The Poultry Keeper

tippy555 · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

Hi I have just joined this forum, hope you can help, I have a hen (2years old ) she is so sweet lovely colour also Black with tan markings, a few days a go she seems to be squatting and walking like a duck (feet turning in) as she walks and a really back end almost dragging on the floor!! she has always had a big backend but, um don,t know and it feels sqashy,she,s not laying (she did last year in the spring) she is feeding but is a little slow/and stays around one part of the garden not following the others(my vet again do not want to know unless you have more than 50!! ) she still seems bright enough but I am worried about her,I have 9 hens one cockeral... Thank you for your time Sad

mojo · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:36 pm Post subject:

sorry got no quik fix suggest you seperate her .maybe into a box...........and watch her carefully for a day or so wash the rearend with warm water dry well and feel Gently for any egg related problems..........give ACV in water at 2% and a few treats to keep her eating .......good luck.

Lisa · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 7:31 pm Post subject:

Sorry to hear you have a poorly chook. I've been through a simillar experience myself with a hen that had developed a wide, soft bottom and didn't come back into lay after moulting. Sadly, despite the help of a friendly vet, my hen didn't make it. If you use the search, and search on "Ninja" you'll find threads about her - one thread here...

A post mortem on my hen showed she had a tumour on her digestive system. Of course there must be more than one cause for these kind of symptoms, but I have to say the cases I've heard of have not had happy outcomes (I think Knobby has also had a hen simillar problems?)

What I would add though is when I was researching on the internet, a couple of conditions initially come up for the symptoms: ascites and egg yolk peritonitis. But apparantly both of these are conditions where the hen goes downhill very quickly, in a matter of days. So if that's not happening, I think you can rule them out.

Wish I could say something more positive... Sad

If she were mine, I would give her lots of TLC and healthy stuff - at least then if her body can heal itself, it will.

Fingers crossed - wishing you well for you and your hen.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Welcome to the forum Tippy555, sorry you had to join under sad circumstances. I'm very sorry to hear about your girl not being well and yet again vets letting backyard poultry keepers down. I would follow the excellent advice you've already been given, but if you are still worried tomorrow, persevere with phoning round for a vet.

tippy555 · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

Hi, Thank you for the quick replies,sorry to be dum! mojo but what is A.C.V?..do i have to put her by her self? I did think it was it might have been egg what,s it! oh dear I don,t want to take her to the vet if I find one ! as the last hen I took about 2yrs ago was so stressed out she died in the box in the car!! ..thank-you anyway Cheers Sad

tippy555 · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

just a quick thingy, I took her on speck to the vets because I was sure they would see her ...I phoned them about 1 year ago for a different hen thats when they said they would only come out to 50,

Ben · Moderator Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 1346

A V C equals Apple Cider Vinger I think Wink

tippy555 · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

Oh right

I had a look at Ninja, it does sound like it a a tumor oh heck!! I will phone the vets again and see if they will see me ..it is an animal after all!! angryfire

they charge enough!! ,sorry to be an pain ...I have another hen ..she is 5yrs old and she just latly swaying and sitting on her back hocks again she still eats and walks beit swaying as if shes drunk? I love my hens they all have different ways ..but I don,t know I semm to be having a lot of things wrong with them two older ones (4/5) are a bit lame, too I have 5 out of 9 that are well they seem ok, they have the run of the garden 1/3 acre, two hen houses to choose from fresh water. grain in the morns+ what they nick off the wild birds (dropping out of the hanging boxes) and sweetcorn,bread, any left overs ,,I must be doing somthing wrong ,my partener says I spoil them ..over done maybe??? I have kept hens for 5 yrs so soooooooooorry to be going on to much Embarassed

cheers

Lisa · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:54 pm Post subject:

I think sometimes you have to hunt down a good chicken vet Confused

There is one at my practise that I feel is on the same wave length as me - the others either admit they don't have a clue, or think "its only a chicken" so why not give up and get another one... Persevere and find a good 'un and then don't let 'em go Wink

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons website should help you find vets in your area. Then its a case of ringing round to try to find a good one. Or maybe if you can give an idea of the area you're in there might be someone else local to you on the forum who could recommend a good chicken vet for you?

Regards the others, its always difficult to say... best thing is a diagnosis from a good vet. I am wondering what sort of hens you have? Like all animals hens don't live for ever, and sadly hybrids don't live as long as traditional breeds, even with the best of care... Sad

If they are hybrids, then maybe, sorry to say, but maybe old age is catching up with them?? Just a thought... Confused

Re the food - as long as the "extras" they have access to are part of a varied, sensible diet, then I don't think they should be a problem. If they have access to a large garden then they should have ample access to greens (grass) etc. Just remember "variety is the key" and "moderation in all things". Just like us Wink

tippy555 · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

Thank-you Liza, ..it,s just good to talk to people who are on the same wave lengh as me ..so glad I found this site!!most of the chickens I have are all pure breeds I was given two (who are,nt ) saved them in a way,and yes they have the run of the garden which is nearly all grass!!..and if they see me in the garden ..digging the veg patch (which I did a bit today ...worms etc: so their food is varied!!...ans also have dust bath,s under the conifers.dry i surpose for them, I shall phone round let you know thank you to everone who has given me help!!

CP · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 11:20 pm Post subject:

Good luck with your search for a poultry vet. Wink

I hope your hens get better soon. Let us know what happens.

rubychik · Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 11:56 pm Post subject:

whereabouts in Wales are you Tippy?

fenwoman · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:42 pm Post subject:

tippy555 · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

Hi All,sorry I have taken so long in getting back ...You will not belive this but she seems to be better!! not as full in the backend (she is a large hen anyway ) but she is running again!! and seems."better" in herself!! ..and the other one (drunk) is not staggering about but walking in a straight line not falling over?not a sign ...is this the calm before the storm?? oh i hope not it,s been about 4days fingers cross... ..the vets um have to see about that I shall try again ..as it was a 3 yrs ago I better find out a few facts frist thanks anyhow!..I live in Wrexham,rubychick, thanks again every one

Lisa · Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:50 pm Post subject:

That does sound positve news - I do hope their recovery continues!