Daffodil's digestion

chrismahon

chrismahon

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Daffodil is our last remaining hybrid and is somthing of a house hen as she just doesn't fit in with the others, preferring to stay in the house. She's been ill for a long time with swollen feet but, despite them never improving, has brightened up and was laying well.

She wanted to mix with the others but her attempts to integrate have failed and she just stopped eating much. She also stopped laying and is now back in the house. She developed 'explosive' sour crop -poo literally blasting out of her. Epsom salts and she was fine for a day. But it started again and she responded to a double dose. But her poo has been getting more and more watery over the last month. She is now drinking huge amounts and is even taking water into her beak to dribble over her pellets before eating them!

She won't eat in the Orchard at all now and comes in at night with an empty crop and gorges herself. In the morning her drinker is empty and the cage base contains 4 thoroughly soaked squares of kitchen roll. We think her kidneys are failing, or is there something else? Food passes through her so fast it doesn't digest properly so despite the huge intake in the evening she is losing weight. She eats a lot of grit and grass but that all goes straight through as well.

What does everyone think? She's still bright and talkative making bubbly happy noises when we return after even a short absence. Her feet are uncomfortable but she hasn't given up yet and still moves around. Her joints are getting stiff and she struggles up the coop steps and can't reach to scratch her head. Is it approaching the time to let her go?
 
Sorry to hear poor Daffodil is not too good again Chris. It doesn't sound as though she's had enough yet though! If she was sitting hunched in a corner and not responding to anything or eating/drinking then I would say it way time, but doesn't sound as though she is. Do you think it may have upset her by trying to get accepted by the others and being rejected? Maybe it's just had a bad effect on her digestive system? Maybe you could give her some Beryl's and see if this will help settle everything. You obviously don't think it's time to let her go yet, which is why, I think, you've asked others opinions. You know her best and she will let you know when it's time.
 
She's very sweet Sue and we are very fond of her, but I worry my emotions cloud my best judgement sometimes. Perhaps we will try the Beryls as I think some of the other chickens would benefit as well, so it won't be wasted. It will also treat far more birds than the packet states, because I emailed them querying their measures -think it worked out to 10 chickens not 6 ?
 
Chris, I don't think it's your emotions clouding your judgement, I think it's your instincts telling you what you should do. Of course you are emotionally involved with her and all your birds, but I still believe you know when the time is right or not, because you understand what your birds are telling you. This probably sounds really stupid to a lot of people, but I know you will understand what I'm saying.
 
When one of my animals has been going downhill, whether a dog, a pony or a chicken, I've always tried to get my own feelings of loss out of the way, and sense how I would feel in their position, and what release I would want. So far, I've always had a clear 'message' about letting them go when the time is right, and have helped them as I would wish to be helped myself. There are worse things than death, and I don't think animals fear it as we do.
 
I agree with you Marigold, but I also think death is worse than having a few health problems to live with. Animals do give a clear message when they have had enough, trouble is not everyone can recognise this. I think Chris is one of the people who can though.
 
Beryl's has been ordered. Dilly laid a 'phantom' egg this morning! Perhaps tomorrow she will lay a real one?
 
She's sleeping inside at night Sue and waits to be collected. During the day she goes into her own run. She may get let out during the day but with the fox problem its only for a few minutes anyway. Beryl's arrived today while we were out buying another Blue Laced Wyandotte Cock so we'll fetch it tomorrow. Her poos were better yeasterday.
 
The Beryl's was collected from the Post Office. However it hadn't been stored at the correct 2 -8 degrees so I doubt there was much left alive in it. The label was rather small on the front although I doubt the PO would have reacted to it even if seen as I can't imagine them putting parcels in their milk fridge. Big problem with buying the stuff, as the chiller bag inside the envelope isn't very big and on a hot day would only last a couple of hours. So it's a cool weather order only. We had a cool box beside our post box but the package had to be signed for!

The 6 bird sachet actually does 11 birds when mixed and measured as directed. I did check this with them and they said it was fine. The 12 bird sachet does about 17 birds. Daffodil's poos, although still watery, seem better digested 5 days on. She was very talkative this morning and 'demanded' to go to her day coop in the Orchard. Two hours later and she has laid a beautiful big egg, first for weeks!! So is it co-incidence? Perhaps not, as the others who got the rest of the Beryl's have improved poos as well. At some stage I will ask the supplier exactly what effect exceeding the storage temperature has -it may just be a reduced shelf life?
 
It would be interesting to know what they say about the storage temperature Chris. Also what the shelf life is if kept at the correct temperature. The last time I bought any I sent for 2 packs, only used one and put the other in the fridge for several weeks before using it. It still seemed to work though.

I'm really pleased to hear that Daffodil is much better and actually layed an egg! Well done Daffodil.
 
She's laid another today Sue. But she is suffering with her feet and joints. She struggles to walk now but seems to override the obvious pain she must be in. We keep her inside in her cage anyway during the morning which limits her moving about. Her joints creak as well, so it's only the cod liver oil keeping her mobile at all. Being realistic I can't see her getting through Winter, even sitting in front of the fire with us. But she's done well so far so let's see.
 
See if you can get some liquid Glucosamine & Chondroitin to add to her feed Chris - a vet friend of hours said they keep race horses going for an extra three years by using it. Don't know what the dose would be though. I know there has been a survey that it doesn't make any difference but if either of us doesn't take it for a few days we notice the difference. OH was told he would need knee replacments by the time he was 40 - started taking cod liver oil the Gluc & Chon (must take both) and his knees are fine and he's 65 in November!
 
Yes they worked for my elbows as well Margaid, Glucosamine and CLO that is. No effect then three months on and I woke up pain free! Stopped taking them a year ago with no ill effects, but I stopped drinking alcohol at the same time so perhaps they are related?
 
Don't know Chris it may be coincidence or perhaps the Gluc and CLO had revuilt whatever was damaged. OH can't eat tomatoes - more than half a cherry tomato and his knees ache next day, something to do with the particular acid in the toms I think. It makes mediterranean style cooking (lasagne, moussaka etc) quite challenging.
 
Hello Chris. Poor old hen. It seems she has some sort of problem with her waterworks? What we used to call dropsy. Has she access to dandelions? I'm not sure whether they would be a cure or make it worse though. Do you need diuretics or anti-diuretics? Hmm. Would need to look it up. It might be a case of ading something quite simple to her diet that wouldn't harm the others if they ate some too. Hope these thoughts are a wee bit helpful. Cheers. Gillian
 
Well the Beryl's made a big difference and keeping her still helps as well. Problem is our time is extremely limited now and Daffodil is only one of 32 chickens. We are busy clearing up and packing with the first half container only a third full. Stuff needs washing down and drying and in this weather that's difficult. Funny thing now you mention it Animartco, we have no dandilions this year! There are none in the field around us either.
 
Dandelions are good for digestive problems in chickens and waterfowl.I wonder if dry dandelions have same benefits as you can get them as dry salad for rabits in Sainsbury's.You could crush them and mix with some food.For health benefit i dry nettles for winter,crush them and mix with the food for mine.I have plenty of dandelions in my garden so they help themself as needed.
 
What sort of soil do you have Chris? Dandelions like acidic soil and are a great source of nutrients for chickens, especially calcium amongst others.
 
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