Hen about to pop - internal layer???? Updates posted.

[DuckLady]

Great job, Ruth! You did GOOD!

 

[ruth]

Thanks Terrie - her bumblefoot surgery and ascitis draining and vent cleanout have been added to the ever growing list of "Things I Never Thought I Would Be Doing".

 

[Lunachick]

Good luck with her Ruth. I hope she heals up for you. It must feel good to be able to help her out the way you did. I would think it makes you feel more confident to take care of them.

Please let us know how she does!

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

Wow. It is great to see people whom are so dedicated to the lifes of their chickens!

Great job!

 

[DuckLady]

Quote:
I hear you there. I got about as up close and personal to a duck's vent the other day to pull out a soft shell after she expelled the yolk and white and had the soft shell hanging halfway out.

 

[ruth]

Yes I definitlely know her on an upclose and personal basis. I'm just praying she heals and lives.

I was going to put her down but just couldn't bring myself to do it without trying everything else first. I even sat with her the other day, calmly talking with her and thanking her for all the great eggs, all the while with her neck in my hand trying to feel how it's made and what I would have to do to break it. Just couldn't do it. Hubby came out to do the deed and I "chickened" out at last minute. She's just too sweet to let go without trying everything I can.

 

[ruth]

Wanted to give an update in case anyone else has problems with ascites (fluid buid-up). I did another Epsom salt soak the other day and did find the rest of the egg shell. It was a small hard lump like a rock but was near the vent and I was able to get it out. I did find that doing vent exploratory goes much easier if they are soaking in warm water. The water acts as a lubricant and enema.

Today the hen is walking and eating and seemingly back to normal. I can't tell her from the other two now except she has a very slight limp which has gotten better each day. I think she really hurt herself when she fell off the high roost while so bloated and heavy because when I found her on floor that day she couldn't walk and was using her wings to try and lift herself. That's the day I decided I had to do the right thing and put her down but just couldn't bring myself to do it. Now I'm so glad I didn't. I checked her today and the "scrotum bag" has almost gone back to normal. Amazing considering there was so much extra skin from being stretched so much for so long. There was no fluid in the "bag" today and no longer any yolk running out of her. She was freeranging around the yard and even climbed back to high roosts to sleep - this is after a month of sleeping on the low roosts. I don't think she has laid an egg yet. I am still giving her penicillin shots. It's amazing to see her look so good. I know she's not out of the woods yet - that there could be an issue of internal laying going on - but for now she looks great and seems to feel like herself again.