Sick chicken, will leave one alone if she dies

[Equiem]

You are wonderful. I hope to rescue laying hens later on. How did she do today?

Rescuing is heartwarming and heart breaking at the same time!

She wasn't right in the morning but seemed spritely in the afternoon. This morning she took her meds and gobbled up some spinach too - she was doing her usual excites jumping up at the fence for it. I'm hoping she just had a bit of an upset stomach. I'll be watching her with eagle eyes now though!!

 

[Equiem]

Im so sorry. One of the drawbacks of doing rescue hens. I had about 8 & all of a sudden they dropped like flies. Figured years of abuse had done for them but @ least they had a great finish.

Oh I agree! I think they can finally relax and then they just get ravaged by all sorts of illnesses - I have had to deal with numerous (vent prolapse in the first week of ever owning chickens)
It's heartwarming to see their progression which is why I am rescuing more

 

[Shadrach]

Rescuing battery hens is a wonderful thing to do. It's also heartbreaking.
Rescue chickens in general require more knowledge and more care than the average flock. While it's wonderful that people will take these chickens in they need more than love to keep them healthy and happy.
Firstly, if these are true battery chickens they have never been exposed to the pathogens and hazards found in 'natural surroundings. They have virtually zero immunity to all those bugs and diseases a 'normal' chicken would shake off.
While it's understandable that the first thing rescue chicken keepers want is to see these poor creatures out on natural ground and scratching around in the dirt, often this and a sudden change in diet is what makes them ill and may kill them.
Feed changes for any chickens should be done gradually. It is much better to feed the rescue chickens the same feed they were given in captivity. All those treats; they never had them before and their metabolism isn't properly equipped to deal with them.
There are some 'professional' battery rescuers who advocate mixing medicated chick starter feed in with their normal feed to help them slowly build up a resistance to any local coccidia.
There are also those who advocate a very gradual increase in freedom, starting off with more room in a run that has been thoroughly cleaned and is free of vegetation.
Essentially taking the same precautions that a responsible chicken keeper would take when introducing new chicks to a flock.
In short, it is often not the abuse these poor creatures have suffered as battery chickens that kills them when freed, it's the lack of thought and knowledge on the part of the rescuer who understandable just wants to see them out in the open and running around.

 

[Equiem]

Rescuing battery hens is a wonderful thing to do. It's also heartbreaking.
Rescue chickens in general require more knowledge and more care than the average flock. While it's wonderful that people will take these chickens in they need more than love to keep them healthy and happy.
Firstly, if these are true battery chickens they have never been exposed to the pathogens and hazards found in 'natural surroundings. They have virtually zero immunity to all those bugs and diseases a 'normal' chicken would shake off.
While it's understandable that the first thing rescue chicken keepers want is to see these poor creatures out on natural ground and scratching around in the dirt, often this and a sudden change in diet is what makes them ill and may kill them.
Feed changes for any chickens should be done gradually. It is much better to feed the rescue chickens the same feed they were given in captivity. All those treats; they never had them before and their metabolism isn't properly equipped to deal with them.
There are some 'professional' battery rescuers who advocate mixing medicated chick starter feed in with their normal feed to help them slowly build up a resistance to any local coccidia.
There are also those who advocate a very gradual increase in freedom, starting off with more room in a run that has been thoroughly cleaned and is free of vegetation.
Essentially taking the same precautions that a responsible chicken keeper would take when introducing new chicks to a flock.
In short, it is often not the abuse these poor creatures have suffered as battery chickens that kills them when freed, it's the lack of thought and knowledge on the part of the rescuer who understandable just wants to see them out in the open and running around.

I left my previous girls a few days before being allowed out to scratch in the dirt etc. These will be my second lot of ex-battery hens and even with the few problems I do have that I don't know how to deal with, I have the advice line of the charity I rescue them through and also a very competent chicken vet.
I also weaned them off crumble and onto pellets gradually. I know I am still relatively new to chicken keeping but I did a lot of research before rescuing them so I am very clued up on the care of my girls!

 

[Shadrach]

I left my previous girls a few days before being allowed out to scratch in the dirt etc. These will be my second lot of ex-battery hens and even with the few problems I do have that I don't know how to deal with, I have the advice line of the charity I rescue them through and also a very competent chicken vet.
I also weaned them off crumble and onto pellets gradually. I know I am still relatively new to chicken keeping but I did a lot of research before rescuing them so I am very clued up on the care of my girls!

That's great. I read of, and know a few, who have rescued battery hens and here in particular barn kept hens that don't have any of the resources you mention.
I've had a few rescue hens and roosters here. They're not battery chicken but they have similar problems in as much as the new environment they find themselves in is a very dangerous playground.
I didn't get any of the support you mention and a few others here that also rescue chickens from 'egg barns' didn't either. It took considerable research and a great deal of time to make any kind of success at it.
I would suggest then that you speak to the various support options you have regarding the possibility of being left with a single hen given they should have both the knowledge and the resources to provide your hen health care and if necessary company.

 

[Equiem]

That's great. I read of, and know a few, who have rescued battery hens and here in particular barn kept hens that don't have any of the resources you mention.
I've had a few rescue hens and roosters here. They're not battery chicken but they have similar problems in as much as the new environment they find themselves in is a very dangerous playground.
I didn't get any of the support you mention and a few others here that also rescue chickens from 'egg barns' didn't either. It took considerable research and a great deal of time to make any kind of success at it.
I would suggest then that you speak to the various support options you have regarding the possibility of being left with a single hen given they should have both the knowledge and the resources to provide your hen health care and if necessary company.

That is my plan RE a lone chicken (which I'm hoping she won't be)! I posted this at the weekend when the services weren't available for advice. The chicken that I thought was knocking at deaths door is either feeling better or is doing a good job at hiding her pain/illness (which I know chickens are very good at doing) but if she does show signs of being unwell again then I will chat with the British hen welfare trust as the internet gives very mixed advice!

 

[Shadrach]

That is my plan RE a lone chicken (which I'm hoping she won't be)! I posted this at the weekend when the services weren't available for advice. The chicken that I thought was knocking at deaths door is either feeling better or is doing a good job at hiding her pain/illness (which I know chickens are very good at doing) but if she does show signs of being unwell again then I will chat with the British hen welfare trust as the internet gives very mixed advice!

I'm pleased to read she's looking better. As you write, they are masters of looking fine until they are often to ill to save.
I've been trying to set up a local rescue scheme here in Catalonia. What tends to happen here is once a hen is past her laying prime, or they becomes sick, the standard practice is to take them into the woods and dump them.
Some of these hens have only seen daylight through a dirty window. Three I've had here I know from watching their first flights had never flown before. Some have had their beaks butchered because they pecked at each other due to overcrowding and lack of resources.
A friend I have here has two at the moment that have had their wings clipped so badly that the flesh supporting the primaries had been cut.
Unfortunately usually by the time whoever kept them before dumped them, they are too ill to make a proper recovery.
Just out of interest, how many are you able to keep?

 

[CCUK]

Hi @Equiem. I'm really happy that you take in ex batts. I rescued six in August 2017. Sadly I have lost two. One at the end of last year and one just two weeks ago. The moment I got them home they thrived. Seeing the transformation from a pale, featherless timid girls to a happy fully feathered chooks! I did have a few problems integrating them with the rest of my girls but it eventually worked out! The two that I lost I believe was due to tumours. They were fine then started acting almost as if they had cocci so I treated them for that. But over a couple of months they started losing weight. I worm all mine every 4 months so I know it wasn't worms. They also ate very well. They continued to have good days and bad days. But toward the end more bad than good. I didn't have a vet until recently but I don't think it would have made any difference. They were both about three years old. So they have had at least half their life in freedom. I'm glad that yours seems to be on the mend. It's heartbreaking when you do all you can and they don't improve. As to integrating your new ones I'd be more worried about the one you already have being difficult. It is her territory after all. The new ones will be in a completely alien environment and although they will have been caged as a colony together won't probably know each other like a regular backyard flock hen. I'd keep them close to each other but separate but not for two long so they don't form 4 against 1. They may or they may not get cocci. It would be advisable to have treatment on hand before you get them, just incase. Cocci won't kill them so long as it is treated quickly and with the proper medication but they will be poorly for a few days or a week. As for your hen at the moment could you bring her in? I'm sure she'd like the extra attention!

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Just a shot in the dark.. but is she molting by any chance?? Some of mine have just begun molting! I thought it late but they certainly are, and it's hitting them hard. Just thought I'd throw it in there. Best wishes with your rescue's. I have 19 of them, agree it's heartwarming and heart breaking.

 

[Equiem]

I'm pleased to read she's looking better. As you write, they are masters of looking fine until they are often to ill to save.
I've been trying to set up a local rescue scheme here in Catalonia. What tends to happen here is once a hen is past her laying prime, or they becomes sick, the standard practice is to take them into the woods and dump them.
Some of these hens have only seen daylight through a dirty window. Three I've had here I know from watching their first flights had never flown before. Some have had their beaks butchered because they pecked at each other due to overcrowding and lack of resources.
A friend I have here has two at the moment that have had their wings clipped so badly that the flesh supporting the primaries had been cut.
Unfortunately usually by the time whoever kept them before dumped them, they are too ill to make a proper recovery.
Just out of interest, how many are you able to keep?

Oh no! That is so sad that they get dumped - they go to slaughter here (I'm not sure which is worse!)
My girls had had their beaks cut too and they came home completely featherbare although most did grow their feathers back bar one!

The max I've had so far is 5 however, if my "sick" chicken continues to thrive then I will have 6 when I rescue the next lot on the 24th. The new coop I have bought says it can house up to 10 but I know not to believe what is written on the packaging!!