Sick chicken, will leave one alone if she dies

[Equiem]

One of my ex-battery hens has been on "palliative" care and anti-inflammatory medicatiom for almost 2 weeks now and had been absolutely fine up until this morning (she even laid a proper shelled egg the other day). But now, she isn't leaving the coop, is puffed up and isn't eating at all. I think she passed a mucussy poop (I'm at work so can't inspect it myself so my mum sent me a photo)

Last week, one of my other chickens became very unwell and had to be put to sleep and now I'm worrying this one will die too and then will leave one chicken by herself!

I'm adopting 4 more ex-battery hens at the end of the month but now I'm worried about her having to be alone until Feb 24th and then it will be 4 against 1.

I'm doing all I can for these chickens and they keep dying the egg production industry is appalling.
I'm going to feed her meds tonight and probably some recovery food which can be made into a liquid. She isn't eating anything by herself - no scrambled egg, no cheese. Nothing. And I can't get her to the vets until Tuesday so I will do whatever I can to keep her as comfortable as possible. But I'm also worrying about having a lone chicken for 2 weeks

 

[SilkiesnFrizzle]

Don't beat yourself up dear. Your giving those birds a little bit of happiness after years of being a battery hen.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you get some Harkers Coxoid or Amprol to treat for possible coccidiosis? Or take in some droppings to a vet to check for coccidiosis or worms? Flubenvet is good for worming when put in the food for a week. Sorry about your hen, but they are very prone to reproductive and intestinal diseases.

 

[Equiem]

Can you get some Harkers Coxoid or Amprol to treat for possible coccidiosis? Or take in some droppings to a vet to check for coccidiosis or worms? Flubenvet is good for worming when put in the food for a week. Sorry about your hen, but they are very prone to reproductive and intestinal diseases.

They were wormed mid January on flubenvet! I am very aware of the issues as I've had everything wrong under the sun with my girls. It was like a crash course in chicken keeping!

I've had updates saying she has been much better this afternoon so will keep an eye on her!

 

[micstrachan]

Hopeful for your hen. What are the temperatures like where you are? She might benefit from having access to extra warmth, like a heating pad.

 

[Equiem]

Hopeful for your hen. What are the temperatures like where you are? She might benefit from having access to extra warmth, like a heating pad.

Weather wise is above freezing - it's currently 6°C at 8.30am and mid-end of the week it's expected to be highs of 12°C which is fairly good for the UK. It is drizzly with rain though

 

[Equiem]

Update:
She came out of the coop this morning and didn't stay in all puffed up. Although, her crop hasn't properly emptied so I've given her a previously prescribed (for her) gut stimulant in hopes it will shift what's left in her crop.

 

[Equiem]

Don't beat yourself up dear. Your giving those birds a little bit of happiness after years of being a battery hen.

Thank you! I know, and I'm glad they got to experience a good dust bath, sunbathing, lots of veggie treats and mostly love. It's just heartbreaking to think that I may only have one left on their years anniversary!

 

[micstrachan]

You are wonderful. I hope to rescue laying hens later on. How did she do today?

 

[Ribh]

Im so sorry. One of the drawbacks of doing rescue hens. I had about 8 & all of a sudden they dropped like flies. Figured years of abuse had done for them but @ least they had a great finish.