I have a 13 months old buff Orpington hen who has always been a reliable layer and social, bossy bird. On Sunday morning, she was reluctant to get off the roost when my husband opened the coop in the morning. A couple hours later, she had moved from the roost to the ramp, where she was just sitting, which is unusual for any of my birds. Her comb was very pale, so I immediately moved her to quarantine after a quick physical inspection. She spent nearly all of yesterday sitting in a corner of the crate, not sleeping, just looking around. She would occasionally get up and move a foot or so, but then it seemed like she just couldn't hold herself up and would flump back down. Around mid-day, she stared producing some yellow, runny poop. By late afternoon, it was yellow foamy liquid with some black lumps. My research led me to believe it was egg peritonitis. I did not see her eat her food or drink all day, but did notice that she picked at her pine litter quite a bit and seemed to be eating it. I offered her a mash of scrambled egg with probiotics and electrolytes and some sesame seeds (usually a sure bet), but she only took a mouthful or so.
Last night we moved her to the garage for shelter overnight. After the move, she perked up considerably - she started walking around the crate, made a few vocalizations, and her color was a little better. I think this was a protest to her surroundings, as she's never been 'in the house' before and couldn't see any of her flock. Then she pooped, and it was EPIC, and looked like spinach dip. After than she went to sleep so quickly I thought she was dead - but an hour later she was back up and moving a bit. She has continued to produce the same poop, though not as copious as that first time. Today, almost 36 hours after noticing she was "off" - her comb is red and healthy looking, she stands and moves around her crate, but it still refusing most foods and go-to treats (raisin toast, oatmeal, even grapes got the snub). The diarrhea has made a mess of her bottom and vent, but the vent is not red or swollen, and neither is her abdomen.
My question is this - would I be seeing fluid build-up from egg peritonitis at this point, or does it take a while? The last day I know for sure she laid an egg was last Wednesday (6 hens, 6 eggs). I have not had any not-perfect eggs.
And, if this sounds like something else to anyone, please advise!
Thank you so much!
EDITED to add: my remaining hens (3 buffs, 2 EEs) have no symptoms at all.
Last night we moved her to the garage for shelter overnight. After the move, she perked up considerably - she started walking around the crate, made a few vocalizations, and her color was a little better. I think this was a protest to her surroundings, as she's never been 'in the house' before and couldn't see any of her flock. Then she pooped, and it was EPIC, and looked like spinach dip. After than she went to sleep so quickly I thought she was dead - but an hour later she was back up and moving a bit. She has continued to produce the same poop, though not as copious as that first time. Today, almost 36 hours after noticing she was "off" - her comb is red and healthy looking, she stands and moves around her crate, but it still refusing most foods and go-to treats (raisin toast, oatmeal, even grapes got the snub). The diarrhea has made a mess of her bottom and vent, but the vent is not red or swollen, and neither is her abdomen.
My question is this - would I be seeing fluid build-up from egg peritonitis at this point, or does it take a while? The last day I know for sure she laid an egg was last Wednesday (6 hens, 6 eggs). I have not had any not-perfect eggs.
And, if this sounds like something else to anyone, please advise!
Thank you so much!
EDITED to add: my remaining hens (3 buffs, 2 EEs) have no symptoms at all.
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