Mrs_B Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 (edited) Hello! I wondered on people's thoughts. Our hen Big Sister had some laying issues, we gave her an implant which worked for nearly 7 months and couldn't have asked for a better outcome, then we gave her another when the other ran out but lasted less than 2 months which was disappointing. After a few weeks now, she starting to lay yolk outside her eggs, and I am concerned about egg peritonitis...as she's got yolk down her back - she's being seen at the vets tomorrow evening, but I wonder if I should try another implant? Does anyone have experience of having a few done? Do they become less effective? Big Sister is doing well in herself, saw yolk over the weekend so going to have her checked tomorrow with the vet who's very knowledgeable, but not sure if another implant is useful if the last only worked for 2 months. Hmm! I've not been well myself (severe morning sickness seems to be never ending) so not been on here much for that reason. Thanks as always x Edited April 22, 2015 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 Mrs B so sorry to hear of your difficulties, but sadly have no advice to give, not experienced this with my pekins I had wondered where you had been......thinking holiday like beantree You were on my mind has I've hatched again and the 3 weeks flashed by and 8 babies hatched from sun through to mon! The new life and time passing made me think of you and your pregancy. Sorry about the morning sickness I used to find nibbling on a ginger biscuit before putting a foot out of the bed covers helped You have my sympathy. Mine always passed after 16 wk mark Hopefully somebody will have advice for Big sister Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted April 17, 2015 Author Share Posted April 17, 2015 Hello mimi Your post really cheered me up! Soooo exciting to see you've hatched some chicks! Ahhh fab news I have booked Big Sister in to be spayed on Wednesday; the vet and her colleague spoke about her at great length, and said they think this would be the best option with her issues. And I agree - I am able to go ahead at this moment in time, it's £200 - so expensive but OH and I have thought it's the cost of two implants, so we could keep trying with more and end up spending a fortune which we don't have and not knowing how long they'll last. Big Sister is our little fighter and has a special place in our hearts (I know we shouldn't have favourites!!) and we just want this problem solved. Vet did warn that if they go in and find issues with lesions for example they may have to stop, but her and the colleague are incredible and so knowledgeable with poultry I trust them to do what's best. The one vet refers to her as her 'favourite chicken' hehe Sickness is a bit better - I think! Living off of ice lollies and Lucozade Sport which seem to help (and little snacks like biscuits!) x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Sickness is a bit better - I think! Living off of ice lollies and Lucozade Sport which seem to help (and little snacks like biscuits!) Sooooooo glad hear your sickness is improving Biscuits are good Great that you have a chicken savy and supportive vet Now you have made the decision, you can just move forward Very best wishes for Big Sister on weds and please let us know how it goes Re cute fluffies, they are growing amazingly fast I will get No 1 son to help me post some more pics and maybe even a video Keep watching hatching and raising chicks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Just wanted to wish you all the best for Big Sister on Wednesday and I do hope the morning sickness gives you a break soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 Thank you so much both! Big Sister was dropped off this afternoon for surgery tomorrow morning...I can't relax, though I am trying! The vets text me at 9pm saying she's settled in in her kennel. Will update tomorrow - thank you again x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 Big Sister died on the operating table - when they opened her up, it wasn't pretty and she had a massive abcess on the verge of bursting. Her heart stopped, they tried CPR but decided to do the kindest thing and let her go. Absolutely beside myself - devastated isn't the word. Worse is that Lady had a woodle on her this morning and couldn't even jump in and out of the WIR when they were FR. Her abdomen is very squishy and swollen - so when I go to the vets to discuss Big Sister at 5, I hope they can help Lady, too I'm so sad right now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Oh bless you, I had the same with my beloved princess layer. She had the implant but only lasted a few weeks post implant. Your a fantastic chicken mum and you honestly couldn't have done any more for your girl. Princess layer was my first hard working ex cage fighter and I was beside myself when she died. I really don't think I would put my girls or myself through that again. If one of them developer EP or the like then I may try antibiotics but that's as far as I would go I'm sorry to say. Sleep tight little one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Mrs B I'm so sorry to hear about Big Sister. No one could have done more for her than you did. Just remember that for her it was just going to sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 Thank you both, really means a lot. I went to the vets and turns out the abscess was actually a follicle on her ovary which was 'black, enlarged and ready to burst' - sounds awful and I am just thankful she never experienced any pain from that bursting inside. She had liver problems which I treated some time ago, and it seems the meds worked fixing it (although some scarring remains) which was interesting to know. As for Lady, she is indeed full of fluid, but not 100% the reason why, she's staying over the vets for further investigation as they do tests there and my vet is on call tonight so will be looking after her. She took fluid from her and it was thickish and yellow - I'm mortified - she was fine yesterday! Poor girl. My vet reassured me that I have done nothing wrong and 99% of chicken owners she's met wouldn't have done what I've done for my girls. Just glad I have found a decent vet! gavclojak - it's really nice to know you understand from the special hen point of view. Big Sister felt like the life and heart of my chickens, very strange feeling now - not that I don't love my other girls, but there's definitely a different bond with certain animals that you get. I've learnt so much about EP and that part of the body that I feel like I have more knowledge to spot certain things now at least - I think I'd try one implant but if it doesn't last long wouldn't keep going. The first implant Big Sister had lasted 6 months which was great and I am thankful for that! Thank you again x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I will be keeping everything crossed for lady xx keep us updated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Really sorry to hear about Big Sister and now Lady too. Hopefully the vets will be able to investigate and manage it, whatever the find to be the cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Ah I'm so sorry to read this update I was thinking of you today I felt a strong bond with Monty my cockerel and was devastated when he had to be PTS It was always him and me keeping the gaggle of naughty girlies in check I still miss him. I guess some just have a special place in our hearts You are amazingly devoted to your hens, especially when problems arise, your vet is totally right! You did all you could RIP Big Sister. XXX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Only just caught up with this post, so sorry to hear about Big Sister and to read that Lady might be poorly too. It sounds like you do the very best for your girls and that you also have a fantastic vet. I have my fingers crossed for Lady xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted April 23, 2015 Author Share Posted April 23, 2015 Ah thank you for the messages It means a lot when people understand!! Chickens are amazing characters - the vet nurse I saw today was gutted about Big Sister and said sorry to me, she left quite an impression at the vets bless her. Mimi - she was my little 'side kick' also, it's so difficult when we have such a bond with them Lady has been doing OK, abdomen is still full of fluid and she's waddling, though she's home now. I am treating her at home as she was stressing too much at the vet kennels and they were worried about that affecting her recovery - so she's on three different meds, one to clear up the fluid, the other to help her flush through (she had a bit of a back up in her crop as food was struggling to get through because of the fluid on the abdomen yesterday it seems) and Baytril as the antibiotic. Think it's EP based on the fluid colour and consistency, so hoping the meds work otherwise don't think she'll make it which is difficult to admit, so fingers crossed! She's in the big dog crate in my chicken shed as she can't even get up the coop steps with her flock She's eating, drinking and seems very with it, so with that in mind, hope she can fight on... Thank you again everyone xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Only just seen this post. So sorry about Big Sister and rooting for Lady. They break into our hearts and leave such a mark. I still miss Pob/Autumn to this day. Thankfully I have some pictures and memories. However, having kept budgies and canaries from a young age, I know birds are so delicate to treat and sometimes the kindest is to not try to hard. However, we love them and don't want them to suffer. Keep us updated on Lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 Thank you, PixieDust Just a little update - Lady recovered very well on the meds and she seemed OK for a short while, but last week I noticed her tum seemed a little squidgy again, so back to the vets for a check and some Frusol. It's been a week now on the meds and she seems no better which I am surprised about (maybe it's her heart?) lots of sitting and spent this afternoon in the coop. Will see how she is in the morning...sigh! I do feel a bit deflated about keeping chickens at the moment, even though I know I do all I can x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 I know that deflated feeling when things just aren't working out but we can only do our best and keep hoping. Keeping everything crossed that Lady is a bit better in the morning x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Hope she keeps well.you are having a bad run, fingers crossed things will improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted May 23, 2015 Author Share Posted May 23, 2015 Thank you so much both x Claireabella - it's so hard when we love our girls so much. Hope you're doing OK x Sadly Lady was PTS this morning, I tried injecting antibiotic to help over a few days as well as the Frusol, but she got worse and probably had a tumor or serious heart problem, I know it was the kindest thing to do, but very sad (left the vets shaking and in tears, tried to be strong but broke down). Two chooks in a month is very deflating to say the least! But both aren't suffering anymore and the vets were brilliant. Going to revamp the WIR and join the four remaining girls together in the wooden coop, should help lift my mood on keeping chooks hopefully. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Sorry to hear your news Mrs B. But you definitely did the right thing, and have the right plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Sorry to hear it Keep busy and spoil your other girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 I'm so sorry to hear that Mrs B. It is always such a hard decision but you did the right thing for Lady. Sleep tight little one xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 A hard decision to make but you know you will have done the best for them both. Sending you lots of hugs xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
