Please help me save our lady ...

[grandmapenny]

We have a Brahma hen that our granddaughter named "Cruella DeVil" after the villainess in 101 Dalmations. Cruella originally belonged to our daughter. Last winter she (the hen) lost both of her feet due to frostbite. Our daughter could no longer keep the 8 ladies she had in her flock, and we are fostering Cruella. We have an extra large dog kennel that is her "coop" in the house, and have been taking her outside to forage in our yard when the weather permits (no rain, etc.) She has a "yard" in the house consisting of Astro turf covering some carpet samples.

A few days ago I discovered our house chicken has a prolapsed vent. I have used PrepH to follow the instructions "The Chicken Chick" has posted, but it does not stay in place. She is laying eggs (usually one every other day) so I am taking away her food for a couple of days to see if that will give her some relief.

My heart is sad over this darling girl who sits on my lap and watches the evening news with me. I'd like to have some ideas of what I can do. PLEASE ............

 

[grandmapenny]

The following is a post my daughter (or her hubby) posted earlier this year after they discovered they couldn't keep their "girls"
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So, we have posted before about our Light Brahma - Cruella (name does not match her personality - just her coloring) that lost both her feet to frostbite early last winter. She was in the house all winter, and once it warmed up, we started putting her outside during the day. a few weeks ago, we began putting her in the coop at night with our other girls and while she does get picked on a bit, she is doing well. She gets herself in and out of the coop just fine... even going in at night when it's time for bed. She's so tame now, she comes to you when you call her. and likes to sit between your feet (for protection, I suppose).She did begin laying eggs again about the time we started putting her outside.

We are sadly having to move next week and where we are going temporarily, we can't have our chickens. We have someone who will take them, but truthfully, they will likely not keep this girl for long - if you know what I mean. They have a rooster that they feel would do her damage.

I'm wondering if there is anyone in the area who would be interested in taking our crippled lady-bird and give her a happy home?? She is a producing hen.

She's so sweet, but we don't have any other options at this point.This is her, while she was inside, but her comb is red now - she's all grown up.

 

[Eggcessive]

Don't take away her food, but you can reduce the amount, and that can be helped by covering her cage for 16 hours a day to stop her laying. You can hold the prolapse in for ten minutes or more while holding her on your lap--rubber glove is handy here. A vet may be able to put a stitch or a purse string suture in her vent to help if a vet is a possibility. I remember reading about Cruella last winter--there were 3 or so chickens on BYC who lost both feet to frostbite. It's nice that you have taken care of her.

 

[Sarevan]

Aww poor Cruella, we have a BO named that and she deserves the name.

I agree with Eggcessive. Other things to try is honey, on a gloved finger gently rub it on the prolapse and inside the vent. Work it back inside and hold it there as long as possible with the gloved hand. It helps keep it moist, antibacterial and shrinks the tissue.

Sprinkle sugar on it, and hold it in. You can also put the prep h, honey or sugar on a gauze pad, held in place by vet wrap to hold the prolapse in. This involves wrapping around chest, to the butt. It has worked on one of my EE's that laid an extremely huge egg and she was prolapsed with 2" or more of tissue hanging out. (She is fine now)

Dark and calm with access to feed and water makes them slow down laying. A prolapse takes some patience to get it normal and they seem to know you are helping. Good luck, with your lap news hen!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would also try honey, and it can be applied inside and outside the vent. The Preparation H ointment should stay on better than the cream. As far as feeding goes, she needs food, but some people either reduce the quantity or change it to a lower protein feed such as oats or wheat. Here are a couple of links besides the one you saw from The Chicken Chick:
https://littlehenrescue.sharepoint.com/Pages/Medicaladvice.aspx
http://beautyofbirds.com/Prolapse.htm

Here is a thread for those who haven't seen Cruella to read about her: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/846959/peg-legged-chicken

 

[grandmapenny]

Thank you so much for your replies and kind words ... I will try ALL of the suggestions. My husband's mother raised chickens when he was a pre-teen, and he never thought he'd "fall in intense like with a chicken" ... but we have!! I tried to leave her covered this morning (using a dark green table cloth to keep out the light) and she "doth protest too much". She'll just have to get used to it!!

And Eggcessive, thank you for re-posting KnechtelRanch's threads.

Any and all thoughts and help are extremely appreciated.

 

[grandmapenny]

Wow, I can hardly believe this ... I took 2 10-minute sessions with our dear Cruella, and she's doing better already!!! I took her pellets out of the "coop" and am giving her some dry oatmeal tonite. SHE LOVES IT!!! She spent several hours in the coop with the "curtains drawn" and is going back in soon. Again - THANK YOU SO MUCH for the hints. I'll keep updating ......