Today is Wednesday and I’m not at work.
Last week I booked off two days in anticipation of a plethora of chicken-related problems and sorrow. On Monday I booked an extra day of holiday. Yesterday was my first day without Maureen. Tomorrow we may be saying goodbye to Yoko. Tomorrow I may be chicken-less.
She’s been booked in for an operation, and it’s literally a case of we’ll be lucky if she makes it through. Yoko has had sterile egg-yolk peritonitis for around 18 months, and it got to a point where she’s so big that something drastic had to be done. We couldn’t just leave her to waddle around and prop herself up in bushes until she was too big to move.
We’ve tried having her drained before, but the needles they use for a hen that’s not under anaesthetic mean that they couldn’t get much of the thick, gloopy liquid out of her. Not enough to make any sort of difference. So we really had to let her get on with it until we got to a crossroads. And we’re there now. If we do nothing, Yoko may die. And would probably suffer. If we do do something – an operation – she may still die. But there’s a slim chance that she’ll make it through. And that’s a chance we have to give her.
So tomorrow, we’re taking her in in the morning. The plan is for the vet to put her under anaesthetic, get the widest gauge needle possible and try and remove as much fluid from her abdomen as possible. Because she’s under anaesthetic, they can be a bit more aggressive about it. But there are several factors which are making it into one very risky procedure. Firstly, Yoko is so big that the pressure on her lungs (not sure if she’ll be breathing with her air sacs too) may mean that she stops breathing when she’s under the anaesthetic. She might not wake up.
The other risk is that because she has air sacs and organs near the fluid, there could be a puncture. Obviously the vet will do their best, but it’s still a risk. Thirdly, they may not be able to drain much fluid off at all. It’s very thick – a mixture of egg yolk, egg white and possibly some other fluid – and the stuff that’s been in there a while probably looks a bit like cooked egg. They can’t risk taking too much off because it would cause all sorts of problems that would send her into shock. So it’s a case of trying to get the right amount out that will mean she can go back to living a more fulfilled life, but not so much that her system is sent into disarray.
The other risk is from infection. But we’re not even thinking that far ahead yet – there are so many things counting against her that we’ll be surprised if we don’t get ‘the call’ to say that we’re going to have to let her go. Or that she went already.
I’m trying to be philosophical about it, really I am. And I’m betting there’s people that may stumble across this blog and think I’m some wimpy, sentimental vegetarian. Yes, I’m attached to my chickens. Or chicken, as it is now. Yes, I get really upset when they go. Yes, I don’t think of them in terms of productivity. No, I don’t think they should be culled or eaten when their ‘usefulness’ has passed. I just don’t see chickens in the same light as some people. I just do what I feel is right for me and my girls.
I firmly believe we’ve done all we can for Yoko, and now it’s out of our hands. We’ve cared for her, made sure she’s not suffering (although she has been getting increasingly uncomfortable). She’s been spoiled rotten, she’s had the freedom to do what she wants when she wants. In the past couple of days, because I’ve been off work I’ve been able to spend loads of time with her to make sure she’s not lonely and feels secure. She seems OK with Maureen not being around. As I type she’s stood under a bush not three feet from the sofa I’m on.
The really annoying thing is that I can’t spend as much time fussing over her today as I did yesterday. My back ‘went’ this morning (remember, I’m 26 with a cheap back) whilst I was putting the lid on the rabbit’s run. So I’ve been hobbling, bent over looking like I ought to have a dowager’s hump, trying to do as much as I can without wrecking myself. It’s so bloody typical. I’ve give her treats, talked to her through the window, hobbled out there every half an hour or so. Urrrgggghhh. Not helping my mood.
But anyway…It’s just a case of wait and see for Yoko. Rich will take the call – although, I’ll be there to help make any decisions that need making. By this time tomorrow, I’m sure we’ll know what’s going to happen either way. I just hope we don’t have to wait too long to find out. Best of luck Pokey xx
Oh Lucy – I’ve just read your last 2 entries – you must be really be gutted. I hope Yoko is fine tomorrow – think of the great life your ex-batts have had since they’ve ‘escaped’!!!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow…love cat xxxxxxxxx
It’s heartbreaking when you have to watch an animal you care about being ill. I hope it all works out for the best for you all. xxx
You’ve put so much love and care into these chickens, it’s understandable you feel the way that you do.
I’ll be thinking of you.
Oh love, big hugs…I shall light a camdle and wish my hardest that she will be OK…
thinking of you all…Sarah xx
Holding my breath that all will be ok
Jo
Aww hope she comes through it ok
My thoughts are with you. What sadness we have to go through, but rest assured you have given each and every one of your girls a second chance to live happily. Well done you! Can you (or any one for that matter) answer my question – I’ve been so inspired reading your blogs over time that I’m now considering chickens myself. What would you say is the required area for them to live comfortably? I only have a small garden and don’t know if I have enough room. What does any one suggest?
Poor chuckies… at least they have had more of a life than their peers. So don’t be sad for the loss, be happy for the gift you gave them.
Fingers tightly crossed here that Yoko makes it through the op. xx
Fingers crossed she is ok!
Lucy – its thursday – how is Yoko….!? Hope it went okay. Catx
thanks so much all!
coldwintersnight – just how small is small? If you have three or four ex-batts, they shouldn’t need more than a small garden really. If it’s really small, maybe three is best. You’ll have to do a daily ‘poo run’, picking up all the poo, but that’s what you should do really whatever size garden you have, especially in summer with all the flies.
If you have a run, you’ll need to move it quite often. However, if you think your garden is secure, and you don’t think you’ve any foxes around, you could let them free range all day, provided you’re there to lock them up for bedtime at dusk. If you want to know any more, just send me an email and I’ll be happy to help 🙂