Well a short while ago I spotted Hercule staggering around the chicken yard. I picked him up and checked the chicken house and sure enough he'd manage to eat a circle through the barriers I'd put up and got into about 3" diameter circle of that insulation. I moved him in with a sick hen. She didn't want to be with him so I tried to move her back into the flock but that only got her attacked by all the roos so I got her out of there fast and back to the cage where she now seemed much happier to share space with one roo.
Hercule's weight is good so he hadn't been ill very long.
btw what kind of chicken has iridescent blue feathers in the tail? Hercule has some. I suspect he's a hybrid of at least two breeds if not more.
MollyD
Hercule is ill
Molly I am soory he is sick. I have no experience in what to do for him. Hopefully some of the eggsperts will come along soon.
Sheila
Thank you Sheila. He's resting comfortably in a large dog kennel right now with a sick hen.
MollyD
What kind of insulation? If it is the styrofoam type he might just have an impaction. How does his crop feel?
Catscan his crop felt normal. It's the styrofoam panel insulation.
MollyD
owww.. I wish I had some kind of advice.. but I would be guessing.. I hope he is ok...
Keep us posted.
Is he pooping normally?
Oh no Molly, he's that handsome roo from your other posting - I liked him so much! I do hope he gets better soon. Keep us posted.
Hang in there Molly. I don't know what advice to give, but I'll be checking back to hear how he's doing.
i would detox him and give him immune boosters.. if you have a store with teas, try some kind of echinacea tea and also dandleion tea. brew as usual, put in his water...
;hopiong fo rthe best outcoem
Thanks guys. This morning he's pretty much the same. Staggers like a drunken sailor but at least wasn't lying down. He's eating well which is a good thing too. The little hen has relaxed around him now that she knows he isn't going to attack her so she is company for him. They stimulate each other to eat.
TF I'll check our supermarket and see if they've got any echinacea tea. I'll look for the dandelion tea but that's a long shot. Is it something I can make from dandelions? We've got tons of those around.
Seems to be a bad chicken week here. When I walked into the chicken house this morning I found a large NH roo hanging by one leg from a wire shelf. I don't know how long he hung there but he looked dazed. I got him down and took him out to give him water since I figured he was dehydrated at the very least. While I was doing that Hansel and Gretel decided my feathers needed grooming. I hadn't combed my hair and it was loose. I usually have it in a pony tail to keep it out of my eyes. Well they began picking up a mix of mud and water and gently applying it to my hair while making these very soothing sounds. I figure they were saying they would make it better. While they were doing that I got the roo watered and massaged his leg and thigh. I could tell when he felt better cause he seem to come to with a start and squawking hopped away. I saw some roos going after him to attack so I kicked some feathered butts (not too hard!) and they left him alone. I checked a while ago and he must have been better cause I couldn't see any roo limping or hopping.
It's been a long morning already! Just getting some breakfast so I can go out and check up on Hercule again. Yep I got the mud out of my hair already!
MollyD
Yes, you could make your own brew. You might want to post a request for instructions here: [herbalist forum]
http://members.boardhost.com/bluemoon/
what a day you have had! fyi i generally find herbal teas in the brand name Traditional Medicinals, in case you could ask your grocer to carry them...
Thanks TF I'll check out that brand and see what they say on that list. This morning Hercule is still shaky on his legs but his appetite is good.
MollyD
Keep truckin' Molly. Sounds like your boy is pulling through!
Thanks grownut. I just posted on that link TF gave me for a dandelion tea recipe to see if that gets his system cleaned up.
In fact I might just give it to the whole flock.
MollyD
Great sign, Molly! Hope he continues to get stronger.
Thanks Sue!
Well I made his dandelion tea which he will get tomorrow morning. On the suggestions from the herbal experts I fed him dandelion leaves. He scarfed those up real fast. So did Little Hen. Hercule is having trouble standing now. I'm worried he's on the slide downward that last rooster took :-(
MollyD
I think some one used the term impacted which I can only assume means blocked up... have you noticed if he's passing stool normally or at all? I mean do you think he's poisoned or blocked up?
Good luck with the dandelion tea and keep us posted... you know there's a bunch of us out there that are concerned. :-S
Thanks Lazy_Ladies. His stool is normal. I think his system is poisoned by the stuff in the insulation.
MollyD
di dyou try somehow emptying his crop?
TF no I didn't try that since he was pooping normally. I'm getting very worried. I fed him a bunch of dandelions last night and again this morning. He's now down with his legs stretched out sideways. Not good. I think I'm going to move him and Little Hen into a smaller kennel where it's easier to reach him.
MollyD
oh, Molly I'm sorry he's taken a turn. Poor guy. Hoping this is only temporary...saying a little prayer for him to get stronger.
Sue
i'm really sorry molly ;-(
Thanks Sue, Thanks TF. He's one of my favorites so you know this is hurting. :-(
MollyD
Oh Molly, that's very sad. I hope if it is his time, that he will be comforted by your being there for him. Peaceful thoughts to both of you.
Claire
Thanks Claire.
Hercule is still down even though he has consumed vast quantities of dandelions. He now does not get up at all.
Yesterday (I think it was) someone posted a link to toxic plants page. On that page dollseyes were listed as causing paralysis. Paul went into the chicken yard this morning and found a dolls eyes plant in there. We got to wondering if that's the cause instead of the insulation. Does anyone know if there is a treatment for dolls eyes? TF?
MollyD
I have at least heard of cases where poison has been passed through their systems effectively. Believe it has something to do with keeping them washed out and processing and keeping them from stiffening up. Does he allow you to handle him enough to manipulate his legs? Is he still eating and drinking well enough that that is not a worry? Sorry I can't be of any help.
Molly - I googled away and only found that anything which had eaten this should be continually provided with intestinal protectants until it had passed through the system completely. Hopefully you'll be hearing from the Queens of Coop and Feather.
He is eating and drinking very well but he hollers when you touch his legs like it hurts. The last rooster hit by this went through the same phases as Hercule till we put him down after 6 weeks without any progress and only an increase in the pain levels.
MollyD
so srry. this sounds like something the herbalist group could help with.... some type of rescue antidote, colon cleanse, perhaps even bentonite clay???
http://members.boardhost.com/bluemoon/
;-(
tf
Thanks tf.
MollyD
Just wanted to let all those who watched the saga of Hercule Poirot that this evening we sent him over the Rainbow Bridge. It was too difficult watching him suffer. With the help of DG friends we established that what affected Hercule and the others who had died wasn't poisoning but rather Mareks. That's a deadly incurable virus. Some chickens survive a bout of it but they become carriers for the disease for the rest of their lives. A simple vaccination at the hatchery would have saved all of them. We will never buy another chick that hasn't been vaccinated.
MollyD
I am so sorry--Hercule made a great impact in his short life. He was lucky to have you there to make his life as great as it was.
I was at the feed store today and a woman was asking if the chicks they were selling had been vaccinated for Marek's at the hatchery. The staff said no--then the woman helping me started to make a comment about why Marek's was so common--then stopped herself and said she better not say anything. Makes me think I better ask for the vaccination in all my incoming hatchery chicks.
Oh Molly, I'm so sorry to hear about Hercule. He was so handsome. The only silver lining I can see is that now you have taught all of us a good lesson, and we will learn from it. I am sorry it had to be that way, though.
What can be done for adult chickens who are not vaccinated? Anything?
Thanks for the post, Molly. And very sorry about Hercule. I HATE learning lessons like that. You were brave.
I'll check into the Marek's. Do you have any idea where it came from?
Molly, I am sorry to hear the little guy is gone.. I feel better knowing ME has a buddy.. she too flew over today, but on her own wings.. took a nap this morning and never woke up.
She lived much longer than she should have and gave us double yolkers to boot.. and If I could I would have cornish X's all the time. There is always those special few that really pull the heartstrings.
gee Molly, my deepest sympathies... my Floppy died today as well. He can teach hercules how to clown around.
What is Marek's and how to vaccinate on your own? What about hatching your own chicks, should they be vaccinated?