Chicken bald back

[AlisonH]

Lottie chicken hasn't laid since summer and hasn't really been herself for a while. She's been eating ok but isn't eating as much recently but is now waddling and sits hunched up in the run. When she's out free ranging she seems herself but today she has a very bloated tummy.

I've had a feel round and I can't feel any eggs so I don't think she's egg bound and she was wormed a couple of months ago.

Very worried! Any suggestions?

[Egluntyne]

Sounds like peritonitis. I would take her to a vet.

[AlisonH]

Thank you, Ive got her booked in for tomorrow morning.

[Egluntyne]

Good luck x

[AlisonH]

Sadly, Lottie has had to be put to sleep. Although she seemed a good weight it was actually all fluid build up and the vet said it was classic peritonitis.

 

Poor Charlie is now left on her own and hasn't come out of the coop since we got back.

[Egluntyne]

That's a shame, but in my experience treating peritonitis is futile as it always comes back, so I reckon you have done the right thing.

[The Dogmother]

Sorry to hear that, but Egluntyne is right.

 

I'd get your lone chick a couple of friend sooner rather than later - they tend to pine if left on their own.