My Ivy.. Latest Relapse...She's Gone

[speckledhen]

I appreciate the support. I do have one of Ivy's daughters, Fern, and two of Fern's babies in my brooder, a cockerel and a pullet. So, Ivy lives on in her grandchicks. She is such a sweet hen. At least, her pal Lexie seems to be very healthy and lays a few eggs a week still, at four years old.

 

[EweSheep]

I wish there is a name for this terrible disease. LLV comes to mind but who KNOWS????? too bad there is not enough vets around the country that can help us out with egg bound or peridoitis problems. Dont you wish you have an answer for every bird we have come down for sickness?

 

[speckledhen]

I've opened them up, Robin. They have oviducts full of cooked egg stuff and infection, some with loads of fluid in their abdomens. No tumors at all, so not LLV. Organs all look great, even the liver is healthy, just a malfunction in the egg factory.

 

[lockedhearts]

Cyn,
I am so sorry, I know how you love your girls

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Does this seem to be more common with Barred Rocks?

 

[Cetawin]

I am sorry Cyn. They are so smart, I bet they do know...they are probably all together, protecting each other.

 

[Laney]

Cyn,

Just caught this thread, and I just wanted to give you

I know Ivy is special to you. Just keep loving her.

Laney

 

[speckledhen]

Robin, actually, Ivy is the only one of nine hens I have that have been affected by this that is a BR (six have died already). It's more common with the most popular hatchery stock breeds, for sure. Not exclusive to them, since my Livvie is not hatchery stock, but the rest are or have been from the same hatchery. I've lost four Wyandottes and two RIRs, hatchery girls, from two to three years old, except for one who was younger.

 

[joletabey]

Cynthia, is that part of a general hardiness issues? Hatchery stock isn't necessarily bred for hardiness, from what I understand.

How are the girls this morning? Out of the nasty wind, I bet.

 

[speckledhen]

I just let everyone out. Ivy didnt come out. She was so cold (it's in the 20's). She just stood hunched up and didnt want her morning scratch. I brought her inside and put her on towels in the recently vacated brooder in the greatroom. She is eating oatmeal and chopped boiled eggs, but her comb is purplish, she has lost a lot of weight in a short period and her abdomen is full again. If she's going to die, she can be in the warm house, at least. She is so beautiful and healthy-looking other than what's related to this ailment. Such a sweet girl. At least she has made it to 4 years old, unlike most of the others who died from this.

I don't think it's a hardiness issue, just genetic predisposition to reproductive malfunction. Lay eggs upon eggs, taking no breaks, till the equipment goes haywire.