Continue to treat or cull?

[coach723]

Letting her roost with the others while having a prolapse could result in making it much worse. If any birds peck the prolapse then odds of recovery and survival will be less, risk of infection will be high. That's why it's a good idea to separate them until the prolapse stays in. Birds are attracted to red, so a prolapse becomes a target. If it happens, a lot of damage can be done in a very short time.

 

[trudyg]

If I don't cull tomorrow, in case she's not any worse than today, how long do you think she'd last if I did nothing? I wouldn't wait, since she's obviously not herself, but she seems to be holding her own and not too uncomfortable, just wanting to get a feel for it. I work on Monday and could cull when I get home, but I wouldn't be here to baby her during the day, so just wanting to settle my mind.

 

[trudyg]

Letting her roost with the others while having a prolapse could result in making it much worse. If any birds peck the prolapse then odds of recovery and survival will be less, risk of infection will be high. That's why it's a good idea to separate them until the prolapse stays in. Birds are attracted to red, so a prolapse becomes a target. If it happens, a lot of damage can be done in a very short time.

Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

 

[trudyg]

Well, I culled her. Hated to do it since she's a good broody and mama. The thing hanging out of her back end had reduced, not so big anymore, but still dark red and round. No amount of soaking and greasing it up allowed it to go in, almost like there was an obstruction in there, so I wonder if she didn't crack an egg and the shell was plugging things up? At any rate, she actually acted better, was up walking and getting around, but you could tell she was putting on an act--the others were very gentle around her, never pecked the red ball, but that blasted cockerel kept circling her and she had to jump up and chase him away, then she'd sink down even lower and need rest before perking up. She was so thin, her bones had no flesh on them, so it was time to cull. I guess that's part of the game. Extra sad for me today, since my nephew's baby has abnormal chromosomes and today was the first day mom and dad actually realized her life would be very short. Such a smiling, happy kid, but can't even roll over at 14 months and needs a feeding tube because she can't suck. No telling how long she has, but devastating to the parents and us aunts.

 

[NatJ]

Well, I culled her. Hated to do it...

Thanks for the update.

Under the circumstances, I think that was a reasonable decision to make, even though it is sad when things come to that point.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Well, I culled her. Hated to do it since she's a good broody and mama. The thing hanging out of her back end had reduced, not so big anymore, but still dark red and round. No amount of soaking and greasing it up allowed it to go in, almost like there was an obstruction in there, so I wonder if she didn't crack an egg and the shell was plugging things up? At any rate, she actually acted better, was up walking and getting around, but you could tell she was putting on an act--the others were very gentle around her, never pecked the red ball, but that blasted cockerel kept circling her and she had to jump up and chase him away, then she'd sink down even lower and need rest before perking up. She was so thin, her bones had no flesh on them, so it was time to cull. I guess that's part of the game.

I am so sorry for your loss. It is the hardest part of caring for them. You acted with compassion, please remember she had a lovely life that could have gone very differently if she had ended up in a commercial hatchery without windows and no access to the outside.

We do our best, but we cannot make them immortal... We love and care for them as best we can.


I wish you all the best and keep you in my prayers

 

[coach723]

I'm very sorry for your loss. I know it was hard, sometimes it's the kindest thing we can do for them.