The sickly hen
Had a bit of a shock yesterday afternoon when I went to give the hens their corn (they get this an hour or two before bedtime). Pandora, the Sussex, emerged from the stable with the remains of soft-shelled eggs hanging down, and a prolapsed oviduct.
What, my husband asked later, did I do? First I went and fetched a helpful child. Then I fetched another helpful but less squeamish child - son, who did an excellent job of holding and soothing hen. He really is very good with animals. Just think, I muttered, as I cleaned Pandora's back end up, how this will sound at medical school interviews, for son wants to be a doctor. Son replied that he didn't quite see his future in terms of hens.
I managed to remove the remains of the egg, at which point the prolapse went back of its own accord but today poor Pandora is still not quite the thing. She is isolated from the others in a darkened stable, and is drinking but not eating more than a peck or too. Fingers crossed. I'll post updates on Twitter, I think, as it will be quicker. Do hope I do not have to dispatch her, as I haven't done this before but I can't leave her to go on more than a couple of days if she doesn't perk up.
What, my husband asked later, did I do? First I went and fetched a helpful child. Then I fetched another helpful but less squeamish child - son, who did an excellent job of holding and soothing hen. He really is very good with animals. Just think, I muttered, as I cleaned Pandora's back end up, how this will sound at medical school interviews, for son wants to be a doctor. Son replied that he didn't quite see his future in terms of hens.
I managed to remove the remains of the egg, at which point the prolapse went back of its own accord but today poor Pandora is still not quite the thing. She is isolated from the others in a darkened stable, and is drinking but not eating more than a peck or too. Fingers crossed. I'll post updates on Twitter, I think, as it will be quicker. Do hope I do not have to dispatch her, as I haven't done this before but I can't leave her to go on more than a couple of days if she doesn't perk up.
Comments
they also mention
"sulphate of sodium" [4 oz dissolved in a pint of warm water makes a stock solution add 1 dessert spoonful of this to 1 pint of drinking water twice a month]
and sulphate of iron" [add a crystal the size of a pea to a pint of drinking water]
getting skunked on non stimulating sorry but I'll have another look up later...
make it yourself tempting spice seems to include powdered ginger, liquorice and aniseed in small quantities also codliver oil, and olive oil get the thumbs up as do sprouted grains and seeds
wishing her luck!
If the worst befalls I'd try and find someone who has dispatched a hen before as there is definately a knack to that job :(
But hopefully it won't be necessary
Hope she is better soon.
My Gramps (who was a farmer) had that useful skill, my father did not..his only attempt was found making a rapid escape. A friend at farm college was so determined to be swift and humane found herself holding a ducks head in her hand..it was swift and humane but the poor girl swore never ever to try that again...why do animals and basic humour (sometimes very black)go together so well
Val - that duck. It made me laugh - your poor friend.
I'm glad to read your Twitter update that she's feeling much better, hope she continues to improve!!
If she can't lay smaller eggs does that mean it could happen again...and again? Hope not for both of you!
Frances