Egg Yolk Peritonitis Prevention or Management

[emilysteng]

It seems like you are doing a good job of trying to keep the group together. I had to look up the Mitford sisters - being a silly american I had never heard of them. Sounds like quite a group you have. I hope they form a new order and get along with the new chicks when you get them.

I just went up to look for Casino. She was roaming around with her boyfriend and another hen in their group. But she stayed away from me - probably afraid I will try to catch her. She didn't really want to eat anything - but did peck at the papaya I held out. It's hard to feed her when her boyfriend (Scrando) is around because he hogs all the food and she doesn't fight for it. I think she used to but now just lets him have whatever.

Not sure what to do now. I want to make sure she gets some extra food in her everyday. I know she is pecking around and eating stuff while free ranging, but I don't think it's enough. When she was healthy she would always eat some feed and corn that I gave her everyday. what to do, what to do.... It is crazy how she has been dominating my life these past weeks.

 

[Mitfordsmom]

I'd put enough food that Casino gets some even if Scrando hogs most of it!

 

[Spinster_Sister]

Mitsfordmom I am so sorry for the passing of your girl!! I just signed on and read the updates. Please don't feel guilty or responsible for her crossing over. You did everything you could for her and I am sure she knew that you loved her very much. She is now in heaven just running around, chasing insects and remembering a beautiful dream.....you will be reunited with her one day. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

 

[emilysteng]

Well another day and she's doing ok for now. I let her run around all day - I was able to find her whenever I looked for her. And I caught her for a little while this afternoon and she ate a little bit feed and papaya and I gave her some of the liquid food. She was quite mad about that - but I let her go back out for the night. I wanted to keep her in but I think she's happier out there in her world.

The thing is she doesn't even come to look at food I throw out so even if I put a ton out there it wouldn't help. But when we did catch her this afternoon she was interested in eating it for a minute or two so she had some.

Just wish she seemed more interested in eating. I hope I'm doing the right thing by letting her be.

 

[Mitfordsmom]

Spinster_Sister - thank you so much. I miss her terribly but hope she'll come back to me some day as another hen!

Emilysteng - Casino sounds like she is very happy doing the things she loves - what more could you ask for! You are doing a great job, don't forget when hens are free range they know what food to eat as medication so she probably knows what she is doing. She is so lucky to have you!

 

[emilysteng]

Thanks Mitsfordsmom. It's so great to talk to people on this forum who get how attached I am to Casino. I was hoping that the reason Casino only wants to eat certain things is that she knows what she needs. I'm not so sure but it's nice to think so. Usually she loves blueberries, cracked corn, and cheese. But the past few days she only wants to eat a little feed, papaya and poha berries(Cape gooseberries to the rest of the world I think) and the occasional grape. And of course whatever she finds outside. I've been trying to have anything possible available just in case she'll eat it - peas, rice, banana. I did see her eat some guava yesterday and of course grass and other plants.

I also wish her poop was more normal. very watery, with what seems like alot of dirt in it. Once in awhile she had a little more solid one but mostly watery. She does seem to drink plenty of water. It's been so hot these past couple days too. But she knows how to stay cool - today she pretty much stayed under the trees where it's nice and cool.

 

[AZBootsie]

Fresh poha berries, papaya and guava

I need a Hawaii trip!!
With this economy I may never get to go again.

 

[emilysteng]

Hate to make you jealous - but the papaya, poha, and guava that she has been eating are all from plants that are growing wild at the nursery. The guavas we actually consider weeds. All this stuff was probably planted by birds who ate them and pooped their seeds. They are better growers than we are sometimes.

 

[Noble Rooster]

First, Emilysteng, your Casino stories are so cute -- i remember reading some of your other posts about her. I think you're doing the right thing letting her be in her world but supervising to the extent you can. Her mental comfort can go a long way to keeping her going physically.

My girl seemed to take a turn both for the worse and the better today. It was weird. When I let everyone out she ran (rather than walked/waddled) for the first time in a few days, and seemed her usual active, bug-hunting self except for a pale comb, face and wattles. Then, when everyone went to dust bathe (usually she's the first one to start scratching and prepping the bath spot), she just laid down in a patch of grass and half-heartedly pecked at some stalks that had gone to seed. A few times I noticed her close her eyes and draw her head close to her body. Towards the end of their outside time she was avoiding the rest of the flock and finding quiet hiding places on her own. When I tucked them in she turned her head and clucked at me to say hi, but didn't even want any treats fed by hand, and actually let me stroke her (she's the head chicken and usually too much petting ruins her rep as tough gal

). The girl who seems to be poised to become the next dominant hen was sort of watching over her and snuggling close -- usually dominant gal doesn't tolerate snuggling, for the aforementioned reason. I debated whether to bring her into the house tonight but it seemed like she wanted to be with everyone, and snuggles from the flock are much better for the spirit than spending the night alone in a pet crate, even though I would have spent the entire evening petting her. It's almost midnight here but I'm tempted to go out and check on her. Sigh. Still kicking myself for not noticing her condition sooner.

I'm so glad you guys understand all this.

 

[emilysteng]

Hello Noble Rooster. Thanks - I hope I am doing the right thing. I know she's happier out there though I'm not sure it's the best thing for her. I worry that she tires herself out and she would expend less energy in confinement. I totally understand how you feel. I wish I had known about her condition sooner too. She didn't lay for two months and she usually has a clutch about once a month. I see what you're saying about her seeming better yet worse at the same time. I sort of felt that way today also. Casino seemed slightly more normal this morning and ate some food. But later this afternoon I went to check on her and she was resting under a tree. Standing up but catnapping. I guess it was very hot but she usually doesn't do that. Later on she was out again and ate some though so it's hard to say.

I hope your girl seems better today. Keep me updated.