scrambled egg poop

[lissalischicks]

So I need some opinions. I am not sure when is the time I say it's enough. My girl is alive still. She gets very excited for food. But she is sleeping a lot now. We have been going her antibiotics but I don't know when to say ok.... this is not working. I also don't know if it is working. I mean. I know when I'm sick sometimes i feel worse then better..... this is very reminiscent of when I had to put my dog down last year. I feel like I had tortured her for my benefit and I should have put her down sooner. But then I want my girl to have a chance. So what now?!??!?!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Obviously that answer will be different for each chicken owner.

Some feel every breath is a gift as long as there isn't pain. Some cull at the first sign of illness for the protection of the flock as the weaker members bring disease to the stronger.

I personally feel that animals don't wrestle with these decisions. They only know if life feels good or it doesn't. Chickens either are well or they aren't. Diseases are either permanent or not.

Animals hide illness until they can no longer sustain an appearance of health to protect themselves from predators, so by the time you see evidence, it usually means they are further down into illness than you realize.

If treatment doesn't bring notable relief fairly quickly, it usually means their health is permanently compromised.

Typically, a slowly failing hen will sleep more and more, become weaker and weaker, until they grow too weak, lay gasping, and simply pass away.

If she is sleeping more than eating and scratching with apparent ease (versus desperation), it may be time.

Sorry she is not rallying. It likely is internal laying problems which are generally incurable (unless you want to spend a lot of dollars for a hysterectomy, and even then).

LofMc

 

[Eggcessive]

@Lady of McCamley has some really good points.

Is she getting outside to roam around with her flock? You say she still enjoys eating her feed. I usually watch to see if they are moving with the flock around to their favorite spots each day. Some do sleep a lot or just hang out. I usually put them down if they are being pecked by other chickens, or if they are isolating themselves and not eating.

While on and after antibiotics she will need some probiotics if her feed doesn’t have them. Plain yogurt (name brand) usually has good probiotic cultures, and a t sp daily is good.

 

[lissalischicks]

On Saturday she was out and free ranging for an hour. Starting Sunday she no longer leaves the coop. She still poops scrambled eggs. She sleep almost all day but she stands and eats. She doesn't hang out at all with the other girls. They come and hang out with her. Honestly. Sounds like it's time..... but I am freaked out because it would be my first full and I am 100% a city girl

 

[Eggcessive]

It is tough to put one down. But it is good to know how to do yourself, just in case there is no one else. A vet could euthanize her, or a friend who hunts, or is an outdoorsman might do it for you. There are different methods that each prefers. You can find videos if you .google “How to humanely euthanize a chicken, and here is a good article to read:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2017/02/how-to-humanely-euthanize-chicken-by-dr/

 

[lissalischicks]

I did and cried through all of them. I'm a wimp. I might have a coworker's father do it if he agrees.

 

[lissalischicks]

So we just did it. I should actually say my mom did it. I drove around the block for 10 minutes while she did it. I was going to have my coworker's father in law do it on Saturday but one look at her when I came home from work and I couldn't let her go on like the way she was. She was no longer really eating. Her crop had not gone down at all. She was miserable looking and kept trying to hide in a dark corner. When we talk about failure to thrive this was it. She was skin and bones.

I feel weirdly better and horrible and have little bits of doubt but ... all in all she is in peace. RIP Pepper.

Thanks for your help Eggcessive and LofMc.

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry about your hen, and glad that she is not suffering.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I'm sorry she could not rally. You were kind to not let her suffer longer.

She is resting now and you can remember her fondly knowing you gave her a great life at your backyard coop.
LofMc