TALKED TO VET PAGE 2: Need help re: Olivia!

[pawsplus]

I don't know what's wrong!! She laid an egg yesterday. When I went out to lock up the henhouse last night, she was on the floor instead of the roosts, but I just figured she hadn't gone up yet. But this a.m. she was still on the floor. The other 2 girls went outside but not Olivia. She did get up and walk around a little, but she seemed unsteady -- when I petted her, she didn't run away, and she seemed to almost lose her balance. I picked her up and examined her and could find nothing obviously wrong. Her feathers were ruffled, as they get when they're not happy/sick.

She wasn't sneezing or anything, just not doing right. I offered her some warm oatmeal (oats, layer pellets, scratch, an egg), and she ate a little. It's warming up today but tonight I'll bring her in the house.

I have a call in to my old farm vet -- I now use a fancy equine vet, so I'm a little embarassed to call him, since I ditched him for the horses, but he's the only one I know of. My reptile vet (who does exotics) said he does do chickens, but I can't get her there until tomorrow. If the farm vet can come out tonight I'll do that.

Any ideas?? She's been FINE -- as I said, she laid an egg yesterday. What are the possibilities?? The other 2 seem perfectly fine.

Elizabeth and the Girls

 

[LynneP]

While you're waiting for a call from the vet, I have 2 questions-

01. Is it possible she has injured a foot or leg? You should check carefully, and if she is still in the coop, offer her a scrap piece of 4x4 so she can comfortably perch on the floor while you look. Sometimes in flight or when jumping down from a roost or platform they injure themselves and it scares them so badly they won't go back up. She may lay an egg in the coop bedding today if that is the case;

02. Also check her belly and vent with gentle palpitations, then her crop. Anything abnormal?

It's important that the others not be given a chance to bully her at this time. If so, you'll have to separate her.

But I'm betting it is a leg or foot thing...

 

[pawsplus]

Quote:
This occurred to me--I couldn't find anything wrong w/ her feet, but I'm sure it's possible.

02. Also check her belly and vent with gentle palpitations, then her crop. Anything abnormal?

Not that I could tell, but she's not really that affectionate so it's not as if I handle her much normally, you know?

Farm vet doesn't "do" chickens. What the heck??? What kind of horse and cow and goat vet doesn't do chickens?? My reptile vet WILL see her and I have an appt tomorrow a.m. I can't take her today b/c I live way out and am now at work. I'll bring her in the house in a a crate tonight to keep her warm and safe.

The other girls didn't seem to be paying her any attention, and Clarice loves her, so I don't think they'll bother her. I left food and water in reach.

Elizabeth and the Girls​

 

[LynneP]

We have one vet at the clinic who has some fowl experience and who prefers to drop by if she's in the district. She's young, keen and I hope she stays that way! But mostly vets who will see chickens are 'rare birds'. Heh.

I hope that Olivia has simply stunned herself and may recover spontaneously. I have a hen named 'Doe' who is forever flying into things (poor vision?). Every now and then she does something new, y'know? So far I've been able to cope but I rate her most likely to die by enthusiasm and incoordination. Your girl may have bumped her head or neck too. Would like to know what vet says- your girl has a great owner, I know you're working hard to solve this.

 

[pawsplus]

Should I somehow prevent them from getting up in the high roosts? My henhouse is 12 feet tall:

There is a ladder, which they sometimes roost on, but after they got used to things they have mostly been roosting way up high (see below). Those roosts are 6-7 feet up. Too high?? I thought chickens could sorta fly.

 

[silkiechicken]

If she's a heavier bird, she could have easily hurt something when jumping down. I have heavier birds an my highest roost is 3 feet off the ground for their own safety.

As for farm vets, they probably see chickens as a flock bird this do flock management, which means usually cull the sick ones. Good luck with the specialist visit, that's going to cost a fortune!

 

[pawsplus]

Quote:
Well darnit. I have no idea how to stop them from getting up there. The "roosts" are structural aspects of the building! I'd have to put a whole ceiling up, I guess. She's not an esp. heavy hen.

Good luck with the specialist visit, that's going to cost a fortune!

Hardly! No more than a dog or cat. My chickens are pets and are treated as such. I have no problem spending money when they need something. That's why I have only 3 and not a huge flock.

 

[silkiechicken]

Maybe if you just put netting over the top of the roosts it will keep them lower to the ground?

Good thing you can take the bird to the vet wiling to see them! I've read of some horror stories of people walking away from avian vets with a bill for hundreds of dollars, just because it was an "exotic" and still no answers. Sounds like your vet is reasonable!

 

[pawsplus]

Olivia is at the vet's now -- he hasn't called me yet.

I now think she might be eggbound.

She had been in the nestbox most days and most days there was an egg. So I assumed it was hers (I can't tell hers apart from Clarice's). But last night I kept her in the house to keep her warm and there was an egg in the box this a.m. So it was Clarice all along, for I don't know HOW long.

What can be done for eggbound hens?? Is this likely to keep happening? WHY does it happen, with a hen who has been laying happily for the past 2 years (since I've had her)? Is there anything I can do to prevent it??

 

[pawsplus]

UPDATE: So I talked to the vet – he’s confused. Can’t feel any eggs in there. He said she’s really thin, and I noticed that last night when I picked her up to take her inside – but I’ve seen her eating normally up until 2 days ago, so . . . ?????? He’s going to do x-rays and a fecal.

<sigh>

ANY MORE IDEAS??????