Sick hen

aliren

Chirping
Jan 30, 2016
78
32
66
Midlands uk
400

This hen has been sick for a while, when I got her as a recuse hen a year ago , she was ill with swollen face etc but was able to treat her to antibiotics, she then developed a funny hiccup sound around 6 months ago , as she had no other signs of being ill I thought it was just a funny noise she made at me, but around 3-4 weeks ago she started a moult and has gone very down hill iv separated her , she is eating but losing weight she stands with her head up breathing very bad it's very bubbly sounding, her comb went very pale but now turning a bit purple in colour. So far iv giving her a garlic mix , orangano tea, ACV , life guard , I'm not able to get antibiotics. I'm about to worm her. But she has had DE powder. I'm not sure what illness she could have, am I being cruel keeping her alive? Her poop is normal but very small . I'm out of ideas on how to treat her.
 
She might have mycoplasma ( MG,) but other diseases could be possible. Respiratory diseases can be chronic, and come back again when there is stress. They can also be complicated by other diseases from fungus, viruses, or bacterial illnesses. They are infectious and can make carriers of your flock. Sick molting chickens will usually eat some chopped egg or tuna. Keep her warm, since chickens who are ill with respiratory diseases may chill.
 
400

She seems happy in her coop and run , iv put plenty of straw in for her, she can see the other hens, iv been giving her plenty of corn mealworms, pellets and grower pellets. But she is so thin today. Not sure if I'm being cruel to her? Can't bring myself to get her culled. Just wish I could get her to a vet but this is not a option as there isn't any who will deal with birds .
 
Try offering some egg to her--they will usually scarf that down. She will probably let you know if she is suffering. If your regular vet could prescribe some tylosin (TYLAN) or tiamulin (Denagard) without seeing her, those are good for chronic respiratory diseases. Tylan can be given orally or as an injection, and Denagard is used in the water. Here is a link about Denagard:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/819104/denagard-dosage
 
Sorry your hen isn't well.
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DE powder is not a wormer and I might not try to worm her when she is ill. DE grinds down in the crop which makes it in effective as a wormer. Pumpkin seeds MIGHT work.

Also, skip the corn it is empty calories with very little nutrients. Meal worms have more nutrient if they are alive than dead, but should be used as a treat. Grower pellets should be good. Layer might be too low in protein and too high in calcium. I always proved oyster shell on the side for layers. Calcium for non laying birds should be kept to around 1%. Layer is usually around 4% and can cause kidney issues in the long term. And you might be careful with all the mixes you are giving her. Electrolytes in too large of amount could be deadly as in too much salt or potassium. It wouldn't hurt to make sure she has plain water as a choice. Is your acv raw with Mother?

Molting is a stressor and as such can lower immunity allowing the funk to set back in.

The protein @Eggcessive suggested is a great ideal. It will help recover from molting since feathers are made of protein.
 
Sorry your hen isn't well. :(

DE powder is not a wormer and I might not try to worm her when she is ill. DE grinds down in the crop which makes it in effective as a wormer. Pumpkin seeds MIGHT work.

Also, skip the corn it is empty calories with very little nutrients. Meal worms have more nutrient if they are alive than dead, but should be used as a treat. Grower pellets should be good. Layer might be too low in protein and too high in calcium. I always proved oyster shell on the side for layers. Calcium for non laying birds should be kept to around 1%. Layer is usually around 4% and can cause kidney issues in the long term.  And you might be careful with all the mixes you are giving her. Electrolytes in too large of amount could be deadly as in too much salt or potassium. It wouldn't hurt to make sure she has plain water as a choice. Is your acv raw with Mother?

Molting is a stressor and as such can lower immunity allowing the funk to set back in.

The protein @Eggcessive
 suggested is a great ideal. It will help recover from molting since feathers are made of protein.

I will start to give her some egg. I brought some respect which has the garlic in as I thought she had a cold , but no sign of runny nose! She does a kind of cough / hippcup sound , also notice she is itching her head a lot? Iv treated her for mites ect. So thinking this could be todo with her moulting ?
 
I will start to give her some egg. I brought some respect which has the garlic in as I thought she had a cold , but no sign of runny nose! She does a kind of cough / hippcup sound , also notice she is itching her head a lot? Iv treated her for mites ect. So thinking this could be todo with her moulting ?
Could also be a sneeze. Six months is a long time, if that was something she was going to overcome she probably would have done so by now.

I have zero experience with respiratory issues. Guess I've been lucky there. But bubbling sounds can't be good. When I had chest congestion once, was very tiring and hard to recover from. I try to learn everything I can so I know what to do when I get there. Not all things are equal.... ACV will not give the same benefit as ACV with "Mother".

I know a lot of people have had success with the Tylan that was suggested. It can't hurt to call the vet and ask them, worst they can do is say no. But they may have other resources to share.

Sometimes all you can do is your best. But just be careful not to over do it. I suggest keeping it simple. When you start tossing all kinds of stuff at it you might not know what is helping or making it worse. I worry about interactions.

Why did you separate her? Was she being picked on? Where did you get the antibiotics that you treated her with before? Do you recall what it was? What is the protein % in your feed? Did you use something other than the DE to treat for mites? All these questions are to hopefully help you find a solution.

Hope she feels better!
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One of my old battery hens comb turned bright red then black then she died, I have noticed another old hen that's comb has turn real bright red and she gone quit . She looks healthy. I put it down to having being kept in the pen and a bit bored! I don't think she is laying any eggs. Can I be a sign of illness, as all I find is a bright red comb is a healthy hen but what happened to the other one I'm not sure. Just wondering if it's down to old age and she's just worn out from her sad life in a cage.
 

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