Think I'm losing my bantam....

[Mrs Brewster]

One of my bantams is not right, i let them out to roam this morning and all she wants to do is sleep.

Her face and comb have no colour, and tail, is listing to one side and seems to be stumbling around as through she is struggling to see.

I brought her in and sat with her and she just wants to sleep. Really think she is going, I' m not sure why.....

Doesn't seem to be eating or drinking that much either.

Can any help??? :?

 

[chrismahon]

Is her crop full, if so it may be impacted and needs a massage plus cod liver oil as a lubricant? Do you have red mite in the coop- I know it's cold but they can still be there? Need to get her in and give her TLC. Keep her warm and administer at least 10cc water per day. Lots of things it could be but you will need to be more specific after detailed observation Mrs Brewster. Have they been wormed, what are her poos like, what breed and how old is she, any new birds introduced recently?

 

[Mrs Brewster]

I have checked the obvious things Chris and seems to be ok. The other girls are fine, so cant be an infection. They were only wormed about a month ago.

The vet has recommend sugared water, keep her hydrated as much as poss and monitor her, but she has been asleep nearly all day. If i didnt know better i would think she had, had a stroke or something like that. She can't seem to see much in front of her, stumbling round, listless....

She feels boney, so she has lost some weight in the last few days. She is still not eating much, but drinking a little more.

Not sure what to do next, feel so sorry for her.

 

[Marigold]

Chickens can have strokes, so this might be a possibility. Sounds as if just keeping her quiet and comfortable, and hydrated as the vet advises, is the only thing you can do. Do let us know how she gets on.

 

[chrismahon]

TLC and hydration. Best chance Mrs Brewster.

 

[Mrs Brewster]

Update:

Still no improvement :| it would seem she now can't see to find her food and water and she has no balance. So hand feeding her now.

So off to the vet tommorow, can't really leave her like this seems cruel and unfair.

I hope they have some answers...

 

[chrismahon]

Sorry to hear that Mrs Brewster. It may be neurological, so as you say she can't be left like that.

 

[foxy]

I am so sorry to hear your little bantam is poorly, however she is comfortable, and getting the best care from you. A visit to the vet would be a good idea, it does sound like a neurological problem and in those illnesses the outcome is not usually very good I'm afraid.

 

[Mrs Brewster]

Unfortunately, I had to have her put sleep. Vet said she was just a shell, my little chicken wasn't in there anymore.

She seem to have had some neurological problem or trauma. She would just go downhill more than she has already and he seem to think her behaviour was more reflex or autopilot, then free will.

So rather than let her carry out, I put her out of her misery.

But thanks very much for all the advise and support, as always invaluable xx

 

[Marigold]

I'm very sorry to hear that, but i think you made the kind decision, and she was a very lucky little hen, to have had such loving care.

 

[chrismahon]

Good decision there Mrs Brewster, hard as it inevitably is. Good advice from the vet as they do instinctively function even though they are effectively 'gone'. She was very lucky to have a keeper as you. Sadly most don't.