baffled by ill pullet

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Blue

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I've trawled through other threads, and online chicken health advice .... but nothing quite matches what's up with my young hen.

She is about 8 months old, not yet started laying.
Today when we went to feed & water, she was lying just outside the pop-hole.

I picked her up, she only open one eye & was not very responsive. her skin wasnt very warm so I held her close to warm her up while I found a cage to bring her indoors ( :roll: )
she will not stand up, but hutches her legs as if to make herself more comfortable when lying down.
she had a tiny nick on her comb (think one of the others might have stepped on her) but no other injuries.
her crop is not swollen, or obviously impacted.

I've given her syringed water, Baytril and glucose solution.

a few hours after she first came in, she was gaping slightly and sounded slightly wheezy. I picked her up and she kind of retched. I've massaged her crop & held her upside down .. over time she has brought up a fair amount of undigested - or not quite digested food (it looks like pig meal, if that helps!)
she has then accepted more glucose solution, but occassionally makes a little spluttery noise.

she is reluctant to open her eyes, and is not reacting to noise, or nosey cats sniffing her.

all the birds were given Panacur & Baytil in November (or just before?) as a coccidiosis treatment / prevention. there have been no new birds introduced.
we have an occassional visiting fox - but he can't get to them, and a fair few rats...

is there anything more I do for her?
 
no... doesnt seem to be.
she's quite small, more feathers than meat!

she is now trying to pass more from her crop/lower down. its quite thick liquid & is difficult for her to shift, even with my help.
she is breathing really deeply now, with a bit of a rattle - think this is just the wet from her (whatever you call chicken) "sick" :-)03 (sorry folks)

I really dont want to have to dispatch her, she is a lovely young bird ... but not convinced she'll be ok :(
 
well ... she made it through the night ..
but she is really not good. :(

I've syringed some more glucose solution into her, and carried outside for some occupational therapy - so she could hear the other hens & ducks. she turned her head to listen, but wouldnt open her eyes.

Not long after, she brought up all the liquid I'd given her.

could she have a blockage below the crop or something?
she's had another dose of Baytril. (its perhaps abit old, but hey)
she had a tiny poo yesterday, but nothing else from that end of things.

my parents called round to see me outside craddling the chicken saying "there, there, good girl, cough it all up!" and other such endearments, hanging her upside down and wiping her beak with a tissue!
:lol:

please help ... I dont want to lose her.
 
Hi Blue,

I have some Baytril dated end of Aug- would that be any use. its from when our d'uccle had an impacted crop.

Just a thought if it is a blockage give her some olive oil by syringe, and then massage every hour. An old remedy from a very experienced poultry keeper is to put a pea sized ball of soap down her throat. We have also tried this and it worked, but I prefer the olive oil method.

Where are you in Derbyshire, I would happily bring it over now- OR can you get to the vets tomorrow?
Sharron
 
Sharron, thats really, really kind of you ...
but dont worry - I've already given her doses of a Baytril, and the olive oil and massage.

I will phone the vets from work tomorrow, and if they recomend anything I can get it at lunch.

to be honest, I think she's dying. she is less and less responsive. :(

thanks again.
(hope you're feeling ok. maybe see you Saturday?! )
 
Oh Blue,

I am sure all your TLC and endearments are giving her some comfort. As for the beak wiping, just hope you have some tissues left for tears on here.......

(I am fine, thankyou and hope to be at the show with my teenage son- Mike has slipped a disk, so he won't be driving/standing etc).

I really hope she pulls through and that you can get to the bottom of this.
 
thankyou :)

just been to wake her up for some more glucose solution...
she's turned herself round, but is not doing much more now than breathing

still cant identify the symptoms though ...
 
Oh hon,
Don't really know what to say, it's the worst situation to be in.... I am not religious in any way but I will say a wee prayer for your little lady tonight.... But it doesn't sound good...
It may just we ll be that the gunk had already gotten into her bloodstream, did you try the natural youghurt thingi?? Would she take any....
Anyhoo, my thoughts are with you tonight as having been there relatively recently and am currently battling to save another I can sympathise....
Take care
Aileen xx
 
So sorry to hear about your poorly girl, I hope she made it through another night. :cry:
 
Hi there,

If she has an impacted crop get some white maggots down her. I know it sounds gross but they eat their way through whatever is rotting in thecrop and blocking the exit. If she wont eat them by herself you will have to hand feed with tweezers, they have to be alive so dont squeeze too hard.Feed at night,at least a teaspoon full and wait overnight. Olive oil mixed with some yoghurt goes down well, loosens whatever is in there and the bacteria in the yoghurt could help with digestion. My vet gave me a tip that she learnt from the old poultry farmers. Red wine. Give her a little bit and often. If she has Sour crop the tannins in the wine kill off the bad stuff.

I do hope she turns the corner, she sounds like she has given up. Dont let her. I have dragged some girls from the clutches of death. She needs to be kept warm, quiet and well hydrated.

GOOD LUCK and let us know how she is

Regards
Nikki
 
just to let you know...
my little feathery girl died this morning.

thanks for all your advice and sympathy,
 
oh, that's sad x
Well at least she's not struggling now.
Take heart that you did everything you could
Big Hugs from this end
A x
 
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