We were devastated when we lost Ginny.
I noticed we had a drop in eggs, but the girls all looked healthy. It wasn't until their monthly DE dusting that I noticed how light Ginny had become. She was always lighter that the others, but was the top of pecking order and my best layer. She felt much lighter than before. I monitored her for the rest of that day and next and realized she wasn't eating or drinking. I immediately worried what it could be. I had not long wormed the girls with Flubenvet and give them an array of herbal remedies, but something was wrong. I separated her from the others (just in case it was contagious) and put her in the shed with extra bedding and covers to keep her warm, then I began researching. Heading straight to the forums and taking advice from friends I thought she must me egg bound. So I treated he as though she was, however, I could feel any egg in her at all and she hadn't laid in quite a few days, when they are bound they normal don't last that long. I was monitoring all her poop, checking for worms, blood, changes. I didn't know what to do. I gave her natural yogurt and scrambled eggs, she ate small bits and was drinking a little. Two days into her 'hospital treatment' I was left this an ultimatum, let her continue suffering, try to find a vet (one that doesn't class poultry as exotic and demand payment in the form of limbs) or carry on with the R&R and see if she pulls through. I took to Facebook to ask for advice, the consensus was to hang on and see how she gets on. I decided I would do that, since I knew she was having water and little bits of food so she wasn't starving to death. The next morning I went out to her and she had passed not long before I got up, she had her eyes closed and was all curled up in her sleeping position. I really hope in the end she wasn't suffering. I think that I could have done more to help her. It must have been an infection, If only I had some antibiotics to have given her, I feel like that might have worked. It's not fair that you have to go to the vet and pay upwards of £90 and they might not even be able to tell you. In the end I think that having given her antibiotics whether it helped or not wouldn't have been bad. In future I will pursue it much quicker, in fact I may try to get my hands on some before I need it.
UPDATE-
After writing this post I have registered all my girls at two vets that not only look after chickens, but also don't cost the world and were fantastic on the phone giving me the names of all their chicken specialist. I can't help but think If only I have tried a little harder with Ginny she would still be with us! Gutted! I have also super stocked up the girls herbal remedies, probiotics and tonics to keep them looking and feeling great.
RIP Ginny girl we will miss you.
