Has anyone got any advice about my Brahma hen.She was very poorly about three weeks ago,I took her to the vets who diagnosed a chest infection,and added that she was quite bad,but we could start her on antibiotics,she had an injection,followed by Baytril 2.5% orally for one week.Next check up she had really improved,and after more Baytril she had a check up yesterday,and there was no sign of an infection ( the vet looked quite surprised).The problem now is that she is very reluctant to stand up.She can stand,and walk for a short distance,but she easily loses balance or just plonks herself down.She's preening,eating,drinking and looks quite well.She stays in our house at night,and I''ll try putting her in the outdoor tortoise pen during the day so that she's not pestered by cockerels( one in particular,Julian,is quite in love with her,and will sit beside her all day,quite besotted and looking very worried.Is the anything I can give her ,or do for her,or is she likely to recover as we do after flu for example.We've come this far,and I won't give up on her now.
Brahma won't stand up
- Thread starter jackie57
- Start date
chrismahon
Well-known member
Have you given her anything to restart her gut flora Jackie57? Baytril destroys the flora and 48 hours after the course finishes the gut needs to be activated otherwise she can't digest food properly. She won't have any energy to stand. We use probiotic natural yoghurt with four good bacterial cultures. Some varieties only have one. She only needs a teaspoon of it. Even better order some Beryl's tonic. It claims to have hundreds of cultures and arrives special delivery with an ice bag, so you must be in to take the package to keep it cool. We've used that as a general pick-up for our flocks, with success I add.
Hi Jackie. You didn't say how old she is, if she's getting on a bit there may be something internal that has gone amiss. Brahmas are heavy birds and I expect the weight on her legs is more exhausting than it would be for a smaller hen. When was she last wormed? If she's not been done with Flubenvet recently, an infestation may also be pulling her down and hindering her recovery. I agree with Chris about trying probiotics, and Beryl's yogurt for hens has had some good reviews. Obviously the Baytril helped, but if there's a secondary problem I expect you wouldn't want her to have any more antibiotics.
As you will know, chickens always try to hide illness, so whatever this is may have been going on for longer than you realised, and consequently be more serious. Probably all you can do now is to make her comfortable, as you are doing, and wait and see how she gets on. Poor Julian, what a sweetie!
As you will know, chickens always try to hide illness, so whatever this is may have been going on for longer than you realised, and consequently be more serious. Probably all you can do now is to make her comfortable, as you are doing, and wait and see how she gets on. Poor Julian, what a sweetie!
Thanks Chrismahon and Marigold for your advice,I'll definitely start her on probiotic yoghurt and try ordering Beryl's tonic on line,I've never seen it on sale in shop at all.Marigold,the hen is approx. 2 years old, and all the rest of my flock were wormed with Flubenvet whilst she was sick.Our vet advised not to worm her at this time whilst she was on medication,I'll start her worming regime now.I'll carry on with TLC and gentle physio along with yoghurt/tonic,will persevere as long as she improves and gets no worse.Oh! forgot to say, on Monday the vet also gave her an anti-inflammatory injection, not sure what he's got in mind there.I'll keep you updated,fingers crossed!!
Hi,
Poorly chicken still not keen to walk around, but seems no worse. Bought 'Rachels' organic Bio-live yoghurt yesterday. Offered this and she scoffed everything in the dish. Beryl's tonic arrived this morning, one sachet, enough to dose 12 chickens. I presume that this is a one off dose as it all has to be used as soon as it's opened, will it hurt to treat 11 other recently acquired chickens instead of just throwing it away? Has anyone got any suggestions as to tempting food that will help put some weight back on as she's turning her beak up at layers pellets. I think I'll leave the Flubenvet in case it has any adverse effect on Beryl's tonic. I'm just going to take her over to visit Julian the cockerel, as I can't watch his poor miserable little face any longer.
Poorly chicken still not keen to walk around, but seems no worse. Bought 'Rachels' organic Bio-live yoghurt yesterday. Offered this and she scoffed everything in the dish. Beryl's tonic arrived this morning, one sachet, enough to dose 12 chickens. I presume that this is a one off dose as it all has to be used as soon as it's opened, will it hurt to treat 11 other recently acquired chickens instead of just throwing it away? Has anyone got any suggestions as to tempting food that will help put some weight back on as she's turning her beak up at layers pellets. I think I'll leave the Flubenvet in case it has any adverse effect on Beryl's tonic. I'm just going to take her over to visit Julian the cockerel, as I can't watch his poor miserable little face any longer.
chrismahon
Well-known member
Treat them all Jackie, it will do them all good. I wouldn't worry too much about weight gain at the moment. That will come in time. Mealworms are good.
You could try hulled sunflower seeds, also hard boiled egg mashed up, or scrambled in the microwave, are very nourishing.
