Margo is in Trouble

[Tesumph]

Unfortunately you already started the antibiotics, so it needs to be finished one way or another.
Talk to the neighbors (if you haven’t already) and see how animal-savvy they are. They might surprise you.

 

[Kiki]

Unfortunately you already started the antibiotics, so it needs to be finished one way or another.
Talk to the neighbors (if you haven’t already) and see how animal-savvy they are. They might surprise you.

Agreed but if you can't find someone to give it to her you can't.
Don't let worrying about her getting a pill ruin your vacation.

 

[rebrascora]

Also, she put herself in her hospital area, so I left feed, water, egg and watermelon and closed the little gates

To my mind, if she is actively choosing to isolate herself, then there is no harm in keeping her in that hospital enclosure, at least through the day. You then have a better idea of whether she is passing soft eggs or not, how much poop she is passing and what it looks like and be able to catch her to medicate her more easily.
Assuming of course that the hospital enclosure has plenty of shade and room to move about and a nest box or nesting area and everything she needs. By all means let her out with the others when you are there to supervise but it's not like you are isolating her from the flock. They can still see her. She is clearly unwell and needs her "input and output" monitored so that you have a better idea of what is wrong and how to treat it, rather than guessing and worrying.

I appreciate that people are giving you conflicting advice but it seems to me you are dithering and chopping and changing without giving anything a real chance. I am also well aware that this must be running you ragged with work and family life and getting ready to go away. Having her in sick bay means that whoever is looking after them can tend her more easily (giving individual attention and perhaps more nutritious treats etc without the others scarfing them) and if you are going that route, it would be better to get her settled into that situation before you go. You need to make it easier on yourself and whoever is taking over from you. Also, what happens if she suddenly takes a turn for the worse and they set upon her whilst you are not there.... You have mentioned a couple of times that they have barged her or were feather pecking. If she is high up on the pecking order, sooner or later one of the lower ones will chance their arm.

I'm really not sure what the concern is with cooping her in her own safe space within the flock until you get to the bottom of this issue or she is at least more stable. She is showing you that she wants to be in that quiet space of her own in my opinion by going there of her own accord.

 

[micstrachan]

Well, it my husband can manage, it would only be one day.

 

[Eggcessive]

Braunschweiger, also called liverwurst or liver cheese is a great thing to hide medicines or to mix a crushed pill in. Also, canned cat food pate, such as Friskies brand works great for hiding meds for chickens, cats, dogs, etc.

 

[micstrachan]

To my mind, if she is actively choosing to isolate herself, then there is no harm in keeping her in that hospital enclosure, at least through the day. You then have a better idea of whether she is passing soft eggs or not, how much poop she is passing and what it looks like and be able to catch her to medicate her more easily.
Assuming of course that the hospital enclosure has plenty of shade and room to move about and a nest box or nesting area and everything she needs. By all means let her out with the others when you are there to supervise but it's not like you are isolating her from the flock. They can still see her. She is clearly unwell and needs her "input and output" monitored so that you have a better idea of what is wrong and how to treat it, rather than guessing and worrying.

I appreciate that people are giving you conflicting advice but it seems to me you are dithering and chopping and changing without giving anything a real chance. I am also well aware that this must be running you ragged with work and family life and getting ready to go away. Having her in sick bay means that whoever is looking after them can tend her more easily (giving individual attention and perhaps more nutritious treats etc without the others scarfing them) and if you are going that route, it would be better to get her settled into that situation before you go. You need to make it easier on yourself and whoever is taking over from you. Also, what happens if she suddenly takes a turn for the worse and they set upon her whilst you are not there.... You have mentioned a couple of times that they have barged her or were feather pecking. If she is high up on the pecking order, sooner or later one of the lower ones will chance their arm.

I'm really not sure what the concern is with cooping her in her own safe space within the flock until you get to the bottom of this issue or she is at least more stable. She is showing you that she wants to be in that quiet space of her own in my opinion by going there of her own accord.

You’re right; I am having trouble staying the course. I already let her out when I left, but can put her back in at lunch. There is everything she needs in that little spot. But she tends to do better when she moves around with them. I’ll reevaluate at lunch.
Yes, it’s running me ragged and I have a brand new boss. We’re trying to sort things out before I go.

 

[PouleChick]

Well that whole thread took some reading I hope she continues to improve and you have a lovely holiday!

 

[micstrachan]

Margo looks the same as this morning. Everybody is distressed from the heat. The weather keeps exceeding the forecast by more than 10° every day. It’s driving me crazy! I set up Mr.’s and threw a bunch of ice on the ground & put out some containers with ice blocks & water. Then I gotta run back to work.

 

[micstrachan]

@Eggcessive those are brilliant meds-hiding ideas. Thank you!

 

[micstrachan]

I just got home. Margo is a little better than she was this morning and at lunch time, but is not as good as last night. She came out for just a couple minutes for free range time, but went back into the run.