Chicken Not Well

cluckcluckgirl

Queen of the Coop
11 Years
Jun 16, 2012
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Tending to my chickens
I have a 3 year-old Barred Plymouth Rock who has only recently begun to show odd symptoms. When I went out to visit them this morning, she appeared normal. When I went out again tonight, I found her unable to stand up, heavily breathing, tired, and her comb had a purple tinge to it. She has been laying about 2-3 eggs a week. There have been no changes in environment, diet, or stress factors. Her weight has not changed, though she has no desire for food or water currently. My questions are: What does she likely have and how can I treat it? She is currently separated from the rest of the flock. Also, she shows symptoms like those of one of my chickens who hit her head hard, so is that a possible diagnosis?

Thank you in advance for any help.
 
It could be a number of things affecting your hen. Is she overweight or does she have a full lower belly that could have fluid inside? Has she been wormed recently? Has it suddenly gotten very cold where you live? She could possibly have a heart problem, but some worms can affect the breathing. Fenbendazole is a good wormer, and if you give her 1/4 ml orally for every pound she weighs daily for 5 straight days, it can kill capillary worms which are hard to treat. Look to see if her comb pinks up when she gets warm, and you may want to bring her inside to warm up.
 
It could be a number of things affecting your hen. Is she overweight or does she have a full lower belly that could have fluid inside? Has she been wormed recently? Has it suddenly gotten very cold where you live? She could possibly have a heart problem, but some worms can affect the breathing. Fenbendazole is a good wormer, and if you give her 1/4 ml orally for every pound she weighs daily for 5 straight days, it can kill capillary worms which are hard to treat. Look to see if her comb pinks up when she gets warm, and you may want to bring her inside to warm up.
She is at her "normal" weight right now. I have not wormed her. Can Fenbendazole be bought at farm supply stores? She's inside currently, but her comb and behavior have only slightly changed.
 
Update: I started giving her some amoxicillin. This is her 3rd day on it, and she is doing better. She can stand, she loves to drink water, her comb is much less purple, and her breathing is less labored.
 

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