Please help .. Emergency and no-one answering in the chicken forum

[Rayelene]

I'm sorry I can't be of any help, did you post in the emergency section?https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

Yep ..

 

[GitaBooks]

Hiya .. yes she is a chicken .. a little Blue Pekin bantam named Phebe I couldn't get any reply in the chicken forum and someone suggested I post here ... I was desparate.

The worm treatment I gave them was Panacur (Im in NZ). I got it from the vet. Weighed them all, dosed them appropriately and then dosed again 10 days later.

She is still no better. No worse but no better either. She is eating small amounts if I put it right in front of her. Not fussed on the pellets, or grains, preferring porridge or egg yolk. She is still not wanting to move and still trembling if I move her. But her legs definitely move and her wings too (she got in a panic last night). She appears a lot sleepier today though and has her eyes closed a lot more. Not quite so alert. I noticed that if I move her too quickly her head bobs from side to side and I wonder if she is disorientated or dizzy.

Still giving fluids and vitamins, a little sugar in the water as I have no electrolytes. It is monday tomorrow so if she is still alive I might go back to the vets and see if they will give me some antiobiotics without actually seeing her (will be cheaper). then again .. I just read that if I use antiobiotics I will never be able to use her eggs ? Really .. never?

She has now been 5 days like this, deteroiation is slow ... still feeling incredibly helpless and for the first time, regretting that I decided to have chooks. I had no idea that I would get so attached to them

thanks for your help ...

Don't give up yet. Keeping poultry has its ups and downs. I just lost two nests of eggs and my third broody only hatched one chick. It was really depressing after all that excitement and hours of work, but in the end its worth it to go out and see that little chick with its mother.

I certainly hope that she gets better!

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Oh. I suggested you posted here because when you said pekin I thought it was a duck. Hm... well do not give up, if she has hung on this long she may pull out of it.

 

[needlessjunk]

Yep .. 

I'm sorry. I'm new to chickens so I honestly have no idea. I would keep offering a mash for food and keep at it. @casportpony would you have any ideas?

 

[Amiga]

@Rayelene is she egg bound?

 

[Rayelene]

@Rayelene is she egg bound?

I have no idea Amiga ... she is not laying yet. They are all 6 months old and two Anconas have started laying just a few weeks ago but none of the others yet. But its the middle of winter so thats to be expected. I wonder if she is trying to lay and if something has gone wrong internally. I had a good feel around and I can't feel anything. Vent is not swollen or red or anything ..

 

[Amiga]

With ducks, I know a big boost of calcium and time floating in lukewarm water to relax them often helps.

Dissolved calcium citrate tablets, or even a Tums are things that have been used (as well as Neocalglucan, a prescription calcium supplement)

She could have oviduct problems - or could there have been a spinal injury?

 

[Rayelene]

Oh my goodness .. you might be right ... I just tried to have a feel and she does not like it. Kicked up a huge fuss. If I press around the vent it is rock hard. Blast! How did I miss that .. um maybe because she is not laying yet.

 

[Amiga]

If it were me, I'd be trying to help her out with things that could help her egg-laying system. A little KY jelly just inside the vent, calcium, I have no idea if chickens tolerate lukewarm water up to their bellies…..what would be an equivalent? Letting them sit on a hot water bottle?

I would also be careful not to rupture an egg if there is one in there.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Soak her in warm water, yes this is good for eggbound chooks... I had to do it for one of mine once... give her a good soak, then lube her vent area and if possible (very gently) a bit inside... give some crushed Tums or some kind of calcium supplement and keep her in a quiet area in a darkened kennel or box... dark will help relax her and not encourage her to keep laying... good luck and hope this helps...