Help diagnosing my chicken

Hello, I'm concerned about my 3 year old chicken. I've researched her symptoms, but cannot quite find the exact match online. She started sitting quietly in the coop yesterday, not in the nesting box, but just in the coop. When I let the flock out today, she remained inside. She's usually on the top rung, but today was on the bottom by herself. She is puffed up a bit. She doesn't move when I reach for her - normally runs from me. Her poop is watery, though very sticky like the egg whites, with dark, green bits in it. No sign of worms in the poop. Her crop is soft. She won't eat, but will drink bits of water now and then. Her tail is down. I looked in between the feathers for signs of bugs and didn't see any. I'm no expert, but I didn't see anything but her beautiful feathers. There's no discharge from her eyes and so far her comb looks normal. She's breathing a bit more pronounced. No labor or wheeze, but an obvious rocking to her body with the breath.
Any ideas? My husband really doesn't want me to spend money on the vet. Been down that road before...$$$. I don't want her to suffer.
Thanks for reading -
Sarah

Check her crop first thing in the morning, if you can feel it she's either impacted or has sour crop. Should also feel around her belly because she could also be egg bound as well.. .theres Im sure ither things that could be wrong but these are thenfirst to pop in my head.

sarahb5 said:

Hello, I'm concerned about my 3 year old chicken. I've researched her symptoms, but cannot quite find the exact match online. She started sitting quietly in the coop yesterday, not in the nesting box, but just in the coop. When I let the flock out today, she remained inside. She's usually on the top rung, but today was on the bottom by herself. She is puffed up a bit. She doesn't move when I reach for her - normally runs from me. Her poop is watery, though very sticky like the egg whites, with dark, green bits in it. No sign of worms in the poop. Her crop is soft. She won't eat, but will drink bits of water now and then. Her tail is down. I looked in between the feathers for signs of bugs and didn't see any. I'm no expert, but I didn't see anything but her beautiful feathers. There's no discharge from her eyes and so far her comb looks normal. She's breathing a bit more pronounced. No labor or wheeze, but an obvious rocking to her body with the breath.
Any ideas? My husband really doesn't want me to spend money on the vet. Been down that road before...$$$. I don't want her to suffer.
Thanks for reading -
Sarah

Click to expand...

Firekin1 has given good advice about checking the crop to make sure there is no problem there.

How does she stand?
How does her abdomen feel, hard, soft, normal, fluid filled, etc.?
With the poo like egg whites she could have an internal laying problem like Ascites or Peritonitis. Both can have symptoms such as fluid in the abdomen, puffed up, trouble breathing (due to fluid) and standing like a penguin.


Poop chart:
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=17568.0

Info on "internal laying"
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/6-causes-of-chicken-swollen-abdomen.aspx

I checked her first thing this morning. When I lifted her, quite a bit of fluid came out of her mouth. I'm guessing she's not able to hydrate... Her tummy feels medium - not soft, not firm. I compared it to the other chickens. Her crop is very soft. No poop over night. Her breathing is more tense now. I'm making some oatmeal hoping she'll eat something.
As far as her standing - it's normal. And she only stands briefly - immediately settling down. Our feed store suggested sulmet.

Does her breath smell?
You can try the Sulmet and see if it helps. If the store has Baytril or enrofloxacin those may be a better (not to be used in meat birds). But with her declining, it's worth a shot.
If you find she will eat the oatmeal, try mixing some her regular feed, hard boiled egg or tuna in with the oatmeal, mine love wet foods.
Let us know how she does.

Sadly she has greatly declined. Her beak is now on the ground and her eyes are closed. I'm so terribly sad and feel like I should have done more. I tried giving her electrolytes with a syringe and offered her oatmeal and some canned catfood... I'm hoping she isn't suffering. Quietly on my lap now.

She just passed.
Thank you all for advice.

sarahb5 said:

She just passed.
Thank you all for advice.

Click to expand...

Sorry for your loss. You might want to think about having a necropsy done or doing one yourself.


-Kathy

hi, my young daughters would be distraught if I sent her away. I might call UC Davis to ask what the process is, but I know the protest will be strong.

sarahb5 said:

hi, my young daughters would be distraught if I sent her away. I might call UC Davis to ask what the process is, but I know the protest will be strong.

Click to expand...

Necropsies are free in CA, plus you can use their fedex number to save on shipping.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/799747/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures

I send some, some I necropsy, but some I just bury, so I'll understand if you decide to just bury her.

-Kathy