MJ's little flock

[Ribh]

Sandy's health

Well, she's not doing as well as I hoped she would. She's not running any more, jumping is out of the question, and she uses her pain posture for an hour or so before moving again. Yesterday she stood in pain while hidden in the tall grasses. The other two sat with her.

She has a follow up with Dr Hill today, but I'm not keen on having to touch her and put her in the basket because it's going to hurt her. I daresay the bumps in the car ride will be traumatically painful too.

I think she needs surgery. I'll write an update once I know more.

Poor Sandy. That's not such good news.

 

[MaryJanet]

I'm very worried about her. I've pinned my hopes on surgery but she might not be strong enough to survive it. I think Mary and Janet are preparing for the worst. They've been very gentle with her lately and they even let her sleep in the captain's seat on the roost.

 

[LozzyR]

Sandy's health

Well, she's not doing as well as I hoped she would. She's not running any more, jumping is out of the question, and she uses her pain posture for an hour or so before moving again. Yesterday she stood in pain while hidden in the tall grasses. The other two sat with her.

She has a follow up with Dr Hill today, but I'm not keen on having to touch her and put her in the basket because it's going to hurt her. I daresay the bumps in the car ride will be traumatically painful too.

I think she needs surgery. I'll write an update once I know more.

Thinking of you and Sandy.

 

[LozzyR]

I'm very worried about her. I've pinned my hopes on surgery but she might not be strong enough to survive it. I think Mary and Janet are preparing for the worst. They've been very gentle with her lately and they even let her sleep in the captain's seat on the roost.

I think it’s safe to say we’re all worried with you.

 

[Ribh]

I'm very worried about her. I've pinned my hopes on surgery but she might not be strong enough to survive it. I think Mary and Janet are preparing for the worst. They've been very gentle with her lately and they even let her sleep in the captain's seat on the roost.

Surgery can be dodgy with birds.... I'm so sorry. She is such a sweet natured girl. Glad M&J are being nice.

 

[Grammy60]

I'm very worried about her. I've pinned my hopes on surgery but she might not be strong enough to survive it. I think Mary and Janet are preparing for the worst. They've been very gentle with her lately and they even let her sleep in the captain's seat on the roost.[/QUOTE

Will keep you and Sandy in my thoughts

 

[MaryJanet]

Every time I think she's done for, she bounces back. I'm delighted, but I'm beginning to think I should keep my fears to myself. There's no need to put you lot through an emotional roller coasrer ride.

Since my last report, I went to put her in the travel basket and she came running like nothing was wrong

She loved the drive again and hopped up on the basket for a better view.

I had a good chat with Dr Hill who decided to give her one last dose of clavulox as she'd been so weak and in such pain last night.

Hopefully she continues to get stronger.

Next time she gets sick we'll opt for the hysterectomy.

@LozzyR and @BY Bob it's $400 and has a good survival rate. Dr Hill says he's the only one in town who does it, so he gets lots of referrals. Most hens have one op, recuperate and are good to live another day. He usually goes in through the centre line. His worst ever case had a peritonitis that had... I've forgotten the word, but it means sort of hardened ... It prevented him from getting access to the reproductive organs, so he cleaned up the yukky peritonitis, closed up, the chook recuperated, and another op was scheduled to go in through the side. That means through the air sac which can't be healed. He did that, performed the hysterectomy and then found a huge abcess. Closed up again, chook recuperated again, spoke to the owners to explain the abcess had to be removed or when it eventually bursts, the chook would drown because of the opening in the air sac. Three surgeries later the case was closed and the chook lived on. So that's his worst ever case.

So I'll think that's what we'll do next time she gets sick because it'll give her better quality of life in the long run. Fingers crossed she never needs it, but if she does fingers crossed again that we won't find too many surprises inside her.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I'm very worried about her. I've pinned my hopes on surgery but she might not be strong enough to survive it. I think Mary and Janet are preparing for the worst. They've been very gentle with her lately and they even let her sleep in the captain's seat on the roost.

Every time I think she's done for, she bounces back. I'm delighted, but I'm beginning to think I should keep my fears to myself. There's no need to put you lot through an emotional roller coasrer ride.

Since my last report, I went to put her in the travel basket and she came running like nothing was wrong

She loved the drive again and hopped up on the basket for a better view.

View attachment 1981065

I had a good chat with Dr Hill who decided to give her one last dose of clavulox as she'd been so weak and in such pain last night.

Hopefully she continues to get stronger.

Next time she gets sick we'll opt for the hysterectomy.

@LozzyR and @BY Bob it's $400 and has a good survival rate. Dr Hill says he's the only one in town who does it, so he gets lots of referrals. Most hens have one op, recuperate and are good to live another day. He usually goes in through the centre line. His worst ever case had a peritonitis that had... I've forgotten the word, but it means sort of hardened ... It prevented him from getting access to the reproductive organs, so he cleaned up the yukky peritonitis, closed up, the chook recuperated, and another op was scheduled to go in through the side. That means through the air sac which can't be healed. He did that, performed the hysterectomy and then found a huge abcess. Closed up again, chook recuperated again, spoke to the owners to explain the abcess had to be removed or when it eventually bursts, the chook would drown because of the opening in the air sac. Three surgeries later the case was closed and the chook lived on. So that's his worst ever case.

So I'll think that's what we'll do next time she gets sick because it'll give her better quality of life in the long run. Fingers crossed she never needs it, but if she does fingers crossed again that we won't find too many surprises inside her.

View attachment 1981077

She's certainly giving you (and us!) a lot of ups and downs! I'd rather hear the news about Sandy's health because I'd be concerned any way.

I'm glad she is feeling better and even if it is a little, um, ghoulish, I find it very interesting and educational to find out what can be going on inside a chicken to compare to what's going on outside (ie. behaviour).

I love those photos! Sandy looks very chipper.

I've forgotten the word, but it means sort of hardened .

"calcified"?

Cream Crested Legbars

I've had another great conversation with Corinne who breeds CCLs! The two little girls who will move in with us (Ivy and Hilda) hatched today She's going to keep them until they're off the heat, then I'll pick them up and bring them home we can stop in at Dr Hill's on the way home for vaccinations and health checks.

They'll live in the prefab and take turns in the yard with the big girls. Once they're big enough, they can try being in the yard with the big girls. If everyone's happy sharing the yard, we'll try roosting.

I can't wait to meet them

Congratulations on your pending adoption! Sounds like you're very organised. I can't wait for photos!

 

[MaryJanet]

Well, ok then, but what I'll do (if I can remember) is hide the Sandy updates with a spoiler, so folks who'd rather not read it, won't have to.

Dr Hill says all of her reproductive strife is because she was bred to be an efficient economic unit of production. He doubts Mary, Janet and the new girls will have the same health problems.

Sandy is amazing in the car! So calm and interested in what's going on. I wonder if it feels like flying

No the word wasn't calcified, it was fibro-something.

I'm looking forward to meeting Ivy and Hilda! I'll write introduction posts for each of them once I know their likes and dislikes

 

[BY Bob]

Well, ok then, but what I'll do (if I can remember) is hide the Sandy updates with a spoiler, so folks who'd rather not read it, won't have to.

Dr Hill says all of her reproductive strife is because she was bred to be an efficient economic unit of production. He doubts Mary, Janet and the new girls will have the same health problems.

Sandy is amazing in the car! So calm and interested in what's going on. I wonder if it feels like flying

No the word wasn't calcified, it was fibro-something.

I'm looking forward to meeting Ivy and Hilda! I'll write introduction posts for each of them once I know their likes and dislikes

We are all looking forward to meeting them. I love their names.