dalguiyeowang
Songster
Unfortunately, I lost another hen last weekend. She was a two and a half year old Easter Egger named Maryann. I share this story in hopes of being able to answer any questions that another flock owner may have.
Sadly, prey animals have a tendency to hide their symptoms, so from what I know, most chickens start showing symptoms when they have about 30% function left in their kidneys.
This autumn, Maryann went through her molt. It wasn't unexpected. What took us by surprise was her weight loss and lack of shine to her feathers. You could start to see how bony she had become, so she was brought in for a bit of R&R and some hand feeding. We thought that perhaps a new pecking order was being established so maybe she was getting bullied. Not the case.
Shortly after, we noticed a growth on her right leg. Then it burst. So she was brought back in the house while her wound was cleaned and drained. A lot of pus came out, so we kept draining the wound until it started to bleed a good color. We applied antibiotic ointment and wrapped her leg with some pretty vet wrap. She got to stay in the bathroom with a little home fashioned for her for about 2 weeks. She started gaining a little weight and only went back outside once she started getting feisty and vocal.
After that, it went downhill. The growth on her leg swelled up again and she became increasingly lethargic. When she could no longer hop up on the roosting bar was when we brought her in again. We came here to find ways of dispatching her and also looked for the nearest avian vet. Her whole body started to become stiff. While cradled in loving arms, she rose her head, shuddered a few breaths, and then passed away.
Hopefully her story might answer questions for people who are in the same position. If you can dispatch quickly, then I recommend that you do it. Don't let them suffer.
Miss Maryann--the Mr. Rogers of the coop.
Sadly, prey animals have a tendency to hide their symptoms, so from what I know, most chickens start showing symptoms when they have about 30% function left in their kidneys.
This autumn, Maryann went through her molt. It wasn't unexpected. What took us by surprise was her weight loss and lack of shine to her feathers. You could start to see how bony she had become, so she was brought in for a bit of R&R and some hand feeding. We thought that perhaps a new pecking order was being established so maybe she was getting bullied. Not the case.
Shortly after, we noticed a growth on her right leg. Then it burst. So she was brought back in the house while her wound was cleaned and drained. A lot of pus came out, so we kept draining the wound until it started to bleed a good color. We applied antibiotic ointment and wrapped her leg with some pretty vet wrap. She got to stay in the bathroom with a little home fashioned for her for about 2 weeks. She started gaining a little weight and only went back outside once she started getting feisty and vocal.
After that, it went downhill. The growth on her leg swelled up again and she became increasingly lethargic. When she could no longer hop up on the roosting bar was when we brought her in again. We came here to find ways of dispatching her and also looked for the nearest avian vet. Her whole body started to become stiff. While cradled in loving arms, she rose her head, shuddered a few breaths, and then passed away.
Hopefully her story might answer questions for people who are in the same position. If you can dispatch quickly, then I recommend that you do it. Don't let them suffer.
Miss Maryann--the Mr. Rogers of the coop.
