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

[cd8jbr]

Hi

 

One of my ex-batts (rescued Oct 23rd 2011) is clearly not well. At the weekend she wasn't looking very happy but I put that down to the snow and cold temperatures which were making us all pretty miserable. However since then she's not really perked up but while she was eating she's not now. Last night I couldn't even tempt her with sweetcorn and today she wouldn't even look at live mealworms. She's standing fluffed up with her head drawn in and just looks unhappy. I have given her some nutri-drops to see if that perks her up a bit but when I left for work - no change. She's not usually easy to pick up but today - no problem. None of the hens is laying so not sure whether that could be a problem... She is standing though and sort of putting her head up and to one side a bit before drawing it in again - the best description is as though a cartoon chicken was trying to swallow something large - no evidence of anything though and the nutri-drops went down easily. She's still bright eyed so I'm not without hope but being an ex-batt she's not got any weight to lose so I'm a bit worried. I have arranged to take her to the vet this afternoon but if there's any advice on offer I can discuss it with the vet.

 

It feels as though her crop is empty - but as she's not eating that might be expected I guess.

 

Any advice gratefully received.

 

Thanks in advance

Edited March 14, 2013 by Guest

[Mrs_B]

Sorry to hear your chook is so poorly - you're doing the right thing with going to the vet!

 

When were they last wormed? Are there any signs of lice?

 

It might be worth noting down what her poop is like, as this might help the vet. They may want to take a sample too.

 

Good luck!

 

x

[cd8jbr]

Thanks so much for that - I feel less alone now. The hens were all wormed about 2 weeks ago so I don't think that should be a problem.

 

I haven't seen any signs of lice but with the weather/dark nights and having to work I don't get as close to them as I'd like to much of the time. It's something to look out for at the vets though. We've got the 5.50 appointment though so not so long to wait....it's going to feel like a long time though and it'll be past Nugget's bedtime by then too.

 

I can't isolate her poop from that of the others easily unless she poops in the carrier on the way to the vet which isn't likely due to her lack of eating but with luck she might - fingers crossed. Getting a sample from her nether regions might be possible though if it's needed.

 

I've left them in their run which is quite sheltered which is just as well as it's snowing/sleeting/raining out there and it's horrible so I guess that's not going to make her feel better either!

[cd8jbr]

I have just got home and put Nugget in the kitchen to warm up as she seems cold. She seems more and more to be struggling to swallow something and there does seem to be a lump in her throat - anybody got any experience of something similar? It feels a bit crackly but I don't want to try to feel her too much for fear of making her worse.

 

We're off to the vet in half an hour but I'd be happier knowing people have been through something simlar...and it ended well. I'm a bit scared for her at the moment.

[Mrs_B]

I'm not sure because I haven't experienced this myself, but I hope your vet was able to help you!

 

Good luck!!

 

x

[Egghead68]

I hope it goes OK at the vet.

[cd8jbr]

At the vets she was sick! As soon as she came out of the carrier -all over! It was watery brown liquid which smelled nasty and tests revealed blood in it so there's infection there. They took her out of the surgery into the 'hospital' part to empty her crop - which was full if nasty stuff. It must have been horrible for her but it had to be done. After that she was given fluids, anti nausea to make her feel better and anti-biotics for the infection. I'm keeping her in the kitchen tonight so she's warm but I only have a large cat carrier - will this be ok? I know it not ideal but I'm not sure what else to do. I have put water in a coop cup for her but no food yet as the vet says the aim is to get this moving first - tomorrow for food. We are also going back tomorrow as the vet thinks more mess will be needed and she might have to stay in.

 

She's quiet in the carrier at the moment so I'm just leaving her be. Another quick question - at the vets she kept closing one eye ( the left) could this mean anything?

 

I'm still worried about her. A lot.

[Grandmashazzie]

You have done all you could,she's probably a bit shocked and feeling rotten I would let her rest in carrier in warm kitchen,but I am beginner too someone will be along soon with more knowledge.Good luck.

[sandyhas3chucks]

the cat carrier is fine. dont let her get too hot indoors though, gently warm is good... good luck x

[good_egg]

Poor thing, no wonder she felt off colour. Hope she picks up now.

[cd8jbr]

Is 15 degrees too warm? It doesn't feel it to me - but it might to a hen. I feel so helpless with this. Dogs, cats and horses - no problem but I'm such a novice with hens

[sandyhas3chucks]

I don;t know what others think but I wouldn't think 15 to warm...

I think 20.. 21 is for a poorly...

[good_egg]

I've had a poorly hen in the house at the temperature for us, which I would guess is pushing 20. Also had a girl on a bottle when she was poorly. Would think 15 fine, wouldn't worry if a bit warmer either. But just a guess!

[sandyhas3chucks]

too hot and she will drink lots to lower her temperature, and therefor poo liquid, as this is how they reduce their temperature, this makes it hard to access if poo is normal...

also

IF a sick girl has a temperature due to infection, then to be at our room temperature would be most unpleasant for them, and they may feel too poorly or confined and unable to walk to somewhere cooler..

A chickens core temperature is already a lot higher than ours

[cd8jbr]

The vet recommended natural yoghurt so I've been out to get some and I could only get a large pot! No way will she eat even quarter of it - IF I can get her to eat at all, so is it ok to give some to the other hens with their pellets?

 

I'm glad she's inside as its below freezing outside and icy. Sure the others are tucked up snug and warm in their eglu but I'm sure a poorly chuck is better off indoors and warm.

[cd8jbr]

Thanks for that Sandyhas3chucks - Nuggets is just lying quietly gurgling occasionally (which worries me a bit) but not attempting to drink so hopefully that means she's comfortable. She hasn't moved for a while she seems to be settled and I'm trying to stay out of there so she's not disturbed - it's way after her bedtime! She hasn't pooped either but that's probably because there's been no throughput.

[sandyhas3chucks]

Absolutely agree. Best use her energy for recovery not keeping warm

[Grandmashazzie]

Yes I give mine Nat yoghurt if I need to use it up.I make pellets warm porridge and put yoghurt on top they love it,let us know how she is tomrrow

[cd8jbr]

I've just looked in on her and she seems to be fast asleep with her head tucked under her wing. She looks so peaceful so hopefully she will feel much better in the morning. Fingers crossed.

 

Good night everyone and thanks so much for your support.

[cd8jbr]

6am and I was quite nervous checking up on her - but she's awake, singing happily and hungry! I've given her food and she wants it! So I think she's on the mend. I'm going to keep her in today and back to the vet for more jabs just to be sure but right now she seems happy -so I am happy too!

 

I'm not do happy about the cat carrier all day but I think it's a small price and hopefully tonight she can go back with the others.

[good_egg]

Great news!

[jasperaliceuk]

So glad she's on the mend - have had a couple of scares with one of mine which have thankfully selfrighted, down to soft eggs and lashes - so I'm dreading the day one of them comes down with something worse!

 

Sue

[Grandmashazzie]

So pleased to hear your good news

[Mrs_B]

Yay! So glad to hear she's feeling better - here's hoping she will be well very soon

 

x

[cd8jbr]

Been back to the vets and she's had another anti-biotic injection and a crop empty just to be sure. She's much better so hopefully she won't need another trip to the vets but a watching brief is important over the next few days. I can take her back for more anti-biotics tomorrow if necessary - is Saturday if I'm worried.

 

She's back with the others tonight so I'm sure she will be relieved as she was cramped in the cat basket. I will have to get something better for them for the future -just in case.

 

I will keep you posted of any changes but I'm thinking she's got a very good chance now.