I've two 'Laydees' in the infirmary :(

[Glutton4...]

Scruffy has been under the weather on and off for at least the last couple of months. She never moulted like the others when I got them at the beginning of November, and has often kept herself away from the rest of the flock. I've always expected that she would be the first to go, and accepted that out of sixteen rescues, I'm going to lose at least one, but so far I've managed to keep all sixteen.

For the last two weeks or so, she has sat hunched-up and sad-looking, but still eating and drinking well. On Thursday morning I noticed she was 'sniffly,' and when I went in to 'chat' with them yesterday afternoon, she sounded just awful; rattly and rasping, and she sneezed loudly. So DH and I discussed the 'Vet vs Culling' option and, although we can't really afford the Vet, he didn't want to do 'the deed' so we agreed to defer the decision. After all, if it was the Horse/Dog/Cat it would be the Vet, so why doesn't a Chicken deserve the same?!

Anyway (I'm rambling again!) this afternoon 'Nosey Rosie' (my favourite - I know you shouldn't have one, but she always was the boldest, and the first to come and fly/hop up onto my lap for a 'chat') comes up for her usual cuddle, and she's got one eye shut, a runny nose, and is sneezing hard

So, I put the original little coop back together (having previously dismantled it to weather-proof it) and re-arranged the leccy fence so those two are isolated from the rest.

So, guess where I'm going to spend Monday morning ...?!

[davefromthechipie]

Sounds like my neighbours hen apart from sniffly ( i never noticed that when over there ) she was off for 1 or 2 months passing small amounts of poo and runny , When they went away i took care of her hens, i put oil in the water & gave her a warm bath . It worked as she layed a rubberball egg ( I have writen this before on here about another hen ) sadly she passed away as it was little to late. But we put it down to being egg bound. Is her belly really full ? this one was and has she stoped laying ? still trying the oil water and bathing cant do any harm yet still Iv not seen a eggbound hen 'sneeze
I wish you and your hen the best and hope somtone here can help ( unlike the over priced veterinarn that seems to have a big smile on there face when you han over your card )

.

[Eyren]

Chickens are prone to the same respiratory infections as us (hence the threat from bird flu). Isolating the infected birds is a sensible first move - whether you take them to the vet or treat them yourself is up to you. I know how expensive a trip to the vet can be!

You could try some Citricidal (grapefruit seed extract) in their water - your local Holland & Barrett will probably sell it - it's a natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial, and a lot cheaper than a course of antibiotics!

I would also recommend getting some AviPro if you have sick birds - your vet should be able to sell it to you (if you do take them to the vet), or it can be bought online:

Prebiotics & Probiotics : Avipro Plus - £7.05

A 100g tub is only 7-8 quid and lasts a fair while unless you have lots of sick birds (fingers crossed that's not the case!).

[RedThorn]

((((hugs)))) Sorry to hear Glutton. What does sound worrying though is 2 now sneezing. If anyone can nurse them it's you!

If they are eggbound, take them flying with you, that'll scare the eggs out

All jokes aside, fingers crossed and hope all goes well and the vet is reasonable.

[MaureenHall]

Best of luck for your girls, I hope they get over the sneezies soon. I've got them really bad and hoping I don't pass them on to my girls

[Glutton4...]

...If they are eggbound, take them flying with you, that'll scare the eggs out ...

Cheeky beggar!

I'm just going to check on them again now, to see if either have laid today. Rosie is not happy at being separated, and tried to fly over the fence as soon as I turned the 'leccy' off!

I've given them plenty of poultry spice in their food, and put crushed garlic clove and some ACV in their drinking water. So, fingers crossed

[Hilary B]

It might be worth trying to relieve the breathing probs in a way similar to the one you would use on yourself. When they are shut in for the night put a bowl of very hot water in and add some Olbas oil or Vick Vaporub or similar (put it in something that lets the steam fill the coop but doesn't let the birds get to it).

[frias]

Sorry to hear about your poorly girls. I have found if any of mine are off colour they do hate being segregated but if they have something infectious you haven't got much choice. It might be worth a phone call to the vet. Mine is open on Sundays and doesn't charge for ex-batts. I know not everyone will be lucky enough to have a vet like this but you never know.

[Glutton4...]

My Horse's Vet would laugh his socks off if I called him for advice on a Chicken, but then he has a weird sense of humour. My Cat/Dog Vet would be very serious, but probably charge me twice as much! I'll test this theory by 'phoning them both in the morning.

Meanwhile, both girls are still perky and eating well, and since segregating the two of them I've learned that it is Rosie who lays the big round 'sandpaper-shelled' eggs!

[MaureenHall]

bet that's scratchy on the way out! One of mine occasionally lays a rough one, then she'll lay a couple of paper-thin shelled ones - don't know which one it is though

[Flummery]

Hope they perk up for you. Worrying, isn't it?

[Glutton4...]

Update on the 'Laydees;'

The two sniffly Brown ones Rosie and Scruffy, were lot better this morning, but then I noticed two White ones were showing the same symptoms! Called the Vet, and ended up taking all four over to him. They were far better behaved than I expected!

All were inspected and injected, Vet wasn't unduly worried, but they had jabs just in case, and I have to keep them segregated from the rest until the symptoms have gone. Any further 'breakout' to be treated the same way.

Total charge £25 - didn't think that was too painful

[RedThorn]

glad you weren't fleesed or is that feathered? and it's nice to have some assurances ain't it. Real chuffed for you. Fingers crossed no others start to sniffle.

[dozey1]

Hi glutton, where did you go in North Essex to the vet. My normal vet won't look after them? Hope they pull through....

[Nicos]

Interesting thread!
I've made a note of all the things to buy for my chook medicine cabinate.
Glad they are getting better.Well done!

Out of interest - are these all laying hens? When will you be able to eat the eggs again??? ( I'm presuming they had antibiotic injections???)
I suppose yu'll have to keep them seperate from the others until the eggs are OK to eat again???