grahamrhind Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 It's been one of those months - going from 1 to 3 hens and now it's almost back to one again. Nelsona, my oldest, has lasted quite some time after stopping with laying (she's a commercial breed and my experience with others of the same type is that they die young and usually very soon after they stop laying). This morning it was clear she was in respiratory distress. She walked OK but she had a rattle in her throat. Within the hour she was lying and had problems breathing. I can't bring myself to dispatch her and we don't have any poultry vets in the vicinity, and I didn't expect her to reach lunchtime. But now, 17:00, she's still alive. Still in distress and with symptoms that match bird flu in my manual, but she is also flapping around and having muscle spasms that I can't find an explanation for. I picked he up off the floor of the run and separated he into an ex cat litter tray, and she flapped and flung herself around until she was out of the tray and again prone on her side on the floor. I was wondering if she was trying to get herself back into a position where she could breath more easily. Any ideas? There's no hope for Nelsona but I like to learn to be ready if things like this happen again, and I would like her to be as comfortable as I can make her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Really sorry to say, but it doesn't sound good. Even without chicken savvy vets, I would still get her to one or find someone to end her suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Yes I agree...dispatch her or find a vet asap even if they are not chicken savvy they can do the job. She is clearly suffering bless her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamrhind Posted June 13, 2017 Author Share Posted June 13, 2017 Where I am we don't have out of hours vet services. When my cat had multiple organ failure on a Sunday evening it took us 18 hours to get her to an "emergency" appointment. I used to have a neighbour who said she was willing to dispatch the chickens if required, but she's moved. With the stunning speed that hens come down with ailments, planning for 18 hours ahead is difficult. They come down with ailments at a surprising speed ... and recover from them ditto. When I started this thread Nelsona was splayed across the floor, eyes closed, gasping, looking more like a dead chicken that most dead chickens. One hour later she was back on her feet, looking dazed but no longer gasping. This morning her comb is redder, she's eating again - still hunched up and a bit dopey, but almost back to normal. For an elderly lady, she's tough! Just goes to show .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Well I didn't expect that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Same here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Maybe she had a mini stroke, I would find it impossible to dispatch myself. I was speaking to a neighbour with chickens and one of her hens was suffering with EP it sounded like, her OH was away so she bashed it on head with a chimney pot to put it out of misery. She said it was quick though as said don't think I could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
