The Poultry Keeper

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

I have a three and a half week old chick (one of seven Sasso/Cob crosses recently obtained from a friendly smallholder). A few days ago it started to hold one of it's legs up and stood in the corner with it's eyes closed. It was able to hop painfully. Then it deteriorated and was unable to stand but was propelling itself around on its breast with it's wings. At this point I started to give it Baytril (that I had left over from another bird) 2.5 of a ml twice daily and it's condition improved after a couple of days and it is now standing but looks as though it is in pain. I took it to the vet who said that it could possibly be Septic Arthritis which meat birds are susceptible to. He said to continue with the Baytril for the Septic bit but was unable to recommend anything for the pain. I wondered if anyone might know of something. It is eating a little chick crumb and I give it extra fluid every few hours.

Magpie · Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 667 Location: Norfolk

There is nothing licensed for pain relief in poultry AFAIK except culling but I know Metacam has been recommended in the past. I think it is the dog version, one drop per day straight into its beak.

Tim

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

As this is a meat bird, I would cull now rather than fill it with antibiotics on the off chance of survival. As it gets heavier, the arthritis will become more painful (septic or otherwise), so it would need to be on painkillers until slaughter.

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Thanks for the advice. She (it) is brighter but still limping so I'm going to persevere for a little while longer. I've got some Metacam and will try a teeny dose, I know it's quite a nasty medication for the stomach so it's only going to be a short course.

Elly · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 356 Location: Norfolk

Any arthritis is extremely painful and I would not want anyone/thing to suffer it without pain relief Sad

Warmth is great for painful joints, but how you would do that with a small chick I dont know Confused

Warm melted wax is great for stiff fingers Wink

If the chick is to be reared for meat I'm not sure I would want to fill it with medications, but thats a personal choice Smile

I hope the chick recovers quickly, if not maybe culling would be kindest Confused

Keep smilin
Elly

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Thanks Elly, still persevering with Antibiotics and now Metacam. It seems to be improving, cross fingers. I've turned their heat lamp up a bit to compensate as it's a bit colder now. When I told the smallholder what the vet had said about it being "septic arthritis" he said "oh yea and where did he get that one from then"! That sort of sums up how we feel about vets that don't know chicken stuff.

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: Cornwall

Another case of someone prolonging an animals suffering.

It needs culling, its not going to improve and the pain its suffering must be horrendous.

Most vets now zilch about poultry, and to keep it hanging on is just cruel.

Elly · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 356 Location: Norfolk

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: Cornwall

Arthritis in mammals (us included) is a lot easier to control than in birds. Most people just cull the bird so it doesnt suffer.

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Thanks Elly. I must say pekinout, that was a bit harsh. I always give my animals at least a chance. I hadn't even got halfway through the antibiotic course when you wrote and despite the pessimism I am glad to say that she is very much better and walking around almost as good as new. It might not have been arthritis, she might have caught her foot or leg on something. I'm glad I persevered.

Elly · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 356 Location: Norfolk