice is usually good but if they can't diagnose, it won't hurt to try.

 

Thank you for your help.

[Mrs Potts]

PS Sandy - no I am not in Cranleigh, much further west between Hereford and Worcester.

[sandyhas3chucks]

Might it be gape worm? they are in the throat aren't they? I a vet should be a able to see them easy enough.. Think you shine a torch down the throat? Am Using my phone so can't look back. Is she a batty? If so they sometimes have air sac damage. I which might wheeze /rattle. All might be clearer tomorrow.

[sandyhas3chucks]

how is she today? did you get her to the Vet?

[Mrs Potts]

Hello!

 

Very kind of you to ask, Sandy. We now have an appointment for tomorrow late afternoon; not Monday. I had to cancel and do an unscheduled post GCSE exam pick up instead yesterday, and had two weeks off with throat infection at beginning of May. To ask for an 11.30 am appointment this morning just didn't feel appropriate on top of everything else.

 

I have to say Lottie is eating and drinking like a horse in her little run, sleeping in a cat basket and has her own logs to keep her jumping/perching. I got a mix of grit that is part oyster, part soluble yesterday and mixed that in with her feed as she still avoids the grit pot. New feathers are heading down inside the quills, so no infection or flies (that really worried me). Cough is still there and although not constant, hope she coughs whilst at vet tomorrow. Crept up to listen to her last night and she was snoring - lovely! Leia snores too so it was in stereo.

 

Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

 

Mrs Potts

[sandyhas3chucks]

good luck, then , hope they can shed some light. they are funny the way they like to be spoiled.. let us know how you go please.

[Mrs Potts]

Hi, Sandy.

 

The vet said that Lottie was just very, very run down. I said I thought the ex-barn hens were in a worse condition, more agitated than the ex-battery hens I had and she thought that was usually the case.

 

No sign of worms or infection in Lott's throat, no mites at all but very thin and by her tail, where new feathers come through, might be beginning an infection. Even though Lott has no respiratory infection, vet agreed best to keep her separate until her feathers are bigger/she's put on some weight and can fight her corner some more.

 

I also took Gracie, who has sneezed once every morning and evening since we got her. Again, she said Gracie was very thin but in better condition - obviously lively! - however, she could hear a bit of lung wheeze.

 

Very thorough consultation of about twenty minutes, Baytril and Flubenvet for everyone - £38. She was the vet who managed to sort Hettie out last year and gave her another six months of fair health.

 

Best wishes,

 

Mrs Potts

[mimi5]

Oh well done you!!! It's such a relief to find a vet who takes your chickens health seriuosly is'nt it?!

 

One of my pekins has been off colour for a little while...it's a long story, but I took her to a different vet this week and we are trying a few things to get her well (if possible!!) But she had seen a different vet the week before and been back to breeder where I got her from last year,the week before who both said she was fine!!!!!!

 

She is very thin and pale has an upset tummy and scaly leg!!! Poor little girl!

 

Here's hoping Lottie and my girlie both pick up!!!!

[sandyhas3chucks]

Great mrs P.

All bases covered.

I rad good things about Fulvic acid and then when searching found this from Omlet.

http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken+Keeping&sub=Vitamins+and+Tonics&product_id=9802&product_name=The+Poultry+Answer+50g

It might help give the girls a boost?