Sick hen, don't know what's wrong

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4 Sweet Chicks

4 Sweet Chicks

In the Brooder
7 Years
Jun 30, 2012
39
1
22
Hi Everyone,

I am looking for some help with my 4 year old Barred Rock. Yesterday afternoon I found her on the floor of her run, by the door/water all curled up and not moving much. She had no reaction as the other girls jumped on her to get out of the run.

We brought her inside and gave her a warm soak, some vitamin/electrolyte water and dried her out with the blow dryer. Her little boxed is in a warm, dry place with pine shavings. I noticed when bathing her that she has lost a lot of weight and does not eat or drink much. She had a few nibbles of the scrambled egg mixture this morning but not much. She is very tired and just sleeps. She did have a watery loose stool this morning and she does perk up every once in awhile but mostly just stands there kind of puffed out.

What else can I do for her? I have read so many posts on here but I don't know what is wrong with her and I don't want to pt her through any unnecessary discomfort if she is already on her way out. Please advise.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
It could be all sorts of things, but internal laying or egg yolk peritonitis is common in older hens. Cancer is also. How does her lower belly feel--any swelling or fullness? Does she walk slowly or look like a penguin? Is she laying eggs? Has she molted recently? Has she been wormed recently? I would put some vitamins and electrolytes in her water, and try the egg, and some tuna or salmon along with her usual feed. If you took her to a vet, they could probably diagnose her, and if it were EYP, then try some strong antibiotic such as enrofloxacin. Valbazen is very good for worming. Sometimes we can see internal laying inside the abdomen if we do a necropsy after death. I hope she starts getting better, or you can find out her problem. Here is some info to read about EYP and internal laying:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/526089/egg-yolk-peritonitis
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
 
I agree, it could be a lot of different things. How does her crop feel? I am have one right now experiencing similar symptoms and as far as we and the vet can tell, the problem is an impacted crop. Unfortunately, I didn't notice it right away and my girl has lost a ton of weight and it isn't looking good for her :(. Anyway, if you haven't already, you might want to check her crop.
 
Thank you for your response. I don't feel a large mass in her belly and her crop feels squishy and about the size of a golf ball. I have not had them wormed recently. I have 7 laying hens and many are molting right now so egg production has been down in general and I don't know who's eggs are whose. I am not sure when she laid last. I will do some more looking around at the sites you gave me. Thank you!
 
I take that back, her lower belly does feel large and squishy upon another exam. Now, I will look for some antibiotics. Thanks!
 

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