Last night once all the girls were in the chicken shed and the automatic door had closed I placed Dandelion on her roost spot. I was surprised to find an egg in the cat box.
This morning she was last out of the shed and when I checked her she looked just the same as the day before .
Dandelion this morning not looking at all happy
It’s not looking good
I cleaned her up once more and pushed the prolapse back in this time with some honey. Honey is hydrophobic, a natural antibiotic and sticky which may hold the prolapse in. It worked last year with Rusty’s first prolapse.
By lunch time when I returned from my deliveries and checked on Dandelion she looked the same once more. I was so disappointed that the honey hadn’t kept the prolapse in.
I bought her inside and repeated the process of cleaning her and pushing the prolapse back in with honey.
When I next checked on her she looked even more miserable. I am now worried that she may be in pain and I know that I can’t let this go on much longer.
Dandelion looks in pain
Speckles was watching over her and keeping her company.
I had hoped that if she could keep the prolapse in she would stop laying and would have a chance to heal. Instead she looks so much worse in herself than yesterday. I can’t bare the thought of letting her go but I also I can’t bare the idea of her suffering.
I know that tomorrow I must make a decision based on how she is then. I only have a breakfast delivery tomorrow so as soon as I return I will make the decision and phone the vet for an appointment if she is no better.
I am feeling very heavy hearted right now.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
Poor little girl,It must be heart breaking for you Such a sweet little one.
It is horrible. She has perked up a bit this afternoon in herself but she just can’t seem to keep the prolapse in. She looked much better at the vets than now but I think it’s the egg that was her downfall. It’s such a shame she had to lay an egg as the prolapse has worsened since then. I am going to clean her and put it in again at bedtime in the hope that she may improve overnight. It’s a faint hope though.
Oh Carol, I am so sorry – this is such a nightmare for you. There has recently been a discussion on the omlet forum about hens being spade by a miracle vet in Banbury. If you want his details I can get them for you but I realise it’s not for everyone. I am sending positive vibes your way.xx
I have read that it is really expensive and I don’t think it would help me now anyway but thank you for thinking of me. Tonight she put herself to bed early so I brought her in and cleaned her again and pushed the prolapse back in with the honey again and then returned her to her roost. I hope that if she doesn’t poop much if at all overnight it may still be in place in the morning. It is the nest I can do and all I can hope for at the moment. xx
I know you’ll do your very best for her xx
The problem is that it isn’t just about stopping her laying it’s about keeping the prolapse in at the moment. After Rusty I wouldn’t consider operation or anesthetic as that is what killed Rusty. These little girls are too small for that. I will keep doing all I can though.xx
Hi Carol,
I’m a lurker on your blog and sorry to hear about the relapse.
Here’s a link with a successful healing of chicken prolapse, hope it helps to provide an alternative treatment plan for Dandelion. If the link is blocked as spam, let me know and I can email to you.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic/
Thank you I will take a look. The good news is that the prolapse has stayed in overnight and is still in at the moment so I am more hopeful.
Hi Carol,
Just been catching up after a while of not checking in. The chicks are coming on great.
I’m sorry to read about Dandelion’s prolapse but seen your comment that it’s stayed put overnight which is good.
The chicks are doing great. I have just removed the dog crate.
Dandelion’s prolapse stayed in over night and I have just seen her poop properly without getting mucky. I think that if she takes a break from laying she will be okay but if she lays again soon she will be in trouble again. I am hoping that the stress will cause a break in laying and the longer the better.