Solitary chicken - need advice

[mrsatroy]

When I went to check the girls and Francis yesterday I noticed my bluebell Hannah crouched down, all puffed up and her comb looking very dull, and floppy. I knew at once she wasn't right and on checking her further her vent was all dirty and there was whitish looking droppings leaking from her vent. I took her to the vet who said she is most likely egg bound as her abdomen is very swollen. He gave her antibiotics, hormone injection and advised to give her warm baths. He said if she hadn't passed an egg in the next 24 hrs it would be best to PTS. We have given her warm baths and massaged her around the abdomen but she still isn't well. She is inside in a dog crate in my hall as I didn't want her getting cold after her warm bath. She is standing in the temp nest box I've set up and does appear to be straining. I've had to go to work today so she's been left home alone. I don't want her to suffer but I want to make sure too I've done all I can for her.

[LunaKiw1]

Didn't want to ignore your post. I think you've done as much as you can for them oment ie the warm bath and gentle massage. She may perk up but if you do have to make the decision to have her PTS don't beat yourself up or feel guilty - we can only do so much and sometimes it is best to not prolong any pain that they make be in but not show obviously. Hugs ...

[mrsatroy]

Thanks so much - I've been felling so guilty as I wonder now had she been sick for a while and I just didn't notice. The vet said she was quite thin and when I felt her, her breast bone is very prominent. she isn't a touchy feely hen so it was actually the first time I got a good feel of her I always thought she was one of my bigger healthier hens. The vet did say hybrids tend to expend lots of energy in making eggs and this would explain her being thin. I feel now I need to give the others something to give them a boost. She was one of my first hens and is a very pretty bluebell. I know hybrids don't live long, she's just over 2 1/2 years old.

[Egluntyne]

There is an article in the FAQ about egg binding. ~Click~.

[mrsatroy]

Poor little girl is gone to a better place. She had only gotten worse today so my husband put her out of her misery.

Feeling very sad now, she's the second girl I've lost. I adore having my hens but as with all animals the hard part is when we have to let them go.

[Guest]

Just my opinion but vets always say hens are underweight, I can only think they are taught the weight of table birds rather than layers. My girls are twice the size of commercial hens (FR and caged) eat for England but vets always say they are thin.

 

I am glad that your hubby was able to end your girls suffering, you did all you could for her and she must have been miserable.

 

I have taken one of my girls to the vet to be PTS today and came away fuming as the vet didn't seem to know anything about hens at all, in future I will get my farming buddies to finish off my hens for me thus saving them the trauma of a visit to a vet.

[mullethunter]

Well done for making the right decision mrsatroy and well done to hubby for doing the deed. It's always awful to lose a pet but if she was suffering you've made things better.

[mrsatroy]

Thanks for your kind words. I am glad I was able to stop her suffering but it is always hard to lose a friend who has added to your life. And she did add to my life.

[LunaKiw1]

You and OH did the right thing - you're lucky he felt able to help out. We have friends who always joke about our hens going in the oven and we keep explaining that hybrid hens that lay eggs prolifically are really skinny as that's where all their energy goes and wouldn't make a good roast at all. Although you'll always remember her with her own little individual personality. I'm sure your other girlies and maybe some news one in due course will help you move on.