help my hen is ill

[mark]

Hi, I have lost 3 chickens so far this year and all showed the same symptoms. I have found another showing the same symptoms this morning, Symptoms are sitting alone with eyes closed when she does move very slow movements and a very dirty bum with yellow looking poo stuck to it, doesn't appear to eating either. The last one that showed these symptoms I took to the vet and he put her to sleep as said it was to do with her ovaries. I cant believe though that i can be that unlucky and get 4 with all the same problem.
If any one can give me some advice I would be very grateful as I don't want to loose another one.
Thanks

[mark]

Hi, she haas now started to discharge a creamy coloured liquid from here mouth and colour started to go from her comb, its not looking good wont even drink.
I wish vets were open 7 days a week!!! Anyone please help.

[angela]

No advice, but just feel very sorry for you and your hens. Currently we have one of our 5 black rocks in a cat carrier in the hall suffering similar symptoms. Pinkie (we named her this because she never really matured and her comb is pink) is lying down and not accepting any food or drink. It is very upsetting and as we are new to hen keeping we wonder if there is anything we can do. I thought she was egg bound, but it is more than this (possibly cancer). She will probably not last the night. All you can do is keep your hen comfortable and try to get to a poultry vet tomorrow. Good luck!

[angela]

Pinkie died shortly after my post. Very sad indeed. She did not seem to suffer a lot though. She lay on her side and passed away. I am glad we looked after her so well, but hope we have more healthy chickens in future. RIP Pinkie.

[mark]

I am so sorry to hear about pinkie, I am sure she was very well cared for and had a lovely life with you. Its so upsetting though they become part of the family. Matilda is still with us but dont hold out much hope now still not eating or drinking, I just dont want her to suffer anymore than she has to.

[happychicks]

Hi Mark

Can you take her to a vet, if possible. I dont know what is wrong with her from the description but she sounds like she needs help if she isnt eating. How old is she?

Simon

[mark]

Hi Simon, we rescued matilda at 6 months she was over ordered by the battery farmer, I have had her about 3 months. I havent taken her to vet yet she is still with us 4 days on, I am worming her and giving her vitamins at the moment. I am seringing water in to her mouth when i cant get her to drink and sometimes she will eat very small amount if you put to her mouth.
I dont want to take to vet as i know he will put her down this is what happened to our last hen. I am also treating Matilda and house for red mite and louse as I was told this can cause her symptoms, I have checked her but cant see anything but I will give anything a go if it helps.
Mark

[happychicks]

Hi Mark

I agree do anything if it helps. I treat mine monthly regardless. I am sorry I cannot be of further help but like a doctor not seeing a patient its extremely hard to diagnose a problem, health related especially, without seeing her first hand. Keep feeing her water to a point but if she doesn't get better I am affraid you may have to take further action. If she does have anything you wont want it passing on and also if she is in pain it may be for the best.

In the meantime it sounds like you are doing what is best for her now if you dont think she is in pain.

Do let us know how she gets on Mark its a hard thing to comment on.

Kindest regards

Simon

[mark]

Hi, Unfortunatly we had to end it for her it just wasn't fair, she wasn't getting better just worse. Today another has started to show same signs, there must be something but just dont know what. Before Matilda passed away we did get a another chicken keeper to inspect her and he couldn't find any mite or lice and said there was no obvious sighs of anything.
It is a real puzzle but starting to worry me now incase i loose all my girls.
Mark

[happychicks]

Hi Mark

So sorry to hear of your loss and sometimes keeping hens is upsetting when they go and especially without reason.

All I can advice you to do is to keep an eye on the others. It may have been just a one off.

Thanks for letting us know and once again sorry for your loss.

Kindest regards

Simon