Ms Purdy Needs Your Help Please

[JP33]

Forgot to mention, I do give them oyster shell.

Apparently two other hens decided to lay this morning, I'm hoping one of the eggs belongs to Ms Purdy.

3 eggs were normal, 2 were new (much smaller) 1 olive colored, one light brown.

I will hold off on medicating and keep an eye on her. We are in a warming trend now, so perhaps some extra sunshine will help the situation to improve.

Thanks again, y'all have been very helpful!


...JP

 

[JP33]

Quote:
Wynette, thank you for the information & your time to look at the situation.

I would like to mention something in re to the wheezing thing & that I believe I may have been mistaken in what I heard, she hasn't made any wheezing noises since.

If I take her in, what about the pooping? It downright smells, not sure how much of that I can take, but if I need to bring her in, I will.

Keep in mind we are in a warming trend if that matters.

I could put her in the coop also and monitor her there as the others are out free ranging all day.

What do you think of the coop idea?


...JP

 

[Wynette]

JP, what I do with mine is I put them in a cage (plastic dog crate) and keep them either in my barn aisle with a heat lamp just outside the front of the cage, or in my garage with a heat lamp. It really shouldn't smell "that" bad to have a chicken in the house if that's the best option, just make sure you have lots of fresh shavings in the cage. Some folks will not use shavings, but just several layers of newspaper (or feed sacks cut up to fit) and remove a sheet whenever necessary.

Obviously, so what seems right to you - I would personally think that you'd be able to monitor how much she's eating and her poop if you had her removed from the coop - also, you'll be able to medicate her water if need be without unnecessarily medicating the others. Again, it's of course completely up to you.

On the wheezing, it very well could be that she was just on the verge of catching something when you heard her...and then her immune system kicked in & took care of it, but either way, it's a fantastic sign that you're not hearing it any more!

She has no discharge from nostrils or eyes, correct?

 

[JP33]

No discharge from nostrils nor eyes. Ok, to put her in a box atop pine needles or cypress?


...JP

 

[Wynette]

Those types of bedding are really not the optimum; they are not very absorbent, and dampness can cause....respiratory issues. Do you have pine shavings?

 

[JP33]

No, but I guess I could get some at the pet store.


...JP

 

[Wynette]

It's MUCH less expensive at feed stores (like TSC) than at a pet store. Like WAAAAY less at a feed store. You could also try pelleted pine bedding (sold for horses). Many folks use that, and it's extremely absorbent - moreso than even pine shavings - I prefer not to use it, though, as it's not very soft. I like my girls to be able to snuggle down in the bedding. Also, mine will dust bathe in fresh shavings, but obviously they can't do that in pelleted bedding.

 

[JP33]

Thanks again Wynette and everyone else. I'm off to the feed store for pine shavings & electrolytes/vitamins.

She will be coming inside soon for extra TLC.


...JP

 

[Jenski]

JP, your Ms Purdy bears quite a resemblance to my EE hen who had the first egg drama two years ago - -

Anyhoo, hope things are looking up this p.m. She looks pretty good to me in the pics, just hunched a bit. Her comb/face color look like she's ready to rock 'n roll in the egg department. Is she squatting at all when you pet her back?

Thanks for keeping us posted - -

 

[JP33]

Jenski, your pic does look quite a bit like Ms Purdy. To answer your question, my poor girl is not squatting, she really is the same tonight, I see no improvement, but I do have her in a large dog carrier on pine shavings.

She has a bowl next to her 1/2 filled with an electrolyte/vitamin solution I purchased from the feed store (it kinda looks like Tang but yellower).

She is inside in the spare bedroom for the night.

Tomorrow, I will feed her something good. Any suggestions? I was thinking sweet potatoes, oats & perhaps scrambled eggs. How's that sound?

Thanks for the help, I sure hope she pulls through.


...JP