Possible diagnosis of sudden death in chooks

[VirginVegGrower]

Hi Sue - well this morning I dispensed Baytril and followed it up with Nutridrops. I also made her a peeled and grated apple, oats, mash with live yoghurt. She seems brighter, am almost scared to say it...shhh! I plan to rake leaves up there today and plant two new fruit trees, so I will have them out with me for some grubbing. This afternoon they can have the obligatory corn and mealworms. Thanks once again for your advice and help...makes you feel less alone in the line of fierce battle.

[VirginVegGrower]

Have tuna in - might try that then if all else fails. What about pasta - gave Sophia Loren some curves? Might it give Sagey Baby some?

[Suechooks]

Have tuna in - might try that then if all else fails. What about pasta - gave Sophia Loren some curves? Might it give Sagey Baby some?

They do usually love pasta but there's not a lot of nutritional value in it. Probably best to keep it to a minimum or mixed with something with more protein. Also if she's not eating a great deal it might fill her up and reduce her appetite for protein based stuff.

[VirginVegGrower]

Well the little monkey is not quite as bad as I thought apart from her weight issues...I went raking, let them out of the run and next thing I know she's made a bid for freedom into the field. I have had a lovely morning scrabbling between barbed wire and chain link, under hawthorn and holly hedges. She looked so pleased with herself, little so and so. So she's confined back to run until weekend when I have more helpers.
Think I need the pasta and nutridrops.

[chucks]

BTW, not even the boldest Old Foxy will come into your garden as long as you're around. No offence meant

I would have to disagree on that point.

One of the little bu@@ers walked past me, not more than 10ft away last year. Not a care in the world the wee skitter

That said, I think it was a one off, and I wasn't that worried cos I had no chooks at the time.

[VirginVegGrower]

Sage is eating with gusto now - don't know whether it is the Nutridrops or Baytril or both. But I am mighty relieved. She still looks a tad scrawny.

[Suechooks]

Good news VVG!

[VirginVegGrower]

Indeed - couldn't have done it without your assistance. Am very grateful for pointers as always. I hope she maintains this once we are off the Baytril - we have another five days to go. Just wish she would put some chub on. She is pooping normally but I hardly dare breathe

[VirginVegGrower]

A big thank you to all on here for your guidance with not just Sagey thread but those for Rosemary and Madeline. I am hoping that I may have turned a corner with Sage although I hardly dare say it.
Huge thanks from Mr VVG and myself to those eggsperienced hensters who yet again help the helpless

[nellie-m]

concerning foxes...

I would have to disagree on that point.

One of the little bu@@ers walked past me, not more than 10ft away last year. Not a care in the world the wee skitter

Crikey!

Well, you live and learn...

[VirginVegGrower]

I'm still paranoid but I stand there with pitchfork in hand, thinking try it foxy and I will. Sage and Eloise loving their woodland setting. Tried to dig a hole for a quince today with two sets of muddy feet sat firmly inside doing the old one, two a one, two, three quickstep. I waited whilst they grubbed. Then tried to plant the tree - it too needed degrubbing - stupid me. Took over an hour

[VirginVegGrower]

OK - me again. Sage is pecking at grass, not much interest in other stuff and urates on otherwise normal poo have a creamy yellow look about them. I see that this can indicate liver failure. Today is day 10 of the Baytril and the last day. I have no idea what's happening but have a dreadful feeling that despite every effort this may not end happily. Ideas anyone?

[RichmondHens]

First of all don't panic VVG. She is allowed an off day. It is normal for the urates to have a colour cast, they don't always have to be pure white. Creamy yellow, pale orange, pinky, they are all ok. Consistency is more important than colour. If they are nice and solid then she is getting plenty of food and there is not much wrong. It's only when they go very runny, watery, smell awful (I mean really awful, over and above the normal smell) or contain obvious blood then there may be a problem. And remember they also do caecal poos which are pale brown/golden and often foamy - all perfectly normal.

10 days is also quite a long time for antibiotic cover, I've only ever had birds on Baytril for max 7 days. Like anything else, her body will need to adjust to coming off the medication so I wouldn't expect her to be "normal" for a couple of weeks at least.

[kathyd]

Fingers crossed VVG, I'm sure she'll be fine. Antibiotics can make people feel quite run down, I'm sure they can have the same effect on chickens, as RH says. My lot ate little but grass when I first got them, and they were fine on it. Please don't worry yet.

[VirginVegGrower]

First of all don't panic VVG. She is allowed an off day. It is normal for the urates to have a colour cast, they don't always have to be pure white. Creamy yellow, pale orange, pinky, they are all ok. Consistency is more important than colour. If they are nice and solid then she is getting plenty of food and there is not much wrong. It's only when they go very runny, watery, smell awful (I mean really awful, over and above the normal smell) or contain obvious blood then there may be a problem. And remember they also do caecal poos which are pale brown/golden and often foamy - all perfectly normal.

10 days is also quite a long time for antibiotic cover, I've only ever had birds on Baytril for max 7 days. Like anything else, her body will need to adjust to coming off the medication so I wouldn't expect her to be "normal" for a couple of weeks at least.

Oh thank goodness! Their poops are solid coils with the cap on top. Every so often I get the caecal poop, which I know about. Have been thinking all night that it will be another dead hen day one day this week. The vet advised 10 days - I know it's supposed to be no more than that for hens and that it can be a problem on long term antibiotics. That's why I have dosed with probiotic yoghurt, apple and oats every day.
Swear they are the best cared for and best fed in the family at the moment. I so hope we keep these two.
Thanks so much RH!