Margo is in Trouble

[Kiki]

I had a little cry on my way down the hill. Poor Margo.

@KikisGirls, I agree Margo should be handled as little as possible. However. with all due respect, I don’t think she is going to get through this without help. She is in much worse condition than Ruby was a few weeks ago, and is a lean bird to begin with. Please know that I do respect your opinion and don’t take your advice lightly. It’s a little confusing when I receive conflicting advice, but I do have a tendency to try to do too much, so thanks for helping me keep that in check. Ultimately, I guess I need to read my girl and follow my gut. Hopefully she’ll perk up while I’m at work (leaving her alone) and it warms up outside.

I will look into a tube feeding kit or lamb saver kit since it looks like tube feeding will be needed.

I am 100% sure it is stressful for you to see her not feeling well but I am also 100% sure that having to force things on her not good for her either.
I think she might be having trouble laying an egg and I think that if you leave her be she will pass it on her own.
I think the messing with her so much is making things worse.

 

[micstrachan]

Margo weighed 5.2 pounds on July 4th (with probably a little error since my method is weigh self, pick up bird, weigh again). I can weigh her again later.

I will try to balance all the advice with my own observations. Thanks so much to all of you.

 

[micstrachan]

What are everyone’s thoughts on the fact that Margo did not visit a nesting box even once yesterday that I am aware of?

 

[Cayuga momma]

@micstrachan I'm sorry you are going through this. I'm praying for you and Margo!
You have plenty of help from the best people on here so you don't need my advice, but you have my support and love!

 

[Kiki]

What are everyone’s thoughts on the fact that Margo did not visit a nesting box even once yesterday that I am aware of?

She wan't ready to lay an egg...I see no problem with not visiting the nesting box.

 

[Kiki]

I think you might want to think about switching to a layer type feed only.
The birds have no choice to pick and choose to eat calcium when fed a layer feed.

 

[micstrachan]

It’s been on my mind to switch feed to layer only, but my girls seem better with higher protein and I worry a bit for anyone who might not be laying at any given time (from molti g, illness, etc.) I still haven’t quite figured it out, but may try and see how they do. Poor Margo has a bare spot on her back from Bagheera’s plucking and protein seems to help.

Also, are there any studies on declining calcium requirements of hens past their laying prime? It doesn’t feel right to me that a hen who lays almost daily would get the same amount of calcium as one who lays once a week or less.

 

[Kiki]

It’s been on my mind to switch feed to layer only, but my girls seem better with higher protein and I worry a bit for anyone who might not be laying at any given time (from molti g, illness, etc.) I still haven’t quite figured it out, but may try and see how they do. Poor Margo has a bare spot on her back from Bagheera’s plucking and protein seems to help.

Also, are there any studies on declining calcium requirements of hens past their laying prime? It doesn’t feel right to me that a hen who lays almost daily would get the same amount of calcium as one who lays once a week or less.

You seem to have been having a lot of issues with your girls lately.
I think you need to start looking at their feed.
Higher protein might just be one of your problems along with them not getting enough calcium.
I have sent you a link to that book...there is a whole section just on calcium in it.

 

[rebrascora]

How old is Margo? Has she been through an adult moult yet and if so, can you remember when? ie. is she an early moulter or does she wait until mid winter or somewhere in between? As a high production bird coming towards the end of her laying cycle, her system may just be getting depleted of calcium, especially if you have been having hot weather when they tend to eat less and drink more, so if you don't feed a layer feed, you might need to consider giving her a regular direct calcium supplement at this time of year.
Try not to be too upset. You are doing your best for her. I know how awful it is to have to battle with them when they are unwell in the hope of making them better and sometimes it can be counter productive but you have to go with your gut instinct because you can see her demeanour and we can't. I have had a couple that have died in the process of trying to treat them which really makes you feel bad, but the chances are they were going to die anyway. Margo looks a long way from that situation just yet..... they were very weak and on their last legs.

I know it is really bad timing with you going away soon and you must be really worried about that but hopefully this is just a shell less egg that is stuck in her system and the calcium will help her get it out later today and she will be perked up and back to her normal self when you get home from work.

As regards feed, I personally think too much is made of higher protein feed and the excess calcium in layer for non layers. I only feed 16% layer throughout the year even for my roosters and non layers and am yet to see any kidney problems or gout. I do not feed them lots of treats though so the protein level is not diluted and I still throw them a handful of crushed egg shells every now and then which the girls usually clean up pretty quickly, so even though they are getting the calcium in the layer, they still actively top it up. I do think that egg shells are more appealing to them than oyster shells, but you would probably need to feed more egg shells back to them than they produce if you were feeding an all flock and just giving them egg shells rather than oyster shell.

 

[micstrachan]

@rebrascora thanks for the second opinion on feed. I am leaning that way. There have been too many problems in my well cared for flock, so I really must consider feed. I provide both oyster shell and egg shell when I have it. Margo prefers the egg shell, and I’ll give her some today.
I don’t feed lots of treats, but they do get lots of free range time and looove to pick at tender greens (plus pick up seeds, bugs, etc.)
Margo was standing with a hanging head when I left a couple hours ago. It’s hard to imagine her perking up to drink and eat while I’m gone, but I hope that happens.