Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

Gigervamp

Poor thing. It doesn't sound good.

pickledtink

No. I spoke to the farm where I got her and they said although she's only 4 she may simply have come to the end of her life as she's laid so well and is a hybrid. Going to check for mites then go there and get some Nopex as they said sometimes that can work. This will be my first loss if she dies. We're overrun by badgers and foxes here and I've managed to keep them all safe without losing even one.
Never had any sickness of any sort before. Fingers crossed.

ljonski

You really want to get a syringe without a needle and give her some yogurt, olive oil or liquid cod liver oil and even sugar dissolved in water to give her energy. If you do inject her make sure it goes right down the gullet.

Gigervamp

Oh, I didn't realise she was that old. You do hear about chickens living to a grand old age occasionally, but 4 or 5 seems to be the average age that they live to, so the farm could be right in that it's just her time.

I'm so sorry. I know it's hard, but if she doesn't pull through, try to remember that she's had a good life while she's been with you.

pickledtink

ljonski wrote: »

You really want to get a syringe without a needle and give her some yogurt, olive oil or liquid cod liver oil and even sugar dissolved in water to give her energy. If you do inject her make sure it goes right down the gullet.

I got her to take a bit of yoghurt last night and she did peck at some mixed corn. She has come out and is at least looking at the food I've put in with her but I'll try as you suggest too.

pickledtink

Gigervamp wrote: »

Oh, I didn't realise she was that old. You do hear about chickens living to a grand old age occasionally, but 4 or 5 seems to be the average age that they live to, so the farm could be right in that it's just her time.

I'm so sorry. I know it's hard, but if she doesn't pull through, try to remember that she's had a good life while she's been with you.

I think she's about 3 and a halfish. It seems odd she has been laying daily including yesterday. Checked the house. Can't find any sign of mites but dusted in appropriate places. The others who are exactly the same age are as vigorous as ever. Her comb is pale though. Pink not red....
Well I guess I'll just do all I can and see what happens.
I didn't realise how very very fond I'd got until now. This is grim.

spirit

Have you managed to get some sugarwater down her?

pickledtink

spirit wrote: »

Have you managed to get some sugarwater down her?

Managed to get a very little into her but she really didn't like it or want to open her beak and only got what little I could trickle down her throat.
I think she's just fading away. Mainly sitting and dozing.
I don't want to leave her as the ark isn't safe like the run. Just hope my chicken keeping friend will get my message when he gets back and I can take her to see what he can do.

Chickenopolis

Pickledtink- I hope she pulls through ((huggs)) . I wondered on the off chance when she was last wormed?

I also have 4 skyline hens and one is 5 years old and still laying.

Have you considered taking her to see a vet? My Skyline suddenly took herself away from the others one evening and was breathing like Darth Vader. I thought that she was not going to make it through the night, as she is the oldest one . The vet ( a generic one) gave her an injection and some Baytrill and she was touch and go for a bit and then recovered quickly. You just never know with hens- I really feel for you:(. I hope Miss Williams pulls through x

pickledtink

Someone who is pretty knowledgeable has just checked her over. The problem is her crop is empty of food but puffed with air which is wrong and he hasn't seen it ever before. He said in all other respects she is OK but weak probably from being unable to eat. If anyone has heard of this please let me know. Thanks all.