Chicken bald back

[daisyisarobot]

Hi everyone, We've had our ex bats since July so that makes them approx 2 1/2. One of our girls, Luigi, has always been the slowest & clumsiest of the six but over the past couple of weeks she's become very slow, she now never runs, falls asleep out in the open & barely stirs when we stroke or pick her up. She's also looking very puffy (not sure how else to put it!) and she's drinking a lot more than the others.

 

Does this ring any bells? My boyfriend thinks she's just old & the heat is getting to her but she's declining rapidly & I know I shouldn't admit it but she is my favourite girl. Such a sweet soul!

 

I'd really appreciate any help/advice. Thank you

[Chickabee]

Sounds like she's old and poorly. Sorry . Is she eating? When did she last lay?

[Pottage]

I've had this with one of my ex batts, although she's a lot younger at 18 months. My girl turned out to have egg peritonitis, which she's being treated for now. I wouldn't have said 2 1/2 was old for a chicken.

[Pottage]

Id get her to the vet sooner rather than later, personally. Lola was drinking loads too because she was boiling hot from an infection.

[Olly]

It sounds to me as if it could be peritonitis. Two and a half is a good age for a hybrid - they can live much longer but two/three is a good average lifespan.

[gavclojak]

My ex commercial girl has been treated for it, thank goodness she seems ok at the moment after a course of antibiotics and anti inflammatory's. I am glad I took her when I did as the outcome may have been different if not. They drained off some nasty coloured fluid from her tummy and that was what was making her uncomfortable.

 

Thank goodness she has stopped laying otherwise it's very difficult to manage

 

I really would get her seen by a chicken savvy vet.

[Beantree]

Without checking her crop and poos it's difficult to say. She's old yes, but not that old. 'Puffy' could be due to internal fluid buildup for whatever reason. Is her abdomen hot and firm?

 

Nothing you can treat whatever way. She needs a vet.

[daisyisarobot]

Sounds like she's old and poorly. Sorry . Is she eating? When did she last lay?

 

She's eating but not very interested in corn. She's always been more interested in our food! Cheeky minx. I don't think she's ever laid funnily enough.

[daisyisarobot]

Thanks all. Her feathers are puffed out rather than her actual body (she feels quite thin & very light) She didn't leave the 5am this morning with the rest so I'm going to check on her now & get a vets appointment.

[daisyisarobot]

At the vets now. She's much worse

[Beantree]

Could be just worms. When was she wormed with Flubenvet?

 

Could be sour crop.

 

Could be a digestive impaction. Worms can cause that.

 

Then there are the more obscure things like cankers and tumours.

[daisyisarobot]

Sadly it was a tumour in her abdomen & Luigi was put to sleep. I'm devastated.

 

Going home to hug the remaining four

[mollyripkim]

Oh what a shame, so sorry"

[Pottage]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that

 

Take comfort in the fact you gave her a lovely year of freedom that she would never have known without you xxx

[daisyisarobot]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that

 

Take comfort in the fact you gave her a lovely year of freedom that she would never have known without you xxx

 

Thank you. She did have a very lovely & thanks to Omlet goodies, luxurious year with us.

[Luvachicken]

Very sorry about your girlie.

It sounds like she had a lovely life with you and you did all you could for her xxx

[Space Chick]

So sorry to read this. But one year cage free is a privilege that most battery hens don't get to enjoy, so be comforted by the fact she knew freedom and love.

[coco]

So sorry, at least she got to live as a chicken and had a year of freedom with you

[daisyisarobot]

Thanks all. Feels very strange to just have four left but they will be spoilt rotten!

[mullethunter]

Oh no that's so sad At least she wasn't feeling poorly for too long.