HELP aggressive chicken

[cd8jbr]

Having had no obvious signs of illness and eating breakfast with the others my lovely Henrietta was PTS this morning. When I looked in on them at 9.30 it was obvious she was very sick - she was using her wings for balance, was slow to respond and would fall over, breathing was fast and laboured and she looked very, very sick. The only outward sign was a dark comb. The vet checked her insides but there was nothing there, thought she might have damage 'further up' which would need an x-ray. She thought Henrietta was ill and possibly suffering so we agreed the kindest thing would be to let her go. I held her and said goodbye while she went to sleep.

 

Henrietta had 17 months of freedom, but I really wanted them all to get another summer so they could again feel the sun on their backs. I am so sorry Henrietta won't have this but my fingers are crossed for Noodle, Nugget, Dumpling and Funky.

 

Does anyone have any ideas what might have caused this? I didn't ask for a PM so I won't find out that way. I hope it wasn't anything I did, or didn't do- there's an awful lot I don't know about hens.

 

RIP Henrietta.

[mimi5]

Oh how sad and a shock for you Hugs from me, I had a similar experience in dec with my cockerel Monty and like you the only and kindest thing to do was let him be PTS. I have done all the quesioning of myself, just like you are.....you will probably never be able to know (we think Monty had Marek's, but again no PM)

 

I am sure you gave her a very happy life and you didn't let her suffer I have lost sad to say a few chickens in the 18 or so months since I started keeping chickens. They do seem quiet complex creatures and either thrive or don't, with a small window of possible opportunity to give help. I am still learning all the time.

 

Let's hope the weather improves as I am sure we and our feathered friends will benefit from some warmth and sunshine!!!

 

RIP Henrietta

[Egghead68]

I'm sorry to hear this. I am sure she had a wonderful retirement with you and she didn't suffer.

[suebee]

So sorry to hear about Henrietta. As mimi says, they're such complex creatures, and clearly, even the vet couldn't make a diagnosis. The balancing on wings sounds like Mareks, but this is just my perception. You could google it. There's lot's of information on the net to sift through. Unfortunately, without a post mortem, nothing can be known for sure. I came to the Mareks conclusion with my girl, by process of elimination, based on the symptoms. I don't know whether this has helped me or not. I couldn't have prevented her demise. It all happened too quickly. I suppose there's some comfort in that.

 

You say there's an awful lot you don't know about hens... I empathise! But neither do many vets, it seems, so don't feel bad about that. We're all on a constant learning curve!

 

It's doubtful you could have done anything. You didn't have any symptoms until the last minute. Don't blame yourself. The important thing is that you acted as soon as you saw a problem, and there was no prolonged suffering for your girl.

[cd8jbr]

Thanks for your support. I felt crying for a chicken was crazy but my vet assured me shes cried over a lot of different animals!

 

I am happy she didn't suffer, but I do miss her. I thought just the other week I was going to lose Nugget but happily she pulled through although she doesn't look happy much of the time but I think that is largely the cold, awful weather. I'm keeping a close eye on her, but can't help feeling I missed some clues from Henrietta. All I could see from her was her dark red comb and I had to put her to bed at night twice, but she was scratching and eating and then - boom - weak and unsteady and clearly very ill - that quickly. Do they hide illness to prevent the others bullying?

 

I know ex-batts don't always live very long and I have tried to give them a nice retirement but somehow not giving Henrietta another summer just seems so unfair.

[LottyJ1]

Don't feel silly about wanting to cry for one of your chooks. I have cried a little for all of my ex-batt girls that have passed. One only lasted 2 months others had 2 years of freedom. However long they have it had made a difference.

 

I am in the process of trying to save my last ex-batt who has suspected egg peritonitis. We are now on second course of antibiotics but I know as soon as she looks poorly you have to call it a day.

[cd8jbr]

Having read some more I think it's possible Henrietta had avian TB. From what I read it shows up as loss of balance and weakness.... And now Nugget is poorly (see other thread) but her symptoms are much different from Henrietta's rapid detioration. It's just a guess though...no evidence....