Trying to stay calm even though we've got blood

[Judy]

Here's a good article on egg binding:

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page3.htm

I don't imagine you'll do all that stuff, but maybe some of it will be helpful to you. I'd sure repeat the bath, in the hope of relaxing her.

There are probably a lot more folks following this thread than answering -- but we don't really know what is going on any more than you do!

Good luck.

 

[AmyRey]

I think I read that article last night but thanks for helping me research!

I let the other girls out into the yard to roam a while and let Righty into the bottom of the tractor. She immediately started scratching around for bugs, eating the grass, drinking water and all the normal things chickens do.

In fact, she seemed a little miffed at one point when she noticed all her friends were getting to play outside while she is not. There are absolutely no signs of distress right now.

I'm going to give her some Poly-Vi-Sol and tums in a little while. It won't hurt to mix these in the community waterer will it? It's a one gallon waterer. How much do I need to put? And how much for smaller quantities just for her when I get the crate back?

All the girls are the same age and Lord knows I don't want to be dealing with this again next week with a different hen.

If I need to provide the roo with a separate (non-treated) water source, I certainly can.

 

[AmyRey]

Another question... (I got a million of 'em, don't I?)
Righty's comb and wattlettes seem to be really pale, especially in comparison to the other girls'. They haven't ever really been rooster red, but hers are not just about the same color as as buff feathers.

I'm thinking this is just from the blood-loss and will return on its own, but want to make sure there's not some other issues that could cause a comb's color to diminish. It's not blue or purple, not floppy (it's too small to flop anyway), not swollen or otherwise different - except for the color.

 

[AHappychick]

the paller comb is probably because she is not feeling well.

when you say her bottom was wet was it from the baths or some sort of discharge? would it have been egg white running out of her?

I think it is good that she is out and about acting normal, thats a good sign. You can put a dropper full of the poly-vi-sol in the big waterer and a drop or two in a small amount. Doesnt really matter some use more than others, just make sure it is not the kind with added iron.

 

[AmyRey]

I got the plain kind (not the plus iron version).

The color seems to be coming back into her comb a bit. It's pinkish now rather than beige. But her poops now are watery again and just black. No white component at all in the last two.

I'm going to look for the poop thread. lol

 

[Judy]

I suppose you've already seen this site too:

http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

 

[AmyRey]

Yes! That's the "poop thread" I was looking for. No wonder I couldn't find it. It ain't here!

Thank you!

I think it's still under the realm of "normal" poop. I had forgotten that I gave them all some watermelon earlier. lol Everybody has watery poop right now.

I let her out to be with the others and forage for a couple of hours. I'll watch her and as long as she's still acting normal, I might leave her with them tonight. She really does not like to be by herself at all. And the mean-aged son just cut the grass. Leaving her penned up to watch while they're eating from the bug smorgasbord would be cruelty to animals.

 

[AmyRey]

Morning, all!

Righty made it through the night with the rest of the girls just fine. She's eating fine. Pooping fine. Acting fine. And no more bleeding.

I notice that she really seemed to favor the laying crumbles and oyster shells this morning, so maybe she is having egg problems after all. I dunno. I'm officially stumped on this one.

But as long as her tail is up and she seems to be acting perfectly normal, I really don't see any reason to separate her from the rest of the girls and bring her in for soaks.

Needless-to-say, I'll be keeping a close eye on her and if problems arise again, I know who to ask. Even if it's only me and Amy here to answer.

A big, huge thanks to everyone who offered advice. (You're collectively known as "the chicken people" around here.) It was a huge relief to be able to come somewhere and talk to people who are vastly more knowledgeable about the subject than I.

And you can bet, when I do get that first egg... I WILL have my camera handy. lol

 

[Judy]

Good luck!

 

[AHappychick]

oh that sounds like she is out of the woods. Good luck hopefully she will start laying soon with no problems