Barred Rock Hen - Lethargic, Standing with Neck "retracted" down

[hollyinpa]

Thanks, you guys.

This is not easy to go through.

It is hard to explain to some of my coworkers that I have a sick chicken when the very idea of having chickens, to them, is bizarre.

Luckily I have a few friends at work who are animal lovers and have been supportive.

I just checked on Ida and she's sleeping quietly. Feeding her through the dropper wore her out, I think. She's so weak. We will still try to do one more feeding before bed.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'll say some prayers for Ida Mae. I wonder if Gladys would feel better if she could see her buddy.

 

[hollyinpa]

Ida is eating some small pieces of cucumber and american cheese this AM. She also ate some pieces of bread. She's not interested in the layer pellets though.

We dropper fed her the terramycin mixture this AM.

Her feces has been nothing but liquid since yesterday and she's quite "stinky" as a result. I hope the food she's eating will help firm up her poop.

Gladys seems to be doing ok without Ida and, I have found, Gladys gets a be "pissy" with Ida when she is put back in the pen after having been handled/inside with us.

My neighbor offered to have us take one of his hens to introduce as a companion to Gladys....

Doctor's appointment in 2 hours....

 

[jjthink]

Hoping they can help her feel better soon.
JJ

 

[hollyinpa]

Well, Ida was put down this AM at the vet.

According to the vet, Ida's heart was in really bad shape (irregular, murmur, etc) and that she likely had been sick for a long while - if not for her entire life.

Our hens were likely never vaccinated as we bought them as pullets from a backyard breeder. Gladys is likely to be more inclined to become ill, as well.

I am sad for Gladys because she's all alone. Our neighbor offered to loan us one of his hens to keep her company.

In a week or so we will become the proud parents of 5-6 barred rock chicks. This will be our first time raising chicks and we welcome any suggestions/input.

I miss Ida Mae but know that there was nothing else we could do for her and that she's happy and healthy in hen heaven now.

Again - thanks to everyone for their support. Today was not an easy day.

 

[jjthink]

I'm so sorry. I hoped for a much happier day for you and Ida Mae.

JJ

 

[stilwellchick]

I am so very sorry for your loss. She was a sweet hen and I am sure she loved you back. You did everything you could to help her. Maybe you should take the hen friend your neighbor offered as a companion, I think it would help your other hen a lot.

 

[hollyinpa]

I am eager to have a "Foster Hen" from my neighbor but am not sure what is involved in introducing a hen to another hen.

Now - our neighbor's hens roam just outside our fenced yard - eating stray bird seed from our feeders and Gladys/Ida never batted an eyelash one way or another.

I think I'll ask my neighbor if we might be able to borrow one of his girls for a while.

 

[mmajw]

I am very sorry I was hoping she was going to get better.

 

[hollyinpa]

Thanks for all of your support...

I felt so helpless today...knowing that nothing else could be done for her except to send her on her way to a place where she'd be healthy and happy again.

My next mission is to get a buddy for Gladys - even if it is a loner hen from our neighbor.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how to intro new hens to one another? This is new territory for me.