Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[good_egg]

We have only had chickens for jut over a month and already Vivienne has had us at the vet once and we are off again tomorrow, with her again. Hubby reckons she is a hypercondriac chook. First time was because she looked miserable and was tail down shuffling on tummy - we suspect softie but she took ages to sort - wasn't right until 5 mins before appointment!

 

This time she has been limping round the run like a wee sad soul. She hobbles a few steps then either stands like a flamingo or flops on the ground. Her wee tail is droopy and she makes a wee sad noise. Heartbreaking to watch. And she dropped two softies last night! We hoped she would be better today but seems worse and as hubby has been at home all day he decided he couldn't cope and booked vet. Didn't like the last one so driving to a recommended on (thanks ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody there) tomorrow, hope he is ok.

 

She is still managing to eat (scoff her good) and jumped up on lap to get into corn tub!

Edited July 27, 2012 by Guest

[good_egg]

Our wee Viv was properly traumatised by the time we got to vet - panting and hobbling and all fluffed up. She has been admitted for oxygen and F10 nebuliser (for respiratory infection even though no chest rattle). Vet was quite. On earned about her. She will have X-ray tomorrow for leg but nothing obvious - vet mentioned Mareks so bit worried.

 

On the positive side when hubby got home there was a second egg in box which we think is probably a pressure from Viv. If it is it is her firstvhardvshelled offering and it is beautiful and glossy and speckled. If not our welsummer has started laying, but her comb is still v small and that would make her first egg perfect.

 

Keeping fingers crossed for Viv being fine and just a sprain and a drama queen!!

[superkitty]

Hope all goes well and you have her back with you soon!

[merlina]

keeping fingers crossed for you!

[good_egg]

So excited! Hubby has just phones to say he has picked our girl up. From the vet commenting she was a very poorly hen yesterday and the mention of Mareks I was expecting the worst! Turns out we have a healthy hen who is a bit of a drama queen! She spent the night on oxygen and F10(?) and was well enough to have an X-ray this morning - all good, not even a scratch on her leg. She is still limping but we have medicine for her and for a potential chest infection. She has eaten the vets out of house and home and has laid a wee hard shelled egg (had only laid softies until maybe yesterday). So pleased, if a little poorer.

 

The vet says we have to syringe meds into her beak - I tried with nutri drops before and was a failure. Was worried about hurting her trying to get beak open - does anyone have any tips?

 

Also we were told technically can't eat her eggs anymore, but probably ok after a week - any advice?

 

Off to feed her corn and get cuddles!

[Egghead68]

Glad she's doing better. You can eat her eggs after a week.

Tips for meds: try wrapping her in a towel so she can't flap; try pulling down gently on her wattles to open her beak then syringe in a small amount at a time at the side, giving her time to swallow.

Good luck.

[good_egg]

Thanks for the advice. SHe seemed to be doing a bit better at the weekend and wasn't too bad about drugs as we always give her a treat afterwards. But yesterday and today she is looking very sad again. She hardly uses her leg now and is half shuffling half flying or using her wing like a crutch to go a very small distance then flop down - it is heartbreaking to watch. Very worried about her today, hoping there will be some magic improvement when I go home.

[Egghead68]

I'm sorry to hear that.