Help with sick Wyandotte hen please

[kook8]

Have a mature Wyandotte hen that is showing signs of being sick.
Two days ago noticed she was fluffed up as if she was cold. Not going out to scratch for bugs or socialising in any way. That includes sleeping up with the others, she slept on the ground. When I fed soaked grain she was not really interested and it was then I noticed a clear liquis discharge from her beak, one single drop, intermittantly.

Appreciate any assistance to diagnose and treat.
Thanks

Andrew

 

[jacksonnotary]

Pick her up and check for any signs of diseases. Don’t forget to look at the bottom of her feet

 

[kook8]

Pick her up and check for any signs of diseases. Don’t forget to look at the bottom of her feet

Thanks,
Will start there

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about hour hen. How old is she, and has she been laying eggs recently? Can you feel of her crop and tell us if it feels empty or full, hard, doughy, or puffy? Does her breathe smell bad or sour? What do her poops look like? Can you bring her into a basket or dog crate apwith food and water, and offer her some Poultry NutriDrench or electrolytes?

When they separate themselves and stop roosting with others, I usually suspect a reproductive disorder, such as internal laying or egg yolk peritonitis. Crop disorders can also happen alone or because of the reproductive problem or an internal infection. Look her skin over carefully, especially under the vent for lice and mites, or their eggs on feathers. Let us know what you find.

 

[kook8]

Sorry about hour hen. How old is she, and has she been laying eggs recently? Can you feel of her crop and tell us if it feels empty or full, hard, doughy, or puffy? Does her breathe smell bad or sour? What do her poops look like? Can you bring her into a basket or dog crate apwith food and water, and offer her some Poultry NutriDrench or electrolytes?

When they separate themselves and stop roosting with others, I usually suspect a reproductive disorder, such as internal laying or egg yolk peritonitis. Crop disorders can also happen alone or because of the reproductive problem or an internal infection. Look her skin over carefully, especially under the vent for lice and mites, or their eggs on feathers. Let us know what you find.

Thanks for the comprehensive response.

Mature, I'd guess at 5-6 yo. Feet are good, crop is empty and there is mite around the vent. Otherwise, vent is clear and very clean.
Mites are large and a gold brown colour.
Others do not seem to have mites??

Assume she is vulnerable atm. So step one give all bedding nest boxes and perches a good dusting with mite powder. Will also give her a thorough dusting.

Whilst inspecting her she is still dischaging clear fluid from her beak.

 

[micstrachan]

Those would be lice, not mites, though she could have both. Parasites tend to go for the weak hen, especially if she’s not dust bathing.

Beak discharge combined with an empty crop might be more respiratory.

However, the body language looks more like a reproductive issue. How does her breast muscle feel? And is there any bloating in her abdomen? Do you know when she laid her last egg?

 

[Eggcessive]

Permethrin dust applied every 7 days for at least 3 treatments, should get either lice or mites and their newly hatching eggs. The coop and nests should also be treated. DE or diatom is not usually effective if there is an outbreak. Do you see any drainage from the nostrils or an eye? Can you see any bubbles in an eye? Chickens can have water drop from the beak after drinking if the head is down.

If she has not been laying, at her age, there may well be a laying disorder or other infection. I would try to make her comfortable, treat the mites, worm her if you think that might be a problem, and offer watery chicken feed, a little cooked egg, and some probiotic plain yogurt. Tuna or salmon are also usually well accepted.

 

[kook8]

Those would be lice, not mites, though she could have both. Parasites tend to go for the weak hen, especially if she’s not dust bathing.

Beak discharge combined with an empty crop might be more respiratory.

However, the body language looks more like a reproductive issue. How does her breast muscle feel? And is there any bloating in her abdomen? Do you know when she laid her last egg?

She is very 'light' to hold. Breast muscle is firm. Respiratory makes sense, lungs could be the problem.
I figure that if she is feeling sick she may also be off laying.

Have 2 nest boxes, and 4 hens possible.

Thought she had gone broody when she slept in ome of the nest boxes.

I have chicks in another pen. Feeding them medicated crumble atm. Is it worth giving her that for a few days?

 

[kook8]

Permethrin dust applied every 7 days for at least 3 treatments, should get either lice or mites and their newly hatching eggs. The coop and nests should also be treated. DE or diatom is not usually effective if there is an outbreak. Do you see any drainage from the nostrils or an eye? Can you see any bubbles in an eye? Chickens can have water drop from the beak after drinking if the head is down.

If she has not been laying, at her age, there may well be a laying disorder or other infection. I would try to make her comfortable, treat the mites, worm her if you think that might be a problem, and offer watery chicken feed, a little cooked egg, and some probiotic plain yogurt. Tuna or salmon are also usually well accepted.

Bingo!

Thanks have already implemented dusting. Feed them boiled rice with tuna in WINTER when they are not laying. Really like that suggestion makes a lot of sense to me.

 

[kook8]

Permethrin dust applied every 7 days for at least 3 treatments, should get either lice or mites and their newly hatching eggs. The coop and nests should also be treated. DE or diatom is not usually effective if there is an outbreak. Do you see any drainage from the nostrils or an eye? Can you see any bubbles in an eye? Chickens can have water drop from the beak after drinking if the head is down.

If she has not been laying, at her age, there may well be a laying disorder or other infection. I would try to make her comfortable, treat the mites, worm her if you think that might be a problem, and offer watery chicken feed, a little cooked egg, and some probiotic plain yogurt. Tuna or salmon are also usually well accepted.

I have initated all steps you suggested in full.
Pleased to report improvement in just 12hrs!!
Not cured yet, but headed in the right direction.

If this progress continues we will see a good recovery.
Key has been mash + probiotic+ antibiotic.
The dusting will bring immedite relief to all 5 of my hens for sure. And long term too. Have had stable bedding for 2 years with 12" of wood chip and sugar cane mulch bedding.
Been lice and mite free to date!!
Changed bedding three weeks ago...so that + an infection may just be the cause of her infestation.
They free range so have contact with native parrots......will have to watch that one!

Many many thanks for your targeted advice and all responders have added value to my knowldge base.