What to do to help a chicken who looks bright but doesn't move or eat very much

[LisaH]

It was difficult doing the title for this post. One of our three ex bat chickens has been unwell for a few days. She isn't her usual self at all. Keeps sitting or laying down and is lethargic. I have taken her to vets who gave her anti biotics as they said she probably had an infection (runny poo and some blood) and fed her by tube for the day. She looked a bit brighter when I picked her up and they gave me some recovery food which I fed the next day but still not much change, only pecking at food a couple of times and sticking beak in water. She is now (Thursday) still looking bright - as bright as a chicken can look when not moving but she is not really eating even doesn't want to take a syringe of this food either, though she has eaten a couple of crushed dog biscuits and cranberries (dried) which she seems to like. She is still not well and I don't know what to do-is it kinder to take her to vets to put her to sleep or can she survive happily like this-I doubt it?! We've had these ex bats for 15 months. Please help many thanks

[frias]

Sorry that your first post is quite a sad one. It doesn't sound good does it. I always let the vet decide when to do the deed as couldn't do it myself. If she has been out of the cage for 15 months she's done quite well and had 15 months of being a proper chicken which she might not have had if you hadn't rescued her.
Richmondhens might be along in a minute with some advice but it does sound as if you have tried everything already.

[RichmondHens]

I agree with frias. 15 months from release for an ex batt is a good time. They are not bred to last these little hens, all their energy goes into their first year of laying and it takes its toll on their system. Occasionally you get one or two that are more robust than others but the majority are spent in a couple of years. Sounds like it is time to let her go, sorry.

[Feral007]

No advice, just sympathy.

[LisaH]

Thank you so much for all the replies she (Kiev) I thought was the hardiest of all three or so I thought. I took her back to vets this morning as she wasn't looking good but still dipping her beak in water to drink but not eating anything without force feeding-even her favourite crushed dog biscuits and cranberries
I thought I would leave it to the vet to decide and wanted to give her another chance so agreed to antibiotic injection and one to make her 'a bit brighter' - by the time I got her in the car she had died poor thing - not the vet's fault at all he said she probably had an enteritis type bug but so sad...they (chickens) certainly have personality and creep into your heart like any other pet, thanks again - I will be back

[LisaH]

Thank you this was very helpful

[LisaH]

Thank you for taking the time to get back to me v helpful