MJ's little flock

[LozzyR]

No I haven’t posted on the sick thread, maybe I should.
She’s not been eating or pooping properly, or as she normally would be. But the past few days it’s gone downhill a little more, her comb is flopping over, her crop feels empty (because she won’t eat much but watermelon) and she’s not moving around a lot.
I reckon there was a tiny lash egg (the size of my thumb nail) this morning in the coop.
When bathing her today it felt like she has a smallish (half ping pong ball) hard lump on the left side of her chest, can’t feel the same on Snow when I grabbed her to compare. So naturally I’m concerned about tumours and maybe that’s why she’s not eating well.
I don’t know what else to say.

I’m sorry Scrambles, I wish there was more I could advise.

 

[Scrambles83]

Can you see if there is a wound associated with the lump? There is always a chance she got injured and it is infected.

I lifted all the feathers when inspecting yesterday, no visible wound. Thanks though Bob.
I won’t fill MJs thread with this.

 

[Ribh]

Unfortunately not, I tried to soak some ans added some honey but she wasn’t interested. She’s been excited to eat watermelon which I know isn’t giving her a lot but hydration so the oats today were a win.
I try to feed her alone but she eats more of the other 2 girls are eating it with her, so I make extra. With Penny (our other ISA that passed 6 months ago) I isolated her inside and I feel she went downhill faster so I’m letting Bok stay with her feathered family. I fear it’s something that cannot be fixed, and I’m soul searching to take her to a vet to be euthanised but then she gives me hope and I just can’t do it.
I’m sorry @MaryJanet, that I’m spilling all this on your thread. I know I’m blinding myself to the eventual outcome, and I’ve been keeping it to myself because I dread what you all will think of me. I feel like a monster whether I am or not.

You are not a monster. We don't all have access to a vet & I quite understand the not being able to afford one because it's not just fees, it's medication & follow up. The costs can climb very quickly. Sadly ISAs were bred to lay lots of eggs then die. 18 months ~ 2 years is a good age for an ISA. I started with ISA rescues many years ago & they are the reason I won't ever have ISAs again. It was heartbreaking. They are prone to reproductive issues ~ I'm assuming you've checked for egg binding, sour crop, coccidea, worms, lice & mites. I often find a sick hen has a number of issues going on & as I start to treat & she gets on top of things other issues resolve themselves. @rjohns39's advice is sound. Let us know how it goes. There is no judgement here.

 

[Shadrach]

It’s been ok. My ISA Bok is still not great, I took the risk of giving her an epsom salt bath this afternoon, got her fluffy butt clean and blow dried her. After that she ate some warm oatmeal and honey out with the young girls before bed. Hoping that’s a good sign but I won’t get my hopes up.
I feel like a monster saying this on here but I honestly just can’t afford a vet for her right now and it’s killing me. You can all judge me as you will, I’m sorry. I guess I’m not a good chicken mum in the slightest...love can’t save her but it’s all I have to work with right now

Don't beat yourself up over this. If I couldn't have come to such a wonderful arrangement with Gloria, my vet, there would be no way I could afford vet care.
It wouldn't even be a case of wanting to spend money on other things, it would simply be I don't have that kind of money full stop.
What I will write is back off the oatmeal. If you can get her to eat fish, or even some cooked meat, it's far better for them than oats.

 

[Shadrach]

SHRA. Bob has covered what I've said above and it's good advice.

 

[Shadrach]

Warm and sunny day relaxing with the Tribe 1 and Jenny and Solomon.

 

[MaryJanet]

Unfortunately not, I tried to soak some ans added some honey but she wasn’t interested. She’s been excited to eat watermelon which I know isn’t giving her a lot but hydration so the oats today were a win.
I try to feed her alone but she eats more of the other 2 girls are eating it with her, so I make extra. With Penny (our other ISA that passed 6 months ago) I isolated her inside and I feel she went downhill faster so I’m letting Bok stay with her feathered family. I fear it’s something that cannot be fixed, and I’m soul searching to take her to a vet to be euthanised but then she gives me hope and I just can’t do it.
I’m sorry @MaryJanet, that I’m spilling all this on your thread. I know I’m blinding myself to the eventual outcome, and I’ve been keeping it to myself because I dread what you all will think of me. I feel like a monster whether I am or not.

Oh, I'm sorry Scrambles. I went through similar with Sandy. It's very distressing. We are always commenting on how clever chooks are, I'm sure she knows you're trying to help her.

We all do the best we can with what we've got. Don't plague yourself with worry over us, we'll always support you and share advice if we can. You already have too many worries with Bok on your mind.

@rjohns39 gave you some good advice on diet and although I haven't read to the end of the thread yet, I'm sure there's lots more advice from other folks.

Also, the important thing is to share what's going on as much as possible and it doesn't really matter which thread you do it on, write about it here or anywhere else. I won't mind at all and I'm sure your other friends feel the same.

We're a small group, and you may find more advice on the sick thread, but people can be alarming, so check with us before you follow someone's advice. I trust @Shadrach and @rjohns39 and @BY Bob to give sensible advice that will really help Bok. Whereas other people sometimes speak like experts when they're not experts.

 

[Scrambles83]

You are not a monster. We don't all have access to a vet & I quite understand the not being able to afford one because it's not just fees, it's medication & follow up. The costs can climb very quickly. Sadly ISAs were bred to lay lots of eggs then die. 18 months ~ 2 years is a good age for an ISA. I started with ISA rescues many years ago & they are the reason I won't ever have ISAs again. It was heartbreaking. They are prone to reproductive issues ~ I'm assuming you've checked for egg binding, sour crop, coccidea, worms, lice & mites. I often find a sick hen has a number of issues going on & as I start to treat & she gets on top of things other issues resolve themselves. @rjohns39's advice is sound. Let us know how it goes. There is no judgement here.

She’s 3 so I’m not shocked at her not doing great but, yes, it’s heartbreaking.
I treated for cocci, worms and have inspected for mites and lice, nothing there.
Felt for an egg and nothing either, she hasn’t laid in about 9 months.
Crop is empty which is the most distressing thing.
The young ones are fine, they snuggle into her while she’s sitting in the cubby.
Thanks for the advice though, appreciate it

 

[Scrambles83]

Don't beat yourself up over this. If I couldn't have come to such a wonderful arrangement with Gloria, my vet, there would be no way I could afford vet care.
It wouldn't even be a case of wanting to spend money on other things, it would simply be I don't have that kind of money full stop.
What I will write is back off the oatmeal. If you can get her to eat fish, or even some cooked meat, it's far better for them than oats.

Thanks Shad. The oats was an attempt to get her to eat anything but watermelon
Have mixed up some tuna for her to take out, she’s looking pretty dispondent though. And today is cold so they are all snuggled together at least.
She’s still drinking on her own so that’s something.

 

[Scrambles83]

Oh, I'm sorry Scrambles. I went through similar with Sandy. It's very distressing. We are always commenting on how clever chooks are, I'm sure she knows you're trying to help her.

We all do the best we can with what we've got. Don't plague yourself with worry over us, we'll always support you and share advice if we can. You already have too many worries with Bok on your mind.

@rjohns39 gave you some good advice on diet and although I haven't read to the end of the thread yet, I'm sure there's lots more advice from other folks.

Also, the important thing is to share what's going on as much as possible and it doesn't really matter which thread you do it on, write about it here or anywhere else. I won't mind at all and I'm sure your other friends feel the same.

We're a small group, and you may find more advice on the sick thread, but people can be alarming, so check with us before you follow someone's advice. I trust @Shadrach and @rjohns39 and @BY Bob to give sensible advice that will really help Bok. Whereas other people sometimes speak like experts when they're not experts.

Thanks MJ, I trust the people and their knowledge/advice here. I think that’s why I haven’t made a post in the sick thread.
I have read what you have all dealt with within your own tribes and it’s covered a lot of issues.