Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[acw295]

One of my Pekins had to be PTS on Saturday she very suddenly went hunched and listless. Rushed her to the emergency vet and there was nothing they could do.

 

She was approx 1 year old, had recently been broody and lost a bit of weight as a result but in the last couple of weeks had looked fine, eating and drinking as usual and no unusual poo. Her comb was pinky red, not as red as when she was in lay but not pale, although was a little floppy.

 

Vet confirmed no lice or parasites of any type on her at all and she had been wormed about 8 weeks ago, not egg bound (hadn't returned to lay after the broody spell yet). Crop was full of food so she certainly hadn't starved but vet did remark she was too thin - which I did know but had put down to the broodiness and as she was eating normally again I thought she'd be ok.

 

Vet did think it was possible she had eaten something she shouldn't have - but couldn't say what, although did think they could feel something that was possibly metallic in her crop.

 

Am now anxiously watching the others in case they all go downhill too

 

I feel so guilty that I did something wrong, we are new to chickens (we got our 4 Pekins in October last year). I'm just not sure what else I could have done to prevent this

[Luvachicken]

I'm sorry you lost one of your pekins

They are such little cuties aren't they.

 

Chickens hide illness very well, so try not to feel bad about not spotting your pekin's illness sooner.

I have had chickens for 5 years now and I still find it hard to know if they are ill or not and I'm still learning new things about them all the time.

 

What you need to remember is that you took her to the vets when you needed to.