Chicken falling over

[VirginVegGrower]

No I will answer here! Sagey Baby is strutting her stuff albeit slowly, the upside of dosing her is that she is now getting used to being held. Eloise Big Bird is continuing to stuff herself. We are still dosing Baytril Day 3 today. Baycox now finished with - 2 day course. They appear to be happy on the grass and in their new coop. I know it was yet another change but they look at us as though they know we are trying to do everything to help them and their tails are up. They peck around so am thinking they are not feeling ill, but fingers are still very much crossed here.

[kathyd]

That's really good to hear, VVG . And next time I'll go to the right thread Nicos, I promise

[VirginVegGrower]

I don't think Nicos will mind. Hens are one hell of a worry aren't they?!
Nicos if you are reading, can we have some Albert stories please as I need a little light relief?!
KathyD - Albert is a Peacock Francais

[RichmondHens]

Kathy I'm sure we won't fall out, I just have a tendency to call a spade a spade.

OK, I know you took these chickens in good faith, and when it's from a friend you do overlook certain issues - I have done it myself on more than one occasion - and have to face the consequences. The obvious problem with having a deformed or abnormal bird is that it is harder to spot illness, as they behave differently from the others to start with. The other main issue is that anything abnormal will get bullied, probably more than just being bottom of the pecking order. Birds can be terribly cruel but it is nature's way of driving out the weakness in the flock. The other thing to bear in mind is quality of life. If your hen is struggling to get about (illness aside for the moment) then she may be in pain. She won't have finished growing yet and what you are seeing may just be that she is starting to not cope with her deformity. If this is the case then I do strongly recommend that you euthanase her.

In answer to your other question about isolation, it depends on the state of the bird what you do. Very weak, non eating stationary birds are best kept in a straw filled box in a shed or quiet room in your house, partially covered if necessary to keep them in the dark and therefore quiet and resting. Perkier ones that want to move about a bit and are still eating and drinking without help can go in a separate coop outside ideally a little way away from the other chickens to minimise airborne virus spread.

I can't really say what may be wrong with your hen, if anything. As I said, she may just be not coping with her deformity, or she may have an illness. Sue's suggestion of an ear infection is a possibility but sounds like in France you won't get much veterinary aid. If she does have an ear infection there will be a cheesy substance in and around her ears. Victoria Roberts (well known poultry vet in the UK) does recommend certain dog ear drops as being helpful in this case but I don't know what is available in France.

[kathyd]

They're more of a worry than the dog, the kids (still in the UK) and the hubby all rolled into one!

And yes please, Albert Stories!!

[kathyd]

Hi RH

I agree with everything you've said - oh, and in Lancashire it was a *&^ shovel, not a spade, according to my granny

At present the other birds aren't bullying her - they're sitting with her, allowing her to feed and go where she likes. One of the adults was even grooming her a bit earlier. Her sister regularly comes back to her during the day for a bit of girl time, and her brother also curls up with her during rest periods. So I'm not worried on that score - yet.

She's been coping fine up until now, but as you say it could be that she's starting to find that more difficult. My own thoughts were bigger, heavier body, weak legs, can't take the strain. But obviously that's pure guess work. In some ways I hope that's what it is - it would feel less bad to have her put down for something I know will make her life a misery. But I want to monitor it for a while and see how it goes before making any drastic decisions, unless of course she takes an obvious turn for the worse. Given her deformities and her brother's twisted toes, I'm guessing some serious in-breeding - does that sound likely?

I've looked at her head and ears, but haven't done any poking around, just an observation while she's been sitting. I couldn't see any kind of substance in her ears, or any other part of her face, but again I'll keep monitoring. Our vet seemed really nice when we took the dog in, and she spoke excellent English, so hopefully we'll get some sensible advice and support if we need to take the chickens to her. Even if it's just in line with your own .

Thx
Kathy

[VirginVegGrower]

Vets that understand hens seem to be very few and far between. Even in the UK.

[Suechooks]

Vets that understand hens seem to be very few and far between. Even in the UK.

We're very lucky that one of the girl vets in our practice was a student of Victoria Roberts and has a real interest in all birds and exotics.

[VirginVegGrower]

Time to move to Wrexham
There is supposed to be a great avian bet in Tamworth somewhere.

[Scarlet]

Have you got any picture of her Kathyd? How hunched, deformed is she?

[baldrick]

Have you got any picture of her Kathyd? How hunched, deformed is she?

Thought you were talking about Katie our lovely chicken vet for a minute!!! Hope your chooklet is OK x

[kathyd]

Have you got any picture of her Kathyd? How hunched, deformed is she?

Hi Scarlet

Her back is hunched over her tail, and her tail always turns down. I hadn't really thought about it before, but my OH suggested yesterday that she may not be able to balance properly if she can't use her tail normally. While I was feeding them yesterday I noticed that although she 'can' stand normally, she does tend to allow her legs to fold up a bit whenever she can, so she looks as though she's got really short little legs. I assume her legs get tired and folding them rests them? I don't know.

The photo shows Bums-down in front of her sister Bums-up, who appears to be a 'normal' shape.

[petal]

Sorry, but If it was one of my stock she would be put down.

[kathyd]

Well, it might still happen Petal, but I'm going to give her a fighting chance first. Unless she seems to be suffering, obviously.

[Scarlet]

Umm.. she looks like a rumpless Araucanna - with a little bit of a tail
Oh I dunno perhaps RH will shed a little light.