Poorly Audrey with the brown bottom

[Sunbeam]

Audrey with the brown bottom is not looking to well

- she actually 'looks' very well but her behaviour is not usual. She is the last of the battery girls we had in Oct 05 & usually sleeps up in the tree, is the first up in the morning & desperate to get in the house for cat food. I found her yesterday morning still on her perch in the tree, when she came down she just stood - even when I whistled for them (which usually means kitchen left overs - come & get it!) she didn't go up to roost in the tree with Dolly last night & found a spot on the ground, so we moved her in to the house with the new battery girls. When I let them out this morning she just sat there & seemed a little unsteady on her feet & she was moving her head a lot around in a very chickeny way -(you know how I mean).

I currently have her in our house in a cardboard box & will try to get her to eat...

Anyone have any ideas what might be wrong, or is she just getting on a bit & on her last legs?

[MaureenHall]

That's how my Ivy is. A bit lack-lustre, can't be bothered, but she'll eat and drink when she's hungry and thirsty. She gets a mucky bum every few days too so I've been washing it for her with TCP in warm water just in case there's any infection. They've all been wormed and de-loused (though I've never seen any lice) so I'm just putting it down to old age now. I won't get rid of her, she can spend the rest of her life, however long or short it may be, in retirement with the rest of the flock and me

[Flummery]

I wondered if it could be worms - has she been wormed since you had her? With ex batts you don't really know how old they are do you? Hope she picks up.

[Bephlam]

Can't offer any advice I'm afraid - but I hope she picks up soon!!

[Sunbeam]

I've never wormed any of them, I've never though of doing it to be honest - perhaps it's worth a go - she's always been a very healthy girl.

I picked her up this afternoon & when I put her down she seemed to have trouble staying on her feet... she hasn't laid eggs for at least 12 months, but still always tries & comes out cluck clucking away ! She's asleep in a box in the kitchen now - I think I'll try worming and see if that makes a difference... if not then she can live the rest of her nights in her box in the kitchen. What does poultry spice do? Is that worth a go?

[Flummery]

It's good for them but doesn't tackle worms. You really want stuff called Flubenvet - I think you can get it from a vets but you can also get it online - try Petmeds (google it) - it's expensive but lasts ages. They pick up worms which are quite debilitating. This could account for the mucky bum.

[Sunbeam]

update

Since yesterday Audrey Chicken has lost the ability to stand up - we kept her in the house in a box last night, but when I took her out to give her water & food her legs went from under her & she hasn't been able to support herself at all. I managed to get some warm weetabix into her (about a teaspoonful) and poured water down her throat with my hand - she wasn't overly fussed about drinking, but she'd had nothing all day & there was no poo in the box at all so I thought it important she had some fluids.

I've taken her to the vet & he seems to think she may have a kidney infection - the sciatic (sp?) nerve in birds apparently runs right next to the kidneys & any inflammation of the kidneys can put pressure on this nerve & cause the legs to give way - she also has bruising on her breast bone but there are no dogs etc in the area, so unless she has had a close encounter with a fox it could be where she's been resting on her breast. The long & short of it is that Audrey is spending the night at the vets being dosed with antibiotics & anti-inflammatories & will probably cost us a small fortune!

Fortunately for her (unfortunately for bank account) I am not the sort of person that can say put her down, it's too expensive - so bang goes the nice boots I saw last week heh?

[frias]

Sunbeam, I'm with you. I've never had an animal that wasn't a rescue. Cats, dogs, rabbits all from RSPCA or strays and now ex-batts. I'm a sucker for a sob story and they've cost me a fortune at the vets over the years. I hope Audrey gets better soon. You will be much happier with a well chicken instead of a pair of boots!

[MaureenHall]

Oh dear, I do hope she pulls through

[Ashbylife]

Big hug for you and will be thinking of her. It's a brill thing that you're doing for her.

[aud]

I spat my tea over the keyboard at the title because Audrey is my full name.

Sorry to here about the chuck, unfortunally chickens now and then just get low, the best thing you can do is what you are already doing. When chickens moult they do get down now and again, we had one that was really down in the dumps for a few weeks, she hardly moved and was looked like she had been plucked. But shes back to her old self. Unfortunally, chickens do tend to drop dead when you least expect it. And there is really nothing you can do but just be glad they didnt suffer with what ever was wrong with them.

hope she gets better xxxxxx

[MaureenHall]

How is Audrey?

[Sunbeam]

I phoned last night & apparently there is no improvement- she is still sitting, and not eating, but is still quite bright. The vet is going to crop drip her again and is going to speak to his poultry specialist... I did say that if she had to be put to sleep that I have explained to my 5 year old what that means and we were quite prepared for it, I don't want her to slowly starve to death if she isn't eating/drinking - but he wanted to continue treating her, I think she is a bit of a challenge as he can't figure out what is wrong with her -he also said he would be reasonable with the charges as she is an ex-bat, which is nice to hear! I have to phone again tonight to see how she is... I think Dolly is feeling a bit lonely, as Audrey roosts in the tree with her - lets hope she comes home soon! I'll pass on your good wishes to her

[Ashbylife]

Do let us know how she gets on - your vet sounds fantastic. Really hope that she makes it, but whatever happens you and the vet together are obviously working really hard to do the best thing for her. Hope that she is home with you soon.

[Sunbeam]

RIP Audrey Chicken -

I spoke with my vet today and we have made the sad decision to put Audrey to sleep. My vet has been absolutely wonderful - Anyone in the Cambs area - can't beat David Unwin in Linton, he has really tried hard to make her better, he's been giving her antibiotics etc and baby porridge twice daily and really believed he could turn her around. She has been drinking by herself & gives them a cluck every morning when they uncover her cage but isn't eating by herself & hasn't regained any use of her legs.

I'm collecting her tomorrow & will bury her in the garden

RIP my lovely girl - I hope you enjoyed your freedom

Adrienne