Help Please!!! My chicken is sick! *She passed away*

[lds_horselover2005]

She passed away sometime Saturday night. She showed improvement since I had been feeding her. She ate on her own Saturday so I didn't feed her anything. I did give her some aspirin and wormer and I think that is what helped. I am sure she was running a fever. She wasn't just warmer to the touch she was hot.

And, not to make anyone upset, I want to state this. Chickens cost too little to take to the vet. I could buy 10-15 if not more new chickens with the money I would use for the vet bill for 1 sick chicken. That is the mentality that most farmers have and that is the mentality I will use also. I tried to save her and I did everything to my knowledge to help her survive, but she passed. There is an example I would like to share. There is a woman that lives nearby that raises sheep. One of her rams got really sick. She did everything that she knew to get him better. She called the vet. The vet come to her barn and did everything this woman did and charged her $95. The ram died later. What was the point of calling the vet? The ram died and for that price she could almost pay for a brand new ram. Now I think I have said enough. I want to repeat that wasn't stated to make anyone upset.

Thanks to everyone that helped! I really appreciate it!

 

[jjthink]

I am sorry the hen did not rally.

When you post about a very sick being, please understand that we the readers have no way of knowing your position about being against professional medical help. There are many who do not believe the worth of a being has anything whatsoever to do with the small initial cost of purchase.

When symptoms are reported here, we are simply giving the best possible advice to try to help. In this case, based upon the descriptions you provided, it was likely the hens only chance was an avian vet. Turns out that sadly it was true. That you chose not to take that advice is certainly your perogative and you don't even owe anyone an explanation. Actually, I wish you had skipped it. To find fault with a lady who was trying to help a sick ram just because it didn't work out in the end is - well - sad. Beings are not interchangeable as if they were clones of one another. She was trying to do something kind - she was trying to give that ram a chance to get well and enjoy it's life again. I have worked multiple jobs and spent thousands to try to help sick animals that did not make it despite all efforts. I did this because to me they have value far beyond money - they had a love of life that I wanted to retain for them. No doubt this is how the lady you describe felt also.

Understandably, most folks don't have infinite resources to give every sick being cadillac care but if they do manage to provide professional help when needed, it's a commendable and not a foolish thing.
JJ

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
That is a personal choice. You can normally get free puppies, kittens, or whatever. If the animal gets sick at some point, does that mean it's stupid to take it to a vet just because you can get another one for free? It all depends on the individual. Some people place a value on pets. Also, I don't think it was stupid for a person to spend $95 trying to save her ram. At least she did the best she could for it. Nobody was faulting you for not taking the chicken to a vet. We all do the best we can.

 

[Big dreams]

I know myself, I have spent big dollars on vets, outcome well some good some bad, I do believe if you have the ability to take ANY animal that you own to a GOOD vet that you feel can help indeed you should, if you can't well then you do the best you can do. I can't afford to take any of my pets to the vet right now so I pray nothing happens to them, (just had to pay 2400.00 to the dentist for my daughter, now thats a lot of chickens

) Anyway just wanted to say I don't know that anyone here would think more of less of anyone who just did the best they could do, or afford to do. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[lds_horselover2005]

I wasn't putting that woman down at all. That woman that had the ram was actually kinda upset that she was out of her money. I think she knew it was dying.

I don't think of my chickens as a throw away thing. I love all of them. I don't even think there is an avian vet here. I do everything in my ability to care for my chickens. I thought this girl was pulling thru the day she died, because she had improved greatly. I am sure many others have money to spend but I don't because I am putting the little money (which is none cus I don't have a job) I have towards schooling. Luckily I live with my parents who pay for feed and help care for them. They themselves are on a tight budget because there is 8 of us here in the house. It hurts when one of my hens dies, but I also have to remember too how much it costs to replace and how many others I have to care for. I can never have a copy of that hen again. I know that. She was special in her own way. Then again, my family doesn't keep chickens as pets. We keep them for eggs and meat (occasionally).

Now I would like to sincerely thank those that offered opinions (even the vet opinion). I know that the people on here can always try to help!!! I never meant to offend a single person in what I stated. Thanks again!

Oh, I wanted to also ask...How long should I keep a really close eye on the rest of the flock? I usually watch, but not as close as lately!

 

[chilling in muscadine]

Usually when a chickens shows signs of illness its to late. They are masters at hiding there illnesses.

 

[leedle1965]

I'm sorry about your chicken. I'm sure that was hard for you. I'm also sorry for the drama regarding your personal choice. I don't have the same view but the fact that we are all different and not clones ourselves is pretty darn cool. I wish you the best.