Identifying illness through manure analysis

Jaye · Post by **Jaye** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:09 pm

She's gone.

It was quick. I barely had time to call out to hubby for help, before she went. I had just finished feeding her and was trying to clean up her back side again, when she went into convulsions. I am so very sad about all this. She was a wonderful hen.
I need some help knowing how to wrap her up and "store" her until I can get her shipped for necropsy, since it is the Easter long weekend. I am planning to wrap her in a towel, then double plastic bag her and put her in our unheated garage until Monday, since the temps will be below freezing. Is this a good idea?

Post by **thegawd** » Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:47 pm

Im So Sorry Jaye!

I know how much you loved and cared for her. You made her last few days as comfortable as possible. Your a great chicken Momma!

You take care eh!

Post by **Killerbunny** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 6:34 am

That sounds like the best you can do Jaye. Very sorry to hear this but you did your best to keep her comfy.

Post by **WLLady** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 10:13 am

I am sorry Jaye.

You did everything you could...
If you are going to send her up to guelph if you double bag and keep cold it should be fine. Otherwise if you are going to necropsy her do it tomorrow once rigor subsides. Its easier.

:sEm_ImSorry:

i know how much you care for all your critters. Hang in there....you did amazing.

Jaye · Post by **Jaye** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 11:19 am

Thanks Al, KB, WLLady, for your condolences.
And a big thank you for all your support and advice.
I've learned a lot from all of you, and also from Annemieke. Like what not to do next time, what signs to look for, now that she showed me how it goes when a hen is dying. Next time I won't let it go this long: once a chicken stops eating, that should have been the time I helped her out instead of prolonging her life by hand feeding.
I will contact the University of Guelph tomorrow, to see if they are open, and make arrangements to have her shipped for necropsy. I would like to know what was wrong with her, because if it's something I could have prevented, I need to know that, and if it isn't preventable, then at least if I ever have another hen with similar symptoms, I will have a better idea of how todeal with her.

Post by **Killerbunny** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 11:23 am

Yes knowledge will always help. At least it can set your mind at rest.

windwalkingwolf · Post by **windwalkingwolf** » Fri Mar 25, 2016 4:12 pm

Aw, I'm so sorry Jaye. She died warm and fed, that's the best any of us can do.
Just double bag, first bag a Ziploc if you have one big enough.
Hugs

Jaye · Post by **Jaye** » Sat Mar 26, 2016 10:34 am

Thanks for saying that, WWW. It helps to hear I didn't totally mess up because of my inexperience.
It's strange and sad not to see her around any more. :-(

SandyM · Post by **SandyM** » Sat Mar 26, 2016 11:05 am

Oh no! So sorry Jaye. The extra mile was taken for her without hesitation. Take some peace in that. Thanks for sharing her journey with us.
*hugs*