The Poultry Keeper

Bhindi

Morning,

I have been having to force feed my lovely Matriarch Bella, now to eat for over 1 week. The only symptoms she had was a lack of desire to eat/drink. Each day she was happy to toddle up 100' and sit for the day in there favourite gathering place. When I've fed her she has always put up a healthy fight of resistance. She has in between been willing to eat a few little bits herself, (fish, egg, blueberries), so I didnt feel bad about getting pellets in her. I have been trying to get her to see the only uselful poultry type vet, but hes only been available for an appt. this monday. As she is not wobbly or loosing colour in her face, I was hoping it was just a case of building her up to face life again. As a consequence to my feeding, her poo's were becoming more structured, though still quite diminutive, as I havent got a lot in her.

Anyway.. last night, just before the others took themselves of to bed she put herself out of reach under the pop hole shelf, (for those who recall my pics), and snuggled down. I watched her for ages and she did strange things, like pecking the air, and moving her head like she was looking around, though her eyes were closed. I had decided then that she must have decided she was 'going' and wanted to be alone. ( just before she snuggled down she had taken of her own accord a few sips of carrot juice, and had a brief preen. (is that giving up behaviour). I had a weep as I hated leaving her like that all alone, but in the end Geoff went out and put her in a cat box, and placed her next to the nest boxes . This morning my broody marans has climbed in next to her and they are both cosy in the box. The broody I am trying to break, but have only had a half hearted attempt at this stage, as Bella has taken my every thought and energy, but so far I have not let her have the luxury of the box for the day.... but today I am tempted to just let her be, for Bella's sake, is that wrong?.. do you think Bella needs to be on her own as thats what she arranged last night.

My other quandary is do I stop feeding Bella, and let her go.. I just don't know what I should do. I had hoped even though I foolishly sobbed myself to sleep last night, that she would be gone this morning. But now I have another day to anguish over her.

She is a Black Rock just over 5years, has not layed an egg, since year one, but has always been a very healthy girl.

Opinions gratefully recieved,

Thanks.

sunnyside · Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 255 Location: Birmingham

I know its very hard but if she is not improving and quality of life gone then really you should let her go.but she should be dispatched either at home or at vets not left to die slowly.its kindest thing to do. sorry .

nigel

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 765 Location: Nottinghamshire

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3455 Location: Monmouthshire

It's the down side of poultry keeping. We all have to make that decision at some time and I have to say that once made, I carry it out asap. If you can't do it yourself, then I'm afraid it is a trip to the vet ("the march to the gallows" in the rather grim humour of my late Mother).

CP · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 2:58 am Post subject:

Oh Bhindi, I'm so sorry about your poor Bella. Crying or Very sad

I wonder if she was just too weak to go & roost properly, but sounds like she enjoyed the other hen's company in the box.

I've 'force-fed' chickens with a syringe in the past & it ain't that easy & you can never give them as much as they would normally eat themselves.

Difficult decision to make Crying or Very sad

but I don't think you should just stop feeding her as she will starve to death if she lasts long enough.

Bhindi · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 8:36 am Post subject:

Bella is off to the vets today at 12, I will let him determine her fate. She is reasonably bright today still, but has been most of the time. I did stop force feeding her, but she was taking the odd blueberry, a couple of worms, and a few sips of her beloved carrot juice. I spose I feel as long as she continues to take the odd item, she's not giving up herself! She isn't wobbly, and is quite comfortable to stand for 10minutes at least. I put her in my greenhouse this morning and she has nibbled quite a lot of lettuce. Normally I discourage lettuce eating, but if its what she fancy's, I don't feel I should stop her. I've got no end of beneficial herbs in there but she won't touch them. She's also enjoyed drinking the run of water on the plants in the greenhouse. So she still has intrests.

I feel I've been here before with my Bhindi, and she was definately more poorly, and I did succesfully get her through. But Bella is a few more years advanced so that isn't on my side.

Oh well.. will keep you informed.. thanks everyone for your comments.x

Bhindi · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject:

Bella is no more Crying or Very sad

The vet discovered two satsuma sized tumours inside her, he said they were probably what caused her to stop laying 4 years ago, and that they were just slow growing. I was pleased to hold her to the very end, but boy does it hurt.

These tumours are the price we pay for our desire to have 'more' eggs, but I'm curious to know if they are still relatively frequent in pure breeds.

I think I'm begining to dread taking my cats for their annual boosters, (as thats what we also did at the vets), and what I did May last year when I took my lovely hen Peggy to be euthanased.

We have buried Bella (deep) under my apple tree, its quite strange to have 220' of garden but in my mind didn't have many places suitable for her... (as I don't like the thought of walking over her)

debcat · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject:

really sorry Bhindi Sad

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3455 Location: Monmouthshire

We always bury our dead pets under the big apple tree. It was a mature standard when we moved here 42 years ago, and still flourishes, so apples appreciate being used as grave markers.

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2620 Location: South Cumbria

so sorry (((Hugs)))

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 765 Location: Nottinghamshire

So sorry.

CP · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject:

Really sorry Bhindi. Crying or Very sad

(((hugs)))

Dusty · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 935 Location: St. Asaph

So sorry

NannyP · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject:

(((((((Claire)))))