Eggbound hen - am I crazy to pay a vet $150?

[ace6175]

My favorite hen is eggbound. I have been able to feel the egg for 6 days now. I tried everything to get it out - baths, oatmeal with calcium, I tried to pull it out myself. I couldn't see the egg, so I couldn't break it & try to get all the shell out. The vet is going to charge me about $150 to do that (and possibly give her antibiotics, etc). She has been ok so far, but tonight, her crop isn't full when they all perched, so I know she's starting to go downhill. She is the only tame hen that I have, and I don't want her to die, but either way she may not make it. She definitely won't make it unless that egg comes out. Am I crazy to pay that money? There's a place where they will process chickens for $4......

 

[duckyfromoz]

I once saw a sick drake at a market. I bought it and took it straight to a vet. Harvey cost me over $1000 in vet bills- But he is still alive and very happy today. No- you arent crazy for taking this hen to a vet if it may save her life if you can afford to pay that price. If it means you cant pay the rent/ mortgage or bills or buy food for the table- them maybe you should reconsider what the real options are.

I know we cant always save them all- but im sure we always do the best we can with the resources available to us.

 

[HeatherLynn]

If you can afford to do so, then no I do not think its crazy. This is not just an egg layer to you. Its a pet. Pets are family so we take care of them as such.

If you cannot afford to do so. If it will take more than doing without your starbucks, mcdonalds, new shoes or something equally unvital then you may need to consider a humane end.

 

[seminolewind]

I say do it. Nothing wrong with caring. My chickens are pets as much as any pets, and I love all of mine. I look at it this way, I will just end up at heaven's gate broke, which is okay with me.

 

[Mahonri]

You asked for point of views, well here is one that will be contrary to the current flow.

There is no guarantee that even a vet will be able to fix the hen.

If it were my hen, as tough as it would be, I would be culling it.

 

[jennh]

I spent $85 on one of my girls. She had bumblefoot. The vet did NOTHING

He wouldn't even help me clean it out! $85 for nothing!!!!
I wouldn't break the egg though. That could kill her. Did you try squirting a little oil up there to see if that doesn't help? I had an egg bound hen , and someone had told me to that, that it helps it slide out. It didn't work for me, but maybe it would for you?

Jen

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
Mahonri, discuss this point of view with your chickens and let me know what they say....

 

[Kittymomma]

No, you're not crazy. I wouldn't do it, but my chooks are somewhere in between livestock and pets and there is no budget for vet visits for the chickens. If it was one of mine I would treat as best I could at home and if it was not effective and she was suffering with little chance of getting better I would cull her.

If you can spend the money on the vet and would feel better going that route then you should do it. If you decide not to either because of financial considerations or because even with the vet the prognosis is not good and you don't want to put either of you thru that then you should cull. Either way you will make the decision that is best for your situation and it will be the right one.

Thought I posted this, but I guess it didn't go thru. Sorry you're having to go thru this, it does seem like it's always our favorites that get ill or injured.

 

[KKatknap]

I agree with the "if you can afford it, it isn't crazy" idea. I also believe that you shouldn't pay it with the rent money.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Sammimom]

If it is your pet, I would certainly do it! An animal's "value" is determined by it's owner, not by what it is. I would also spend money on our hens, they are all friendly pets and worth that to me. For others, the hen might not be worth that, and that's fine too, it only matters what she is worth to YOU.