QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

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bluebell
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QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by bluebell »

Sooner or later we come across a hen which shows signs of being unwell. The nature of hens is that they may be ill for some time before showing signs, its part of their 'genetics' that they mask illness to discourage predators from picking them off.

Symptoms of having an unwell hen can range from them being hunched up, head down, eyes closed, not moving, not eating or drinking, passing unusual faeces, not laying or laying unusual eggs, etc. More serious symptoms are going to be paralysis, hen having difficulty breathing, fitting, hen having accident resulting in broken limbs, deep wounds requiring stitching, prolapsing.

If you suspect your hen is unwell you have to make your mind up if you have the experience to deal with the illness, decide if you have any ideas what the problem could be and then decide if you can resolve or if you need the services of a vet.

Trying to work out what is wrong with your hen is detective work - ask yourself is your hens digestive system working properly (hen eating and drinking, crop functioning properly, hen passing normal faeces. Next hens breathing - hen not gaping (beak open and rapid 'breathing'), comb and wattles and mucus membranes looking pink, not dark red or even blue. Has your hen got any sign of ecto or endo parasites (worms, lice, mites, fleas, ticks). Remind yourself when they last had treatment against these parasites. Does your hen have a full range of movement, able to walk, no signs of injury to legs, wings, etc. Any paralysis, discharges loss of blood.

By now you should have an idea, at least, of what the problem could be and this is the time to decide - can you treat or do you need assistance of vet.

Hope this helps someone. I'm sure I've overlooked something here, but having one of those nights where I cannot sleep and just rattling on DTL. )t'
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perchy
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Re: Questions to Ask - Poorly Hens

Post by perchy »

Brilliant Bluebell, thanks )t'
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by LynneP »

Well said, this is a comprehensive list. Funny, I was on my blog putting some things together for some 4-H poultry members and you've jogged my memory to some needed items- thank you!
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manda
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by manda »

Great post Bluebell...the only thing I would add is if the others are picking on the hen too...as you said....

its part of their 'genetics' that they mask illness to discourage predators from picking them off.
.....
or the others in the flock (because we know what little demons they can be!!) one sign of weakness and they use this to change their position in the pecking order so it can be a good sign that all is not well.
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bluebell
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by bluebell »

Thanks for your comments, girls! )t'

Another thing to mention is if anyone decides they need a vet to see their hen, remember there is an announcement at the top of this page to help anyone in UK to find a vet who has experience of dealing with poultry regularly.
http://www.freshstartforhens.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Helping to give ex-battery hens a fresh start!

http://thevintagebelles.blogspot.co.uk/
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perchy
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by perchy »

bluebell wrote:Thanks for your comments, girls! )t'

Another thing to mention is if anyone decides they need a vet to see their hen, remember there is an announcement at the top of this page to help anyone in UK to find a vet who has experience of dealing with poultry regularly.



I have used the announcement, it was such a relief to get a list within seconds, and fortunately we have a great poultry vet within a ten minute walk from me, brilliant )t'
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Mo
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by Mo »

bluebell wrote:
Another thing to mention is if anyone decides they need a vet to see their hen, remember there is an announcement at the top of this page to help anyone in UK to find a vet who has experience of dealing with poultry regularly.


I read the posts by clicking 'unread posts' first, so I had to hunt for that list. It is at the top of this category (which is easy to find if you are reading this, just click the 'return to poultry health' at the bottom of the page)
Hey, )c( there are 2 within 15 mins drive (but not the chap I take the cat to)
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ma larkin
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by ma larkin »

Fantastic post Bluebell, thank you {hug} )t'
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bluebell
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by bluebell »

Thank you! )t'
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Helping to give ex-battery hens a fresh start!

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henryetta
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by henryetta »

Hi, i think that my hens have got bhronchitius. They are all rally weezy and snoty. In the last week i have lost 3 girls! I found my favourite lucy this afternoon, they are still laying however i am getting more and more worried, because i don't want them to suffer. My father in law who is co owner of the hens said that "it's just a cold". Is this right? I hope you can help as i am really worried.


Henryetta }hairout{ }hairout{
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Casnz10
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by Casnz10 »

Henryetta I think you need to get your chooks to a vet, I lost a beautiful Orpington (I did get them to a vet but they didn't get the meds they needed straight away as the vet tried other antibiotics then told me I couldn't expect them to be symptom free so I accepted they still had a cough which ended up fatal {cry} , eventually I took them to another vet and they were given tylan antibiotics which has got rid of the infection) nearly ended up losing another one that was really ill but she pulled through. I really think they need some medication before the rest are too weak to fight it, only my opinion, these girls amaze me they carry on laying when they're really poorly which makes us think they're ok when they're not.
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by Steve the Gas »

Cas is spot on Tylan =ABs = vets. )t'
lulie999
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by lulie999 »

hi does anyone know of bubble foot my lovly girl has a very sore foot, im bathing in salt water and spraying with savlon anyone help pleeeeese !!!!!! )hlp>
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by wendy »

Bumblefoot usually happens when bacteria gets into a wound. Very often battery hens will come out of the cages with it. As they live on wire and that damages the foot.
To start with a part of the foot, often between the toes or underneath is swollen and angry looking. As time goes by a black callous like thingy comes on the damaged area.
You need to get the pus out and the hen needs anti biotics. My girls always have baytril and the vet usually lifts the callous and gets out as much as possible.
When I get home, I bring them in door,with another hen for company, and keep the foot clean, by bandaging. A soak in hot, salt water a couple of times a day and then put some kind of poultice to draw out then poison.
I hope this helps. But you do need to take to a vet, to be sure it is bumblefoot and for some AB's
Wendy
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Re: QUESTIONS TO ASK - POORLY HENS

Post by Steve the Gas »

Welcome )t'

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