Molting and starving

[Melky]

Update: Honey Dijon is slowly shooting down. In just meeting her comfortable.

I called and spoke with them this morning. They seemed puzzled that I would request a necropsy. I asked and they they said it wasn't routine for people to just request one. They have to ask the person who does them if they would be available, which they might not be. Also, I would have to have a veterinarian submit the request. It all sounds much more complicated than I had expected. They don't do the necripsies in Jefferson City and would do it in Springfield.

I would always work through your vet and don’t let symptoms sit. Chickens can pass in 48 hours of illness onset. My vet I find very helpful. That should be your first resource and most vet offices have someone knowledgeable in avian science. That’s the person you want. I am very sorry for your loss. State standards vary you may find.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well, those were my words because I didn't quite understand what he was getting at. He definitely said something about yolk not being fully absorbed, and I asked if he meant egg yolk peritonitis. He said, "Well, yes, that too."I though yolk absorption was something that is expected with new chicks and went away from the conversion thinking perhaps he thought this pullet might have had problems all along as a result of this. I was a little confused but left it alone.

I'm so sorry for your loss

Thank you for all the details and information you given to us. I know it's heartbreaking to lose them and you did what you could for her.

Without taking a look inside it would be hard to know what he meant about the yolk not being absorbed. Could have meant that she may have had a yolk drop in the abdomen and the body did not fully absorb it or "False Layer".
But it could very well be something was not right from day one too.

I hope all the others thrive, are happy and healthy for a long time to come. I know this has been hard on you and you did a very good job taking care of her.

 

[Matzwd]

I hope all the others thrive, are happy and healthy for a long time to come. I know this has been hard on you and you did a very good job taking care of her.

Thank you, Wyatt. I love all of my animals so much. My husband says I shouldn't get so attached, but you know the old saying...better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Probably wasn't meant for chickens, but that's okay.

The others are doing great, four left... A red sex link, a pretty and sweet red mutt that was supposed to be a Welsunner, a quirky polish girl, and a silky rooster that is good to the girls. I'll get some chicks in spring to add to the flock.

Thanks to everyone else for the information and support.

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[Grits&Eggs]

can you use an eye dropper to give her water/electrolytes? I tried it for the first time a couple days ago and besides missing the first couple times (cuz they shake their heads like crazy!), it worked pretty well!

 

[Matzwd]

One more bit of information i wanted to add about this pullet...her comb never got very large or red. It was pale and small her entire short life. She did lay three or four eggs before the weather change when she began molting. I think the comb must have been a sign of poor health. It just never developed fully. Since she was my only faverolle, I had no idea if that was the right color for them, but now I'm

thinking probably not. Here's a pic a couple of days before we had to put her down. This is the darkest it had ever been.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

One more bit of information i wanted to add about this pullet...her comb never got very large or red. It was pale and small her entire short life. She did lay three or four eggs before the weather change when she began molting. I think the comb must have been a sign of poor health. It just never developed fully. Since she was my only faverolle, I had no idea if that was the right color for them, but now I'mView attachment 1621946 thinking probably not. Here's a pic a couple of days before we had to put her down. This is the darkest it had ever been.

I see what you mean. Thank you for pointing that out and adding it to your thread.

 

[MissChick@dee]

So sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing
Honey’s story. Perhaps someone will learn from your articulate details and the step by step care you took of her. It easy to see that you cared for her immensely. Truly sorry