Chicken bald back

[JellyBean2605]

One of my girls has been sick with what I know believe was sterile peritonitis. We took her to the vet who gave antibiotics and it has seemed to have improved (the fluid around her abdomen has reduced a lot) however at the same time her crop bunged up. She brought up a pile of foul smelling brown sludge and I started treating with ACV and allowing small portions of food due to how thin she was, two days later the same happened again so we helped her bring it up. Now it's happened again, she's head bobbing, gurgling and not eating, I can't give her her antibiotics or any ACV as it would just sit there again. I don't know what else to do, we're still keeping her in but my baby is due in a couple of weeks and I can't keep her in then. I'm worried that if I put her back outside she'll just starve to death. Is it worth taking her back to the vet?

[Ursula123]

As the vet has seen her recently maybe give them a call explain the symptoms and ask for advice, our vet is always happy to call me back if I have a query, might be worth a go.

[Olly]

Sorry to say this, but you may have reached the end of the road. Going by your signature, your girls must be around 2.5 years or older. While hybrids can live for years, an awful lot of them fade away between two and three years ... it sounds as if you've done everything you can.

 

I'm sorry to sound so gloomy but with a baby on the way you're going to have your hands full enough. I'd see if the vet can suggest anything else but my personal view would be not to put the hen through any more treatment.

[The Dogmother]

I agree with Olly; I haven't seen the bird myself, but it doesn't sound good.

 

I'm sorry

[mullethunter]

I know it's hard to do and not sure I'd be able to take the advice myself but I'm afraid I agree with Olly and DM.

[gavclojak]

If you want to try then maybe give her a course or *nystatin/daktarin* not licensed for you on poultry. It's an anti fungal and will work on sour crop.

I have used it successfully with Sourcrop.

I have had a hen with EP and went through the tummy draining/hormone implant etc but I have to say I wouldn't do it again. As hard as it sounds I would follow the advice above in future.

[mullethunter]

I did successfully treat sour crop with daktarin but it was a much less severe case than your poor girl has.

[JellyBean2605]

Thanks for all the advice, as it is she took matters into her own hands and died. My concern now is for our other chicken as shes now on her own for the first time ever.

[Luvachicken]

You did all you could for her.

 

It's hard to know what to do with your lone girl knowing that your baby is due soon.

Normally we would all just rush out and get more to keep her company but you might not have enough time to get the intros done and supervise as often as you would like with a new baby.

 

Let us know what you decide xx

[JellyBean2605]

I don't think I'll get anymore just yet, I'll see how Henrietta gets on, if she's in obvious distress I might consider rehoming her. Right now she's confused but otherwise seems fine which is very sad

My OH has taken it very badly, Ariadne was his chicken and he was very fond of her. We'll have to consider if we'll get anymore after Henrietta goes, might leave until baby is bigger and can help out.

[gavclojak]

Ahhh good luck with everything jellybean, we all wish you ou well.