update on Mrs. Murphy:
she is still here, but not really improving. Very very emaciated. I've been feeding her lots of fresh garlic, yogurt, buttermilk, eggs, canned cat food, oat groats. ACV in the water. Dosing with vitamins every other day for 3 days. I notice she does spend time on her hocks, and one foot is usually curled up tight.
What I'm thinking:
1. I made a big mistake butchering the roosters - I never cut into an intestine. I wish I had to see if there was evidence of worms, as I am thinking that is Mrs. Murphy's issue.
2. Cocci would not explain the emaciation.
3. She had access to food, so flock dynamics don't explain near starvation
4. she has an appetite and seems to be eating well, but very thirsty.
5. droppings now a little watery with a peasoup colored pasty to solid turd, white urates there too. some cecal poops. .
So, I'm going to do the unnatural thing and go with a wormer. Here's why:
1. I should do a fecal test, but with my work schedule, I can't get that done til Monday, not sure if she can last that long. And I would have to take off work Monday too....
2. I thought about doing the kerosene on water, or soapy water, but she is very ill.
3. I can get safeguard paste for about $8 today, and get it in to her tonight.
Future thoughts:
1. I really have to give serious thought to moving the coop and run to new, clean ground. They have been in the same place for 6 years, and although it is a very very large run, I have had enough problems this year that perhaps I need to do it. It will be a horrible hassle, and a big investment, but I am going to try hard to do it next spring when I can lay the new fences, etc.
By the way, flock has good feed, acv, garlic, access almost daily to free range for at least a couple of hours, etc.
Not a happy camper today.
