MJ's little flock

[RoyalChick]

How is Bernie going @RoyalChick ? Is her toe healing ok? How's her crop going?

Your lot are looking great MJ!
Thanks for asking about Bernie, the answer is that I am not quite sure.
She is definitely not right, but I have let her out of the hospital ward on the grounds that if she is seriously ill then I want her life to be as happy as possible, and she definitely prefers being out and about.
Her crop remains an issue. Doesn't go down overnight, but it hasn't gone sour, and it does reduce a bit with massage. Meanwhile, she seems keen to eat and drink - though maybe not as much as she should.
I am not liking her poops at all. First off there isn't much poop at all, and what there is doesn't look right (too liquid, though not completely liquid) and I am not seeing nice white urates).
Her foot is also an issue but I can't figure that out either. It has stopped bleeding and I am keeping an eye out for signs of infection. I can't quite tell if she has just lost a nail or the whole of the end of her toe. She is able to walk, run, and stand on the bad leg. But she sometimes does a very high step with that leg, like she can't quite tell where it should go, and her balance is a bit wobbly.
Sorry for long response, it is all very worrying, but not a lot I can do for her except make sure she has what she wants which is mainly to be able to hang out under the butterfly bush.
I really hope it is mainly molt related, but I strongly suspect there is something else going on.
To be honest I am feeling quite down on myself - I missed that she had lost weight and I can't seem to do anything to help her. Not feeling like a very good chicken tender right now.

 

[LozzyR]

Your lot are looking great MJ!
Thanks for asking about Bernie, the answer is that I am not quite sure.
She is definitely not right, but I have let her out of the hospital ward on the grounds that if she is seriously ill then I want her life to be as happy as possible, and she definitely prefers being out and about.
Her crop remains an issue. Doesn't go down overnight, but it hasn't gone sour, and it does reduce a bit with massage. Meanwhile, she seems keen to eat and drink - though maybe not as much as she should.
I am not liking her poops at all. First off there isn't much poop at all, and what there is doesn't look right (too liquid, though not completely liquid) and I am not seeing nice white urates).
Her foot is also an issue but I can't figure that out either. It has stopped bleeding and I am keeping an eye out for signs of infection. I can't quite tell if she has just lost a nail or the whole of the end of her toe. She is able to walk, run, and stand on the bad leg. But she sometimes does a very high step with that leg, like she can't quite tell where it should go, and her balance is a bit wobbly.
Sorry for long response, it is all very worrying, but not a lot I can do for her except make sure she has what she wants which is mainly to be able to hang out under the butterfly bush.
I really hope it is mainly molt related, but I strongly suspect there is something else going on.
To be honest I am feeling quite down on myself - I missed that she had lost weight and I can't seem to do anything to help her. Not feeling like a very good chicken tender right now.

I’m sorry Bernie is unwell, it’s so worrying.

 

[MaryJanet]

Your lot are looking great MJ!
Thanks for asking about Bernie, the answer is that I am not quite sure.
She is definitely not right, but I have let her out of the hospital ward on the grounds that if she is seriously ill then I want her life to be as happy as possible, and she definitely prefers being out and about.
Her crop remains an issue. Doesn't go down overnight, but it hasn't gone sour, and it does reduce a bit with massage. Meanwhile, she seems keen to eat and drink - though maybe not as much as she should.
I am not liking her poops at all. First off there isn't much poop at all, and what there is doesn't look right (too liquid, though not completely liquid) and I am not seeing nice white urates).
Her foot is also an issue but I can't figure that out either. It has stopped bleeding and I am keeping an eye out for signs of infection. I can't quite tell if she has just lost a nail or the whole of the end of her toe. She is able to walk, run, and stand on the bad leg. But she sometimes does a very high step with that leg, like she can't quite tell where it should go, and her balance is a bit wobbly.
Sorry for long response, it is all very worrying, but not a lot I can do for her except make sure she has what she wants which is mainly to be able to hang out under the butterfly bush.
I really hope it is mainly molt related, but I strongly suspect there is something else going on.
To be honest I am feeling quite down on myself - I missed that she had lost weight and I can't seem to do anything to help her. Not feeling like a very good chicken tender right now.

I'm sorry you and she are going through this challenge.

It seems like her quality of life is high. I wonder if there's a better vet at the end of a longer drive. One with expertise and the right equipment.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm sorry you and she are going through this challenge.

It seems like her quality of life is high. I wonder if there's a better vet at the end of a longer drive. One with expertise and the right equipment.

Yes - she seems quite happy (except when I mess with her). I think giving her a nice life is all I can do.
And no, there is no 'Dr. Mark' equivalent within driving distance.
If I need a chicken euthanized or I need a flock fecal done I have plenty of options, but not anyone who actually specializes in chickens.
I like the lady I go to - she is a 'generalist' vet who will see any species and does have a chicken clientele - including a couple of roosters. She keeps a few chickens and a cockatiel herself. So she is 'bird competent' but definitely not a chicken expert.
I trust her examination (sadly, as she can feel a mass), but she would never operate on a chicken in the way Dr. Mark did.

 

[BDutch]

To be honest I am feeling quite down on myself - I missed that she had lost weight and I can't seem to do anything to help her. Not feeling like a very good chicken tender right now.

Dont be so harsh on yourself. Im sure you keep chickens with your heart on the right spot.
Its often difficult to see what the problem is and we cant ask / understand each others language .

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes - she seems quite happy (except when I mess with her). I think giving her a nice life is all I can do.
And no, there is no 'Dr. Mark' equivalent within driving distance.
If I need a chicken euthanized or I need a flock fecal done I have plenty of options, but not anyone who actually specializes in chickens.
I like the lady I go to - she is a 'generalist' vet who will see any species and does have a chicken clientele - including a couple of roosters. She keeps a few chickens and a cockatiel herself. So she is 'bird competent' but definitely not a chicken expert.
I trust her examination (sadly, as she can feel a mass), but she would never operate on a chicken in the way Dr. Mark did.

Do you think the mass is obstructing her GI tract? It seems something is. I hoping she ingested a feather or two.

 

[MaryJanet]

Dont be so harsh on yourself. Im sure you keep chickens with your heart on the right spot.
Its often difficult to see what the problem is and we cant ask / understand each others language .

Exactly.

 

[RoyalChick]

Do you think the mass is obstructing her GI tract? It seems something is. I hoping she ingested a feather or two.

The vet thought not. She said it was not huge.
Also, I think if she was completely blocked she would be more ill than she is.

 

[MaryJanet]

The vet thought not. She said it was not huge.
Also, I think if she was completely blocked she would be more ill than she is.

Oh good!

 

[ManueB]

The vet thought not. She said it was not huge.
Also, I think if she was completely blocked she would be more ill than she is.

I really don't like that period of moult because it's so hard to say if they have a health issue then. So many symptoms can both be due to moulting or to disease.
Do I remember correctly that Bernie has been moulting for quite a while now, and should be over it soon ?

I also find it not always easy to find the right balance between wanting to try to cure a chicken, and maintaining a good quality of life so as no to generate stress, which we know is a key issue to chicken's health.

Hoping it turns out well for Bernie. I am mostly hopeful because she's such a survivor . I would be grateful if you keep us updated in case there is some significant news.

That's hilarious!!

It's very interesting. I never tire of observing the hens.

I've gradually come to appreciate the way context shapes practices and outcomes.

Coincidentally I took a video of the hens this evening while I was waiting for them to roost and Mary looks particularly well. She's thriving.

Indeed she is resplendent. So shiny and fluffy !