Lethargic broody

Hi all, back here AGAIN! Can't get a break with my chickens atm!

My broody hen is not doing too well. She's been on the nest for a little over two weeks. Day 7 I candled the eggs and only one was viable. Brought in 6 more a couple of days later. About 7 days ago we had an accident and lost a few eggs. I don't know if the others survived the disruptionext, I think a couple of them have.

This morning she is behaving very differently. Normally when I go to give her food/water she fluffs herself up and clucks at me. Today she's not even reacting when I get close. Her eyes are closed. She only opens or clucks if I poke her. After work I pulled her out and tried to get her to drink some electrolytes but not having much luck.

This morning she had pooped bright green runny poo over her nest. I cleaned it up but this afternoon she was still doing green runny poos.

The flock was on antibiotics until Saturday for runny noses.

Saturday and Sunday were nearly 40c here so I gave them all some frozen mango Inc her. When I picked her up this afternoon she is very skinny. I'd say half her pre-broody weight.

Any advice? We're heading to the vets soon but I know people here can advise based on experience.

I think that it is URD (upper respiratory disease). This is how I treat it:




Get Dervet at the feed store (It is $10.99). Put less than a pinch mixed in with some water and apple cider vinegar. Stir it a little then add a drop of VetRX. Use a medicine plunger from CVS and drop it into her mouth. gently pull on the wattles to open her mouth and use your other hand or someone else to squirt some in her mouth. let go of the wattles to give her time to swallow. Every once in a while give her some plain water to rinse it all down. Do it 2 times a day I treated 3 chickens from my flock with this. I did't loose any out of the flock of 11. treat the rest of the flock if they start showing symptoms. After giving them the antibiotics you can't eat the eggs for three weeks, so it is a last resort to treat the whole flock. But put VetRX in the water that they all drink as a preventative. There is no egg withdrawal time on that.

As for getting her to eat:

I would add warm water to her feed and create a mush (*be sure to throw it away after a day; mold can cause a fungal infection which would be counterproductive) . You can use the medicine plunger if she won't eat it. You can also try soft bread soaked in olive oil, this would help her gain weight. Also try treats such as bananas, strawberries, and other tasty but soft things that she may eat. You have to ease her into eating, so if it takes a week of just fruit then that is what you have to do.

When my chickens got sick one of them couldn't even open it's eyes. It lost over half of it's body weight and could not stand up. Almost all of it's feathers fell out and her face was swollen huge. But after treatment and eating those foods it fully recovered and is back to laying eggs. I do not think that that an expensive trip to the vet is necessary at this point, but it is your preference.

Keep us updated on her condition please. Good luck!

-G

Thanks G! I ended up popping to the vet - there's one nearby who only charges about $10 a visit plus medicine. She says the green poo is a bacteria. Something beginning with P..... pseudo something? About to try to look it up.

As you said, I have to get food into her. Vet suggested cat kibble mushed with water. I'm also cooking some sweet potato up for the morning.

Vet also said I should leave her on the nest, the stress might be too much!

Wish me luck!

Wow, normally vet visits are VERY expensive! I am glad to hear that she is on the mend. I hope that I helped. Please keep us posted, we are ready to give advice. I'm crossing my fingers!

-G

Thanks

I also bought some lectade for electrolytes, but I have no idea how much to give. Anyone know?