Chicken help please

Hinnibell

Hello all, Hope I have posted in the right place.
I have a poorly chicken at the moment. She has runny poo which is caked to her behind (we have cleaned her several times to keep the flies away). When we picked her up her tummy felt as it if was full of fluid. We checked to see if she was egg bound but there is nothing there. She is approx 3 years old and doesn't really lay anymore. She appears bright eyed but is getting slower and more listless as the days go on. Should we put her out of her misery or let her pass naturally.
Any advice helpful. Many thanks.

Gigervamp

If her tummy felt like it was full of liquid, I'd say it sounds like she has egg peritonitis. It can sometimes be treated by a vet, but she'd also need an implant to stop her laying any more, which would cost, and it's only really a temporary solution.

The kindest thing would be to have her PTS I'm afraid.

Hinnibell

Thanks Gigervamp. I thought that might be the case. Sometimes doesn't seem right though when they are so bright eyed. The problem with chickens is that they never look ill until its too late. Sigh!

nightingalesgarden

I am really sorry to hear about your hen - I lost one the same way last year - all the same symptoms. I took her to my wonderful vet and there was nothing that could be done....she was PTS after a last supper of meal worms

My vet gave me a really good tip for my ex-bats - weigh them every week or so (jump on the scales with just you and then with them - subtract the weight difference). There shouldn't be that much change

As they get old and past laying they are prone to lots of problems - you can't tell if they are ill as they are wonderful actors but you can usually tell by weight....

I know you can just pick them up and "feel" if they have changed weight but in my experience you can easily notice if they have got lighter but not heavier...

Nightingale

Sallygirl

I've been keeping hens for fifteen years now so I've lost a good few of them to one thing or another. You know your hens. If she seems happy and not in pain, give her a day's grace and if still no better but happy, another day's grace before you decide. If the hen is hunched up and the comb is losing colour, then the decision is made for you and she has to go.

Last week, I thought my old hen was on her way out but a couple of days later, and she is bright as a button again. Everybody has an upset tummy every now and again and hens are no different. But you know your hen best and can see how she is.


Hope it comes out ok for you.

benwarwick123

when do ex batts stop laying then I have a 4 and half year old hen who still laying 7 eggs a week ?

Hinnibell

Thank you everyone. Just to let you know that Lucy passed in the night. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. x

Money_maker

benwarwick123 wrote: »

when do ex batts stop laying then I have a 4 and half year old hen who still laying 7 eggs a week ?

Thats amazing for an ex batt, many ordinary hens wont lay every day. Mine just laid now and again as they got older and some stopped after a year of freedom.