Margo is in Trouble

[Kathy Golla]

I’ve had suspected oviduct infections in two hens. Catching it early is key. But absolutely if it is that, laying days are not over. And you definitely caught it early.
You may be dealing with also a calcium deficiency just with Margo, plus it being hot egg prod goes down typically. So egg wise u might be dealing with a few variables.
Vet says Oviduct infections super common in these breeds that are bred to be high production hayers, esp the feed store chicks, hard to know what you are getting, can be hit or miss re genetics.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Don’t worry so much. Think of someone who is pretty animal savvy who can come once a day, it’s only five days. Bring a helper, Catch her, wrap in towel, get pill down her in whatever form. Maybe crushed/liquid is easier, I don’t know how large the tablet is. Don’t think of it as too hard for the right person. It’s not that long of a time period either. People understand. It sounds like you might be on a good track with thinking of someone. I don’t mean to worry u more but if the person u are thinking of has poultry, it’s imperative that person practices biosecurity between flocks!

 

[micstrachan]

Just realized this never posted... oops!

Margo update!
Margo had a good day. She free ranged, dust bathed, ate feed, and wasn’t the first to bed. She did roost with a hunched back and slightly hanging head, but at least she was sitting instead of standing tonight. And I just informed hubby he has to do the meds some of the days and he said he would. But he said, “I’ll do the treat thing.” I need to figure out what that treat is. I’ll try a dollop of peanut butter tomorrow.

@Kathy Golla, yes. I thought about the biosecurity the day(s) my hubby is in Tahoe. I bought shoe covers a couple months ago with biosecurity in mind. (You know you’re a back yard chicken keeper when...)

 

[aart]

I need to figure out what that treat is.

Yes!

 

[micstrachan]

Peanut butter was a no go. Not even the healthy girls were excited about it.

Margo feels bad this morning. She’s fluffed up and penguin-like. I bet she has an egg coming through, and I’m glad she built her strength back up a little yesterday.

So I did another idiot move and did not give calcium yesterday... I was so focused on the antibiotics, my boss being back, etc. I gave her some this morning with her amoxicillin and ibuprofen. Poor baby. I hope she improves instead of declines by lunch.

I need some suggestions. I have not removed Margo from the flock, so they are all together and she is still a bit weaker than everyone else. She can’t really be offered a treat when they are right there. She is my quickest and most difficult to catch hen. How exactly will someone besides me do this? I guess they’ll need to grab her when she first comes out in the morning (wait at the door). If she is weak, that won’t be a problem, but if she bounces back like yesterday, it will be.

 

[micstrachan]

Also, she put herself in her hospital area, so I left feed, water, egg and watermelon and closed the little gates (in case she feels up to eating in a bit... otherwise everyone else will tackle it before she gets a chance.)

 

[micstrachan]

Well, she didn’t touch it and I need to head to work. Opened the little gates and some friends went in for her goods. She didn’t partake, but did perk up a little and pecked at the pine shavings.

The weather keeps being ten degrees warmer than the forecast, but I hope today stays cooler. Thank goodness she’s a heat tolerant breed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Best way for the neighbor to treat her would be when she is roosting. Either get there early before she comes down or wait until she goes to bed. If she's hard for you to catch, then the neighbor trying would just stress her (and the neighbor)

 

[townchicks]

I've been quietly watching and rooting for you and Margo. I think if you ask the chicken savy kids to pill her, and show them, it should go well. It had never occurred to me that you can pill a chicken, and when the vet tech demonstrated for me, I was shocked at how easy it was. Waaaay easier than pilling a cat, and I'm a pretty good cat piller. It may even be a skill they already have, and if not, one they can benefit from learning. Good luck, safe trip.

 

[Kiki]

If you can't find someone to pill her then so be it.
Would you rather her go with out for a few days or have a stranger stress your bird to death?