Thank you. :hitLuela was my fave! We lost one other this year, Cassie, to a bobcat attack. I wasn’t terribly attached to her so therefore didn’t grieve too much. But I do miss my Big Lu.
I think my parents would be hesitant to use our kitchen knives to cut open a sick bird lol. If we weren’t going on this trip, I probably would have been able to convince them. And we don’t have super duper sharp scissors. Just crafting ones. But I do need to look into getting a scalpel and...
Update**
Despite our best efforts, Luela passed away in my arms. We kept her alive because she was showing false signs of improvement. (Eating ground up seed, drinking, and occasionally looking around.) I wish I could say it was a peaceful death. I don’t have the tools to perform a necropsy...
She is starting to show more interest in food, was picking up seeds and putting them down. We ground up some grubs and scratch n’ peck and blended it with water. She gobbled it up. Other than that, not a whole lot has changed. Not better, not worse.
I would have to say Wednesday or Thursday. I can take away her food and water tonight, but I’m not sure if she’ll be culled or not by then. I feel like the water is providing her some comfort. I’m waiting to see if she’ll get better. Her crop is squishy because it has water in it.
I honestly don’t think it has anything to do with laying. I looked into it, but this hen hasn’t layed an egg in her entire life. Her belly doesn’t feel swollen or anything. The only thing that’s come out of her butt is poop!
Right now it’s just full of water. I would assume it’s been emptying because she’s been pooping (though that’s just water too.)
Internally laying? I might have to look into that.
We may cull her this afternoon, but I’m hesitant until we’ve exhausted all options.
It was going to be a simpler deal, I think she’d probably agree. I will only be gone for two days, but I don’t want my bird to die on her watch. By the time we figure out what is happening, I’m not sure she’ll be among the living…
Another thing I should add is she is not appearing to struggle to breath nor have mucus and stuff coming out of her nose or eyes. This is close to 48 hrs that she’s been acting this way, and nothing has changed.
Hello all, I’m back, though unfortunately not under better circumstances. Another one of my hens, 3 year old Barred Rock Luela, seemed to contract a mysterious illness. Over the course of last week, she seemed to slow down and not keep up with the flock as usual. I didn’t think much of it...