San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[enzolove]

If anyone's awake and online right now - I'm really worried about my SLW! She's my big robust girl (6 mo. old) Stella. Yesterday morning she was normal, then later in the day started carrying herself low, and laying down a lot. I figured she must be ready to lay an egg! I went up to the coop so excited this morning to check the egg box, but instead of finding an egg, Stella is laying the corner, but not looking very comfortable. She's breathing, laying in a sort of heap with one wing extended. Could she be egg bound? I noticed last night when i locked up that she wasn't on the roost, but sitting on the ground instead. She's in the same place this morning, but not sitting. I don't know what to do, and I'm really worried.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Oh no Michelle! Can you feel anything in her abdomen if you pick her up? Is she drinking plenty of water?

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Bring her in the house. Get a rubbermaid tote and heatlamp, food, water for her. Check all her wings legs neck etc to make sure she doesn't have an injury. You can gently flip her over and feel in between her back legs to see if its hard if if she has a bulge. If she does you can soak her in nice warm water for a 15/20 minute bath, this will help her release and relax any egg that might be in there. I would add ACV and vitamins/ electrolytes to her water asap. Make sure she isn't dehydrated. Can you post a pic? I would also post in the Emergency section.

Hope this helps!

 

[enzolove]

I'm going to go bring her in and check her and soak her in warm water & stuff, will be checking back - thanks for all the suggestions

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Just seconding what Cari said and to let you know I'm thinking of you. I know it's stressful.

 

[enzolove]

/Users/michellecazares/Desktop/Photo on 2011-03-05 at 08.13.jpg
I don't know if this works to post a pic

 

[enzolove]

She's drinking water and pooping, but laying sprawled out. She can't lift her neck, when I hold her it just droops down. I took a pic but don't know how to post it yet. After the water she had a little more energy, she flared her tail a few times.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22528144/Photo on 2011-03-05 at 08.13.jpg

 

[wwmicasa1]

Quote:
Michelle,

I noticed one leg extended in the pic you posted. Is one leg forward & the other back??? If so, that is a sign of Mareks. It is a young chicken disease & sometimes can be cured if you catch it in time. Mareks is airborne so there is no controling it. "If" this is the problem, isolate her from the others in the flock. If you are willing to do a vitamin regimen, here is what I have done to save some of mine. Get Vitamin B12 (liquid) & Vitamin E (liquid). Give her 1/2 eyedropper full of each 3 times a day. Make sure she is eating & drinking even if you have to force her. If she survives & you see improvement in 10 days, reduce the vitamins to twice daily. It will take a month or more of this therapy to save her if she survives a week. It doesn't always work but IMO it is worth a try. Let me know how she is doing.

 

[enzolove]

Lynn - she does have one leg forward & the other extended back. Where do i find the liquid vitamins?

Now I've got her bundled warm in towel on my lap. She's taking the pedialyte & yogurt. I'm supporting her head because she can't.

Not trying to be pessimistic, but practical - if she begins to decline & suffer, how do I humanely "help" her?

 

[dfdesigns]

Oh, no... I'm so sorry about Stella! I have no practical knowledge to add, but wanted you to know I'm thinking of you both.