Hey...what about a small piece of tubing that could be left in there for a few hours and vet wrapped in place...so it could drain freely and slowly with you two monitoring her? Maybe drain a ton of that stuff out of there and make it easier for her for a bit anyway. Then again would Livvie leave it there? Maybe since she loves you so much she could settle down and sit with/by you for a couple of hours and just let it drain onto a towel or something?
I am like Serrin states she feels...really not that smart about this stuff but in my simple mind it sounds like it might work to relieve all that fluid and pressure....at least give her the ability to breathe better and rest well?
Damn it I don't know what to do and I hate that worse than anything.
*sigh* Well, sew a button on that one I guess. Nuts! I was really hoping that might have been an answer to part of Livvie's problems. But I'll keep thinking on it. Ya just never know where the next bright idea might come from....even from a dullard like me!
You are hardly a dullard! I appreciate the input from everyone. I know that Livvie is going to die. but today, she looks much better, no throat-clearing/hacking sounds. She is three-and-a-half years old and prime for laying issues, even though she never had any previously and even took a weeks-long break to raise chicks once.
Well I want to know something...why do they have to die? Why can't there be something we can do? If she had a hysterectomy would that stop the problem for example? I mean heck I would be willing to help pay for it. I am just sick sick sick of seeing these sweet good girls die from laying issues dang it.
Cyn & Tom, I'm hoping your sweeties go peacefully. You two are strong and courageous, and full of love for all of your flock. You two are teaching us all so much. I've been checking everyday and afraid of what I read, but.....
Big hugs to you both, and Ivy & Olivia. I am sorry about Glenda too. What a shock on top of everything else.
Thank you so much vnp. You're a sweetie. I realize that chickens will come and they'll go, many more as the years go on. It's just that so many are special for so many reasons. Olivia was in the first batch of chicks I ever incubated, the one where I hatched Suede. Her sister Kate was the first to hatch, the first to lay of any of my hens. Naturally, the very first girls are special and they are four and a half now.
Ladyhawk, you're such a kind, supportive friend. I just don't know anyone who would or could do a hysterectomy on a chicken, even if I could afford it. It's been done, I know, but I can't see us doing that, much as we adore Livvie.
Wow...I just read through some of the first posts and some recent ones up to the last ones, and I'm amazed at what a strong, wonderful and brave little hen Ivy and the other hens who are still holding on. I have a rooster named Ivory and if anything like that happened to him, I don't know how I would deal with it.
I feel much sadness and sympathy towards both all your hens that aren't feeling well and you. You're such as great chicky mom; you do what's right for your girls, but you also know when it's time to let go and when it's time to give them a 2nd chance (or in this case, a 3rd or 4th chance!). It's so kind and caring if you to give your girls a 2nd chance. For that faith you have, some or all of the sick hens might make it through because you spared their life instead of giving up on them.
I hope and pray that your poor little hens feel better soon and this will all pass soon and never happen again for you. If you lose a few because of it, just remember that you did all you could and are a great chicky mom.
You gave your girls one of the best lives a hen could ask for, and if/when they pass on, don't feel too bad about it. Obviously, you will be sad about it and I know how that feels. Trust me. But remember the happy memories you made with your hens and remember that they will be in a better, happier place and will be in peace at last.
Think about that and your sadness just might be replaced with relief and happiness; relief that their pain and suffering is over, and happiness that you had a chance to share your life with them and someday, hopefully, you will meet with them again.