Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[HennyPenny59]

A couple of months ago Ruby, my little Warren who is 2.5 years old, started to show signs of being unwell.

 

She began to pass small amounts of pale yellow droppings which had no form to them. They were not frothy or runny but had more of a thin paste like consistency.

 

She was also showing signs of depression, her appetite went, and she wanted to be in the coop all day.

 

I took her to the vet promptly. He said he could see no obvious physical signs, but that she did have a temperature.

 

He gave her a shot of long acting penicillin, and then told me to come back in 3 days so he could give her another shot, which I did.

 

She was still quite unwell for a number of days, but then gradually picked up, and to cut a long story short she seemed to make a full recovery and I reintroduced her to the flock, and she has been absolutely fine for a couple of months.

 

Anyway, yesterday I noticed she was very quiet, and this morning it seems like the problem has come back. There are small amounts of pale yellow droppings in the coop, she doesn't want to leave the coop, she has no appetite, and I can see her straining to pass something.

 

I am taking her to the vet again very soon, but I was wondering if any chicken experts here might be able to cast some light on what could be going on with her.

[Grandmashazzie]

Hi Henny Penny didn't want to read and run.You may have seen vet by now.I am not an expert though I think it is usually a bad sign when they retreat and sit hunched up.If she is straining could she be egg bound.The course I did suggested putting hen in basin of warm water to see if that would help pass egg.I haven't had to do it yet.

[Luvachicken]

How is she today ?

[HennyPenny59]

Sadly I had Ruby PTS this morning.

 

She went to the Vet Saturday where she had a pencillin injection, and I took her back this morning as there had been no improvement. She sat on the Vets table for 30 min whilst we chatted, eyes shut and looking very poorly.

 

The vet palpated her abdomen and said her liver felt hard, then she noticed her eyes were a little jaundiced. She suggested another penicillin injection, but something told me her time had come and after about 15mins deliberation I decided to have her PTS ... I felt so sad

 

So there you go, I only have one hen left now out of my four and have got to decide what to do.

 

They break your hearts, dont they.

[mullethunter]

That's very sad HennyPenny but you definitely did the right thing. Perhaps get a couple of younger girls to go with your remaining one?

[HennyPenny59]

Yes, I will definitely get her some friends. There is no way I would keep her as a lone chicken, and I wouldnt rehome her. There will probably be some problems with integration as she is my feisty girl. I dont think I will have hybrids again, as they are here for too short a time, and might opt for buff orps or cochins. It will take me a few days to get over Ruby.

[Luvachicken]

Sorry to read about Ruby.

You did the very best for her that you could.

It is difficult to come to those decisions but you did what was right.

Sending you a hug xxx