Dolly Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I noticed yesterday when looking out of my bedroom window, that one of my neighbour's hens is constantly gaping with her beak open and head tilting upwards. She's still doing it today but is still pottering about . While I'm not the sort to poke my nose in other people's business, I wonder if they've noticed, I can't bear to think she's suffering. I hate any sort of 'confrontation', even if its to offer help which could easily be taken the wrong way, particularly with someone I only occasionally say hello to and don't really know. I'm trying to put myself in their shoes if it was the other way round but can't decide what to do for the best. For all I know they might be treating her and feel I'm calling their animal care into question. My OH said if I did decide to say something, I could use the excuse of offering them some of my Flubenvet to try, what do you think? Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I would try by saying something along the line ...."I noticed your hen is doing this....my hen did that once and this really helped....", If you don't know them well you may make a new chicken friend or upset someone you hardly know but either way you may help a bird in distress..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I'd be inclined not to get involved Dolly. It may be a respiratory infection, an immunisation flare-up or Mycoplasma, which you could bring back to your hens. I doubt the cause is gapeworm, so if they did try your Flubenvet and it made no improvement you could get dragged into all manner of problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottage Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Oh, I wouldn't just be able to leave her suffering like that poor little thing. I'd certainly pop round - you don't need to go in their garden just have a chat on the doorstep. If it were me, I'd be really pleased that someone was looking out for the health of my chooks, even if I had already noticed and was treating them. I'd pop round and be apologetic, and say I had been watching their gorgeous hens and explain what I'd noticed. I can't see how anyone would be offended by that, unless they are a complete a-hole. I disagree with Beantree I am afraid. Whilst I am no vet, I would have thought gapeworm was far more likely than something relatively uncommon like Mycoplasma. Especially if you haven’t noticed these symptoms in any of their other birds. Anyway, if it *is* something contagious you have more likelihood of wild birds transferring it to your flock that standing on someone’s doorstep having a quick chat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 You could tell a little white lie and say something like .... " I had a hen that used to do that with its head/neck but sadly she died before I could make her better. Do you know what it is called and how to make it better in case one of my other girls gets it ? ". Let us know what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolly Posted December 14, 2014 Author Share Posted December 14, 2014 After a few days it was apparent she was getting worse and wasn't being treated, so I plucked up courage and went round with some Flubenvet (by now I was sure she had gapeworm). I wasnt sure how this would be received but couldnt watch her suffer any more, luckily they were grateful I did, as they didn't know what was wrong. I suggested mixing a tiny bit in water and giving her by mouth to start with as she probably wasnt eating and a few days later I could see her definitely improving. I know this isnt the recommended method but it was the only way to get something inside her quickly. Hopefully she'll continue to make a full recovery and alls well that ends well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Well done Dolly. And it's good to know that there are still people who will accept help in the way it's intended Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Well done on managing to talk to your neighbour and helping get the problem sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Good for you, and I bet that little hen is a lot more comfortable now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
