8 year old hen

[Eggcessive]

I also leave them with their flock as long as none are picking on them. Let her do what she feels like doing. They usually feel much better with their flock, even if they are lying around just watching. At some point when the time has come, the others may peck at her comb. At that time, or if she seems to be suffering, I would put her down.

 

[BY Bob]

My Daisy had similar issues. When it was her time to go I was holding her under her favorite tree. Saying goodbye.

Her two flock mates came over and she asked to be let down. Patsy, her best friend, laid down so they could lay together and Lilly stood nearby. They are social animals in many ways, just like humans. Here they are all together.

Please let your hen be with her family as much as you can.

 

[Shadrach]

Please let your hen be with her family as much as you can.

 

[pineapple416]

I know what it's like. The same thing happened to my mottled Java hen Sugar. I'll try to find the post. She got so weak and stopped eating and drinking altogether so we just had to put her down, it was the right thing to do. I agree on leaving her with the flock up until the end though that makes their quality of life better. She just had some sort of reproductive disease that comes with old age that we couldn't cure. Again really sorry.

 

[grnidone]

Does she have waterbelly? Also great info in comments section.

If so, this video shows how to drain:

 

[vanlash]

Thank you, Shardrach. That was very kind of you. It is hard, it hits me every time I lose one. I did put Rosie in with the rest of the flock this morning thinking the same thing. I had just fed and they roamed all around her. I was hoping it would make her feel better being in her environment. But she climbed under the coop and the rest of the flock went down into the trees. She did eat and drink some last night as I could feel the food in her crop. Since she was obviously looking for a place to be alone, I brought her back in where I can keep a closer eye on her. Her comb is turning purple at the top. From what I've been told and read about ascites (water belly) it seems like she has this. I read that the comb turning purple is a lack of oxygen. I guess I'll keep an eye on her a little longer before I decide if I have to end her suffering.

My hen that lived to 12 really seemed to enjoy watching the rest of the flock every day even though she didn't want to get up and walk. I'd put her in her coop each night and take her out in the morning and set her up with food and water next to her. She ate and drank right up until the day she passed. If only it could be that way for them all.

 

[vanlash]

grnidone, I'm pretty sure she does. Thank you for that link. I will watch it.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

My husband wants to put her in ice cold water to see if it will shock her into pushing out whatever is in there, if there is. Is this anything anyone has heard of?

No!!!

 

[BY Bob]

She ate and drank right up until the day she passed. If only it could be that way for them all.

I agree completely. If only. Sending hugs. It is hard, so hard to know what is the right thing to do and when to do it.

 

[vanlash]

Hello, for those who are following and have contributed to her help Rosie's story. I will give an update. She is still hanging in there. It always amazes me how much animals just trust and allow us to do what to them must seem like horrific things to them. Over the years, I have treated many hens with wounds from raccoons, dogs, etc., but never anything internal like this. So this has been very educational for me. I really appreciate everyone's input and all the youtube's that have shared info.

The reason I thought it was more an egg bound issue is that she was standing just like that (like a penguin). See attached pic

So, I think this is not ascites, but egg bound issue. Probably way inside because when I inserted my finger into her vent last night (about an inch, it didn't feel like I could go further and I didn't want to injure her more), I could not feel anything. But when I palpated her, I felt something way up (close to her leg that seemed sharp and hard. I wasn't sure if it was a bone or cartilage or something normal.

So, our journey so far today. This morning I first gave her 5 minutes of oxygen (as I have an oxygen tank), because of her comb was purple. I am continuing to give her more doses of oxygen.

I watched all the videos about ascites and the vet one about how to withdraw the fluid was extremely educational and helpful. I decided (as her her belly did feel soft and full of fluid) to try and aspirate. What I got was not a yellow fluid as shown in the pics attached (sorry not really clear). I don't know what it is or if I should aspirate further. She does have labored breathing still, but that could be stress, I guess as well.

So I proceeded to coat my glove with oil and check her vent again. This time I found a crushed up egg (very pointy and I'm sure very painful) pushing into the side of her vent area. I was able to dislodge it and pull it out. (see pic attached).

It still feels very swollen (and soft), but in case there was something further up than I could feel, still in there, I decided to do another epson salt bath. This time, though I used Dead Sea Salts because it is very rich in minerals. Don't know if that helped more than epson salts, but I had some so used it.

I also watched a video that said that it was good to give calcium infused water while in the warm bath, so I did this as well - while in the bath was emphasized.

I also read that garlic, vitamin c and vitamin b can be given. I am including all those in her water (I used vitamin B12 drops). I don't have a feeding tube (which I am going to rectify), but have been using a dropper. The feeding tube would be better so she doesn't get aspirated in her lungs though. She seems to be taking the dropper okay. I'm sure I could get her much better hydrated with the feeding tube (any feedback?). I've never done a feeding tube, so I was thinking of dropping by the wildlife center and see if they could teach me.

So, she is now blow dried and warm (she seemed to really like that). I was worried the sound would stress her, but she just closed her eyes and leaned against me.

So I will continue to work to keep her hydrated, fed and warm and am praying that she recovers.

Thank you all. If anyone has further feedback, please let me know and thank you for all your help!