amycribyn Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 I have a rhode island red hybrid chicken and last night she came in the hutch really quitely and sat down in the corner next to the perch(which is where they tend to lay their eggs) so i just thought she was getting broody. But this morning she was huddled up under the perches and wouldn't come out. I imediatly isolated her just in case it's infectious or she gets bullied. Her symtoms are not wanting to eat and drink, breathing heavily, unbalaced, and generally ttired looking. Im not sure how old she is but i think shes getting on a bit. Could anybody tell me whats wrong with her? Thanks Amy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Sorry to hear about your hen. It's hard to diagnose from what you've said, it could be an infection but if she is looking very poorly and not wanting to move about, then there is certainly something wrong. You did the right thing to isolate her, but I think you will need to take her to a vet if she is still unwell this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 How's your chicken? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amycribyn Posted March 20, 2013 Author Share Posted March 20, 2013 Unfortunatly she is still ill and i think she has a little discharge from her nostril. im hoping its not contagious, but i haven't seen anything else come down with it, so cross fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amycribyn Posted March 20, 2013 Author Share Posted March 20, 2013 Good sugestion Olly but i dont have any avain vets near me and i think she is near her end any way, so i think i will be kind to her and if shes still not showing any signs of getting better by the end of the week i will put her down. But she must have the will to live to still be alive as she looks quite ill. What do you think i should do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 She has been ill since Saturday night, from what you said. She is not going to get better without treatment, and possibly not even then and she will be suffering. Please don't wait any longer to see what happens - either take her to the vet to be put to sleep, or despatch her yourself if you know how to do so properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I am afraid that chickens showing symptoms like this will not get better by themselves or with DIY treatment. She needs to see a vet or be humanely dispatched ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 How is she this morning? If there is no improvement, then please take her to any vet. It does not need to be an specialist avian practice. As pet owners it is our duty under the Animal Welfare Act to seek rapid diagnosis and treatment for a sick animal. She sounds in a bad way and is unlikely to get better without help. As Olly suggests, your only other option is to despatch her immediately, to end her suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela & Ken Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 How is your hen now? It's very difficult, isn't it, when our lovely little hens are unwell. They are quite fragile, I've found. If you don't mind me saying - it's ok to say we have a duty of care, which of course we do, but my experience of vets is that they may not have a clue when it comes to hens! I've owned hens now for around 7 or 8 years and I believe I now have far more experience and knowledge than the average vet who isn't a avian vet. Here in London I know of one avian vet and we had to travel a distance to get there. We spent over £1,000 on one hen. Yes, you read that correctly - only to have her die a horrible death anyway. I would never do that again - it was cruel. I feel I now have the knowledge, insight and experience to diagnose my own hens mostly and nurse them back to health (if possible). I have a sick hen at the moment and I think I've narrowed it down to two possible causes, but I think I may need antibiotics, which I don't have. I called my local vet, explained I probably knew more than they do about hens as they don't have experience with poultry, by their own admission. I said I'd like to come in and have a small pet examination. That's £28. I then asked how much antibiotics might be (I've been stung so many times with visits to vets for hen problems) and I was told it would be a very small fee. I asked what that might be, approximately and she replied "about £80". Yes.....£80. That's not a small fee, is it? I'm fuming. I have a sick hen and I believe she needs antibiotics and I want to help her but I can't do so unless I pay £108, approximately! I don't have much choice though. I do hope your hen gets better or you find peace for her soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amycribyn Posted May 12, 2013 Author Share Posted May 12, 2013 Sorry I haven't got back to you all on this post. Just as I had decided to end her suffering she died anyway. Her friend seems lonely now as she only has ducks and bantams in a separate pen as company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 Sorry to hear this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela & Ken Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 So sorry to hear this too. It's so sad when we have to let them go. We once had just one lone hen after her pal died but she pined and pined so we got 2 more (and haven't stopped since!) Our lovely Dotty had to be put to sleep too. We didn't know what was wrong with her - we were horrified as well as upset to think it might be Marek's or Avian Flu but none of the others have had anything at all so we think it was a weakness, possibly neurological, and when we think of it the seller did say "no, I'll give you another hen which is older than that" but we loved her at first sight so took her. Perhaps she wasn't strong enough and she was on the point of lay when she died, poor love. Good luck in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
