Hello all
I don't seem to have much luck with little red hens.My goldline (hybrid) is 2½years old now. this morning I noticed she was looking a bit solemn and that she was fluffed up and she had a dirty bottom yesterday absolutely fine enjoying foraging out in the garden after they were finally allowed out (England had been under restrictions due to bird flu outbreaks)
I gave her some probiotic yoghurt with meal worms which she gobbled up! I took her in for an Epsom salt bath and noticed her keel was very prominent and she has little muscle mass in the area.
She sat happily in the spa(sink) while I cleaned her feathers and her feet. She has a few blood spot marks on her back near her tail where it looks like she has had a couple of feathers pulled and her primary wing feathers have a few bare patchy areas. I've checked her for lice (no sign) but puffed her with powder anyway and put ointment on the back area.
Her abdomen is swollen and she has watery poop but her vent is clear and not sore.
This has happened with previous"red hybrid" hens. Patty (this one), Abigail 3yrs ago and Rosalie 7yrs ago, neither survived past 2½yrs of age.
I'm not sure what or why it is, but it only seems to be with this breed. My 3 light Sussex girls are all fine.
Is there anything else i can do? (No chicken vet in area and we are still under travel restrictions due to covid. The breeder/farm I got her from is no longer open.
I'd be grateful for any advice as this breed have always been my favourite but they don't seem to have a long life.
I don't seem to have much luck with little red hens.My goldline (hybrid) is 2½years old now. this morning I noticed she was looking a bit solemn and that she was fluffed up and she had a dirty bottom yesterday absolutely fine enjoying foraging out in the garden after they were finally allowed out (England had been under restrictions due to bird flu outbreaks)
I gave her some probiotic yoghurt with meal worms which she gobbled up! I took her in for an Epsom salt bath and noticed her keel was very prominent and she has little muscle mass in the area.
She sat happily in the spa(sink) while I cleaned her feathers and her feet. She has a few blood spot marks on her back near her tail where it looks like she has had a couple of feathers pulled and her primary wing feathers have a few bare patchy areas. I've checked her for lice (no sign) but puffed her with powder anyway and put ointment on the back area.
Her abdomen is swollen and she has watery poop but her vent is clear and not sore.
This has happened with previous"red hybrid" hens. Patty (this one), Abigail 3yrs ago and Rosalie 7yrs ago, neither survived past 2½yrs of age.
I'm not sure what or why it is, but it only seems to be with this breed. My 3 light Sussex girls are all fine.
Is there anything else i can do? (No chicken vet in area and we are still under travel restrictions due to covid. The breeder/farm I got her from is no longer open.
I'd be grateful for any advice as this breed have always been my favourite but they don't seem to have a long life.
