Luvachicken Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 I gave Queenie her bath today and then weighed her after. She only weighs just over 600g - she was weighing just under 800g. Also her comb, ears and wattles are very pale too. She looks fine otherwise and is eating and drinking, although she has been sitting around more the last couple of days I feel very sad that I have been poorly and been neglecting them lately. What can I do that's best for Queenie ? I did give her some nutridrops earlier today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 Maybe a little posh cat food, the ones in the wee tins in tesco for extra protein a little at a time might perk her up? Has she been moulting? Mine are quite disgruntled just now because of that and a couple of combs were paler than usual, think it's par for the course? A few treats with some extra calories and the TLC (which I know you provide big time) and it might help? Also, how old is she? One of my white leghorns I could swear is smaller since her moult and her comb smaller and a tiny bit paler but otherwise ok? Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 P.s. Hope you are on the mend as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted November 14, 2014 Share Posted November 14, 2014 I'd be tempted to try extra protein too. Live mealworms seem to have really helped my ex-commercial girls (if you can stomach them ). I feel awful saying and I hope it's not, but do you think she may have a blockage or impaction somewhere? They do tend to have persistent diarrhea and lose weight over time, although I'm no expert by a long shot, only my experience with my poor Fleur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 We are at the moment trying Avipro Avian Luvachicken. Working on the basis that if digestion is better they won't need more food as such. Like you we are preparing for Winter. The stuff used to be called Avipro Plus, but their products have been re-marketed now that Avipro have EU licence for their probiotic. The new Avipro Plus now contains only prebiotic, which is food for probiotics. We have had apparently good results with it mixed with probiotic yoghurt and given orally, which they enjoy. Avipro Avian contains their EU approved probiotic and the prebiotics in the Plus. So far we have only given it to sickies and await a noticeable result. If we get one we will give it to all of the birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 15, 2014 Author Share Posted November 15, 2014 Thanks everyone She did moult very badly this time. She will be 3 in March so not that old. I think I will get her some live food and order some Avipro stuff too. She is such a sweetie and always has been and I want to do my best for her. And Redsunset, I'm feeling much better thank you, just the odd mornings with tummy ache. It will be nice to be back to my old self, and back to looking after my girls properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Hi luvachicken, whilst not everyone on this forum approves I give my ladies a load of carbs in the winter. They get real porridge every day ie porridge oats with warm watery milk and mixed corn every day, pasta too if I have any . I hasten to add I dont cook the porridge I just put a load of it in a dish and add warm watery milk until it is sort of sloppy. They wolf it down. They are happy, def not skinny, so I am happy too. There are those who say a fat hen doesn't lay but you know what, my ladies are all over 5yrs old, still lay Feb to October and are never ill. My ex batts have all lived a good long life too. If this form of winter feeding ( in addition to their pellets) was good enough for poultry keepers generations ago, its good enough for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 Thanks for that sparkysmum I am taking Queenie to the vet tomorrow afternoon to see what he can do/suggest. She has not been her usual self and at one point stayed in the house by herself for a while I'm hoping he might take another x-ray as I don't think there is anything obviously wrong. I have got her some live mealworms but she'd already gone to bed, so she can have them tomorrow. And Avipro is hopefully available at the vets too. Will let you know how we get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Aww, hope she gets on ok. I know you worry and care very much for your little chooks so hope she gets clean bill of health and it's just the moult at her age that's taken it out of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Fingers crossed for Queenie. Bernadette seems very small compared to her sister at the moment (I've never weighed them) so she's had live mealworms today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fourbecameeight Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 I'm giving my new Ex-Batt girls sardines in tomato sauce to boost their protein to help feather growth. I worry that cat food would contain chicken, even the other flavoured ones. They are loving it. If you have a B & M locally they do tins for 39p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Oh sorry Luvachicken, I'd totally forgotten that Queenie had had an xray before. I'm sure that would have shown up any problems then. It's only this year that some of my girls have had a proper moult and I hadn't realised just how much it affects them. I took Amber to the vets a couple of weeks ago because she was off colour and I couldn't see anything obvious - 2 days later the run and cube was full of feathers, so I think it must make them feel awful. Fingers crossed for Queenie and I hope it goes well at the vets tomorrow xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottage Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 I ordered my last lot of avipro from here, it arrived the next day too http://www.onlinereptileshop.co.uk/reptile-products/Reptile-Medications/Vetark-Avipro-Plus-100g-5969.html#sthash.HYRak2Qw.dpbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 Thanks again for all your kind thoughts for Queenie, Sadly I don't think any Avipro or similar will do any good The vet found a small lump near her back end. He gave me 3 choices - antibiotics, PTS or further tests. I chose the antibiotics and hope to give her a chance but think her chances of survival are slim. She heartily tucked into the live mealworms though - even with the antibiotics sprinkled on them. When I get back from work after lunch each day, I will make her some porridge, sweet corn, pasta and anything else fattening I can think of. I really want her to be ok The vet did say if her weight falls below 500g she is unlikely to make it - so I will be weighing her too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Oh no, that doesn't sound too good Luvachicken. I'm sure the vet wouldn't have suggested antibiotics if there was no hope though so fingers crossed that with the excellent care you give her she might come through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 If she's eating then don't give up yet - I thought I was going to lose Crystal during the summer but didn't want to put her to sleep while she was still eager to scoff fruit. She's still going and looking much better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 Thank you mullethunter and jimnpaula. I haven't given up yet but do feel very sad for her. Fingers crossed that pigging out on lots of naughty goodies will help her. Do any of you think I should still get the avipro anyway ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Hi luvachicken, its good that she's eating. Fingers crossed. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 18, 2014 Author Share Posted November 18, 2014 Hi luvachicken, its good that she's eating. Fingers crossed. Ax You should have seen what she's just eaten A pot of live mealworms with the antibiotics on, some sweet corn, some pasta, some dry corn and garvo treats. I thought she might pop. So certainly nothing wrong with her appetite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 She's going to turn into a feathery football! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Sounds promising! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 18, 2014 Author Share Posted November 18, 2014 She's going to turn into a feathery football! Sounds promising! I do hope so. Early days though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 That sounds very promising as in my short chicken keeping life I have yet to see a chicken that's really poorly eat anything at all as they give up. The fact that she's eating that amount means that whatever the vet felt seems to not be bothering her to much at all, and chickens have no idea re lumps and bumps. If that was mine I'd be extremely hopeful at this stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 18, 2014 Author Share Posted November 18, 2014 Thanks redsunset, hopefully the antibiotics might do something and if I can get her weight up then she might be in with a chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Really hope she stays well, great that she has a good appetite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
