Keeping hens and ducks chat.

edwink

Cheery_Daff said: Aw edwink, what happy memories 🥰🥰

Sigh. Bessie Chicken isn't looking well today 😕 I let them out this morning and she stayed on the perch - not unusual for her as she's old and it was quite early. I tried to hand feed her some oats, but after a cursory peck she didn't want them. Again, not unusual.

When Mr Cheery went to let them out of the run at about 11 though, she was still in bed - and that is VERY unusual. We brought her into the house, and she's been pottering round and having a few snacks. She's not right though, she's got one watery eye, and seems very clumsy and uncoordinated - possibly because she can't see properly, possibly something more sinister 😕

My mum and sister were visiting 🙄 Mr Cheery stayed at home and sat on the floor with her, and now they've all gone I'm doing the same.

Not seen this combination of symptoms before in one of ours, so no idea what it is, and Internet searching is leading me round in circles 🙄 BHWT helpline is shut today, and I don't think it's a case for a non specialist emergency vet, so I'll ring the normal vet in the morning. 

Not feeling positive at the minute though 😕 She's currently just standing in the corner under the table 🙄 Going to give it an hour then take her up to the run and put her straight into bed. If it's something serious, I kind of hope she goes overnight in her sleep 😕 

Aww, Cheery poor Bessie Chicken. I had one with a watery eye and a runny nose. I took her to the vet and they put her on a course of antibiotics for a possible respiratory infection. She wouldn't eat even some pieces of grapes or mashed sweetcorn. Like Bessie, she just stood in a corner. Sadly even with the antibiotics she didn't make it. She just wouldn't eat a thing and we actually had to tube-feed her because her weight just dropped so quickly. Wasn't pleasant but we were just hoping she would live but sadly she didn't. Apparently, respiratory infections are very hard to treat. Chickens hide their ailments so well so they don't get picked on by the others and by the time you notice something is not quite right often they are too ill to treat.

They very often go in their sleep Cheery as you know which I think is kinder for them so they don't have to have a car journey to the vet etc. etc. It is so difficult to treat old hens, bless them.

I hope she goes in her sleep Cheery because it will be much kinder for her, bless her heart.

Thinking of you.

Edwink xx

Cheery_Daff

Yes, I hope she does too edwink 😕 They've all just had a week of antibiotics in their water as the vet originally thought Budgie had an infection and wanted to treat them all - that literally stopped yesterday (but then medication in the water for all of them is a bit hit and miss...). 

We've agreed that this time there will be no twice a day pills. She's 5.5 years old, and we just don't want to put her through that again. If it's something really obvious that can be treated simply, then we'll see, but it seems more likely that we'll have to let her go this time. 

And as you say, I'd rather she went overnight, but I can't in all conscience leave her without checking with the vet, she just seemed too disorientated today. 

Also, if she does go, that's the end of chicken keeping for us 😕 That'll be three we've lost in less than a month - really unusual for us, we've never lost more than 3 in a year. I'm glad the final two are the ones we got in January - they've had a lively little foster home with us, but not had chance to get properly settled in here yet so it won't do them any home to live with another small flock up the road.

Sigh.

edwink

Cheery_Daff said: Yes, I hope she does too edwink 😕 They've all just had a week of antibiotics in their water as the vet originally thought Budgie had an infection and wanted to treat them all - that literally stopped yesterday (but then medication in the water for all of them is a bit hit and miss...). 

We've agreed that this time there will be no twice a day pills. She's 5.5 years old, and we just don't want to put her through that again. If it's something really obvious that can be treated simply, then we'll see, but it seems more likely that we'll have to let her go this time. 

And as you say, I'd rather she went overnight, but I can't in all conscience leave her without checking with the vet, she just seemed too disorientated today. 

Also, if she does go, that's the end of chicken keeping for us 😕 That'll be three we've lost in less than a month - really unusual for us, we've never lost more than 3 in a year. I'm glad the final two are the ones we got in January - they've had a lively little foster home with us, but not had chance to get properly settled in here yet so it won't do them any home to live with another small flock up the road.

Sigh.

I agree Cheery that medication in water is hit and miss. I'd forgotten they have all just had antibiotics. 

All you can do is see how she is in the morning if she is still alive. Sounds like an ear infection or something with her being disorientated. It could just be an eye infection, who knows? But, like humans, everything like eyes nose and throat are all connected. My poor little hen had a really bad runny nose and watery eyes.

It is so hard to know what to do isn't it? Talk about pulling at your heartstrings. We all want to do the best we can for them with the least amount of suffering. But sometimes we haven't got a clue what to do even after searching the internet. The only thing you can do is keep her comfortable tomorrow if she is still with us and give the vet a call and see what they say.

As you say "sign" that is a lot in one month.

Edwink xx

Cheery_Daff

Thanks edwink, they do indeed pull at the heartstrings. That's the main reason we'll be having a break after this lot. Bless em.

starnac

Aw Cheery. What a time you've had recently. I don't blame you for wanting a break. They really are part of the family aren't they?
Here's hoping for the best outcome (whatever that may be)

edwink

Thinking of you this morning Cheery.

Love

Edwink x

Cheery_Daff

Thanks ladies. We've just had Bessie put to sleep 😕 The usual vets practice, but the two vets we're familiar with weren't there today which was a shame. The vet we saw wasn't very helpful, which was also a shame, especially as Mr Cheery came in with me and could have done with more certainty 😕

Anyway, it may have been a respiratory infection, or it may have been a stroke, or something else, he couldn't say. He did suggest tablets for a week, and in other circumstances we might have done that, but she's almost 6 years old, and we didn't want to put her through what would likely be a stressful week of tablets while she was possibly deteriorating anyway.

So it's very sad. Mr Cheery is distraught. And I've asked my friend to put us in touch with the lady who took hers, who's also said she'll take our two. End of a beaky era 😕

starnac

Aw Cheery I am so sorry to hear this. I know it's no consolation but I would have made the same decision. When we collected ours we were told ex battery hens only live 2-2.5years so 6 is a good old age. She has had a wonderful life with you and Mr C. Sending lots of love your way 

StarShapedPeg

😞 so sad. I’m so sorry for you. Definitely the end of an era.

edwink

Aww, Cheery bless your heart. 

I'd have done exactly as you have done. As you say she was nearly 6 years old which is old for an ex-battery hen. Most don't live past 4 years old, to be honest. She had a wonderful retirement with you and Mr Cheery, fresh air, sunny days, treats, proper food, love, cuddles, and chicken pals. She couldn't have wished for a better. life with you. And, now she will be with her former chicken friends in the place she called a real home.

Love 

Edwink x