- Oct 13, 2013
- 58
- 3
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One of our new hens has diarrhea and is hunkered down in a corner of the hen house.
When we got these new girls (Red Rocks) a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a lot of loose poops at the time they moved in, but figured it was just due to the stress of the move. I didn't see any bloody droppings, and hings have "firmed up" nicely since then, but someone was obviously still having some intestinal distress, though I couldn't figure out who as none of them were acting off.
Yesterday evening I noticed one that just seemed a bit low energy, not her usual perky self. I took note to check her this morning, and that's when I found her off in a corner by herself. She was all tucked in with her head down in the corner, breathing seems maybe a little laboured but steady, and she's obviously got very loose bowels as there's evidence of recent diarrhea (greeny-brown and whitish) on her bottom.
These new hens just started laying about 3 weeks ago, not sure exactly how old they are but they are young. Although I saw a fair bit of runny poop in the early days after their arrival, all of the other birds appear healthy and active, no sign of diarrhea any longer except in this one hen.
The hens get a layer pellet, oyster shell mixed with some scratch now and then for a treat, and they free range on about an acre, plus they get fresh greens and veggies from our garden daily. The hen house has wood chips on the floor, mixed with lime and diatomaceous earth, which I add to a couple of times a week, then clean out on a regular basis (usually twice a month).
I have put her in a small dog crate with hay for bedding, and brought her into my laundry room where it's warm. I've put a dish of water down for her, with a few drops of apple cider vinegar in it, but she's not interested in drinking.
This is my first chicken health issue, so I'm not sure what to look for in terms of signs and symptoms. Any help you folks can offer would be most appreciated.
When we got these new girls (Red Rocks) a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a lot of loose poops at the time they moved in, but figured it was just due to the stress of the move. I didn't see any bloody droppings, and hings have "firmed up" nicely since then, but someone was obviously still having some intestinal distress, though I couldn't figure out who as none of them were acting off.
Yesterday evening I noticed one that just seemed a bit low energy, not her usual perky self. I took note to check her this morning, and that's when I found her off in a corner by herself. She was all tucked in with her head down in the corner, breathing seems maybe a little laboured but steady, and she's obviously got very loose bowels as there's evidence of recent diarrhea (greeny-brown and whitish) on her bottom.
These new hens just started laying about 3 weeks ago, not sure exactly how old they are but they are young. Although I saw a fair bit of runny poop in the early days after their arrival, all of the other birds appear healthy and active, no sign of diarrhea any longer except in this one hen.
The hens get a layer pellet, oyster shell mixed with some scratch now and then for a treat, and they free range on about an acre, plus they get fresh greens and veggies from our garden daily. The hen house has wood chips on the floor, mixed with lime and diatomaceous earth, which I add to a couple of times a week, then clean out on a regular basis (usually twice a month).
I have put her in a small dog crate with hay for bedding, and brought her into my laundry room where it's warm. I've put a dish of water down for her, with a few drops of apple cider vinegar in it, but she's not interested in drinking.
This is my first chicken health issue, so I'm not sure what to look for in terms of signs and symptoms. Any help you folks can offer would be most appreciated.
Before I dispose of the remains, is there anything I should check for in terms of making sure the rest of the flock hasn't been exposed to something contagious?
