Hen on antibiotics...need your thoughts please!

[amkchickens]

Hi all, this morning I noticed immediately that one of my hens was not well. She came out of the coop run and just stood there and was straining to poop or something. Her backside was pretty dirty.

A couple of hours later I noticed she was in the nest box. I let her be but an hour later+ she was still in there. She was not eating or drinking so I felt for an egg mass on her body near her vent. Nothing.

By late afternoon I was worried so I took her to the vet and they gave her an antibiotic and fluids, the dr noted that her ubderside was warm and doughy.

Once home, we gave her the meds and then put her with the flock. She finally drank a bit of water but still wasn't herself.

A few hours later she laid an egg.

What do you think is going on? Antibiotics work that fast?

Tomorrow I am going to see how she is and maybe separate her so she can rest in a dark and quiet place outside.

Another question: I spent about $100 at the vet. How do you guys justify vet costs when usually the chickens are $10 each? My husband wasn't so sure it was worth it and while I see his point, I'm torn, although im not sure why. I just feel like she deserves a chance at life even if she needs a dose of meds. Thoughts?

Sorry this is so long!! Thanks in advance!!

 

[huntseat]

If you trust your vet, then trust your vet because they saw your bird.

I can't speak to the condition you describe but others here can and might. If you have the time to poke around this board then you will learn tons!

The money I can speak to and will. I feel that good animal husbandry comes from a love of the well being of the animals you own and not the price of their proper care. If you are looking to make money with animals then you will need to really study the people/farms that do and watch exactly how they make these types of calls, you might not be comfortable with what you see. I personally have owned many animals and loved some of them very dearly while others just seemed to live here, it's all fine by me but I do have a price on everyone's head (The line I have drawn as to what I will spend at the vet.) Everyone is different and everyone treats their animals differently, to each his own. I will share one piece of advice I've learned along the way, don't ever second guess the act of putting an animal out of its misery for it truly is the humane thing to do.

Don't jeopardize your marriage over a $10 bird, I've seen people fight for years over things like this. (I worked at the vet all the way through high school.)

I wish you the best and good luck.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would guess that she was egg bound. You can check for it with a gloved and lubricated finger inserted into the vent 1-2 inches. Sometimes it is hard to tell egg binding from egg yolk peritonitis. Make sure your hens are getting plenty of calcium by putting out a pan of crushed oystershell available at all times. Vet care costs a lot of money nowadays. That's why this sight has become so popular and people try to give advice. It's always nice to be able to rely on your vet when you need them.