Solitary chicken - need advice

[Frankie Dicken]

A couple of weeks ago one of my three hens, Pippin, died despite a course of antibiotics. For some time she had been laying soft shells depite readily available crushed egg shells, oyster shell and grit. I had also cut treats so she would eat more layers pellets. Willow, who had Previously laid well, produced a soft shell very occasionally, but also two weeks ago started laying soft shells or not at all, and has a bare tummy, slightly red, which I have treat with cream.

 

I'm now really worried about her as she has slowed down, spends her day under the tree hunched up. I learned from the forum that red mite could cause these symptoms but I had thorough cleaned the coop and dusted it

with Diatom recently. Nevertheless, I repeated the process , checking all cracks for signs using a White cloth to check for blood - none anywhere. There is no blood on Willow or on Rosie.

 

I can take Willow to the vet next week but no appointments available this weekend. In any case ,antibiotics are all they offer and they did not help Pippin.

I have taken all advice I've been given. At a loss as to what to do........no one seems to know what the problem is.

 

Help!!!!

 

Frankie

 

 

,

[Pottage]

I've had a similar problem with Lola. She was laying a lot of softies that were breaking inside her, and subsequently caused a very bad infection. You may want to think about changing your vet to one that specialises in birds - I have been through several before I found one that is really, really good with birds and I now drive for an hour and 15 minutes each way to see him.

 

Our initial vet gave her Lola an implant to stop her laying, which worked in stopping egg production but she was still very poorly. We tried another local vet that said we should put her to sleep. Idiot.

 

After visiting her new vet, Clive, last week Lola was given a variety of different drugs and had blood and poo tests and a vent swab. It turns out she has been suffering from a Baytil resistant form of e Coli Before the test results were back, Clive prescribed her the antibiotic Noroclav (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) and a steroid, prednisolone. These have worked wonders and after well over a month of thinking Lola would die she finally seems to have turned the corner and is getting better. Lola also has Metacam, a pain killer and anti-inflammatory similar to ibuprofen, which would help Willow feel more comfortable if nothing else.

 

Needless to say, none of this has been cheap, but I love her so much and I couldn't bear to see her suffering so I have done everything and anything I could to get her better.

 

Clive mentioned there are natural ways to stop laying if you can't afford an implant or sterilisation, such as filling the nest with eggs (he said about 15 dummy eggs should do it!) or starving them for a couple of days (I dont think I could bear to do that to my girls though). Also changing their feed to something like mixed corn can help stop laying, but it sounds to me like your girl has some sort of infection that will need to be addressed first. A hot, red belly is a certain sign of an internal infection (Lola had this) and treating the skin wont help. If your vet only offers Baytrill and you are unable to seek a second (or even 3rd!) opinion, perhaps a higher dose of that may help?

[Pottage]

Maybe if you post your location we could help you with bird savvy vets in your area?

[Frankie Dicken]

Many thanks for your advice. Willow has perked up in the past two days. If she has any further trouble, which I think is likely, I will get Baytril again from the vet or ask for Noroclav. Unfortunately, Pippin was too far gone before I could get an appointment to get her started on Treatment.

Regards'

Frankie Dicken

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[auntielizzie]

Definitely look out for your nearest chicken vet (I have to travel about 15miles for mine); it's definitely worth it. There's a world of difference between a vet who doesn't know chickens and one who does.