I have a flock with 6 BR a year old, and then 10 others 14-16 weeks old.
One of the BR hatched 4 chicks nearly 2 weeks ago.
I'm having a problem with one of the BR hens, who is a bit overweight and may or may not be laying right now- I do't often catch them in the act, so I can't say for certain.
George was fine earlier this evening when I went out with some cantaloupe and chopped frozen grapes- the heat index was into the 110's today. I also put out more hillbilly air conditioners- had several scattered around today. George was normal during all of my trips outside and ran to me for treats.
When I went out to lock up, I found her just inside the pop door, laying, panting, and prone. I see that her left leg is working normally, but it seems as though her right leg is not. She has her head up and is alert. She seems distressed. She has a raspy, labored breath.
Keep in mind, the heat index is currently 102- labored breathing is present in everyone, including me.
The pushing and shoving on the roosts has gotten pretty bad lately, and when the big girls fall, it's brutal. They are HEAVY. I suspect George fell off of a roost in the melee and got hurt.
I also suspect the resulting stress has cranked her already elevated body temperature. As far as I know, she's been eating and drinking normally. They eat a 17% mix I get at a local feed mill, made up of a grain combo. They have fresh water in 6 shady locations.
When I brought her inside, I could see that there was a poop next to her, and it had a very watery liquid portion, with a solid portion- this is common in my flock when it's hot out. I wouldn't think it unusual- BUT...as I carried her in, trying to keep her in the position in which I found her, she leaked clear fluid from her vent all down me- about 2 or 3 tablespoons.
I've got her in the bathroom in a big Rubbermaid tub, which she fills, practically. She has had some honey water, as I haven't any electrolytes on hand. She doesn't want it, but I did dribble some in.
She has gotten even raspier, though there is no discharge, no swelling, no neurological symptoms, etc.
I wonder if she's punctured a lung...it's awful. It doesn't strike me as being a respiratory disease so much as an injury. I can't tell what's going on with her leg.
I can't spend money on the vet- though I ought to force the vet to work on her for free, since he broke my roo's beak on Thursday...that's another story.
Is this sounding at all like a disease to anyone? I can't see how it could occur so suddenly. Everyone else is normal. No new birds in since March, and they were day-old chicks.
Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome!
Thank you!
One of the BR hatched 4 chicks nearly 2 weeks ago.
I'm having a problem with one of the BR hens, who is a bit overweight and may or may not be laying right now- I do't often catch them in the act, so I can't say for certain.
George was fine earlier this evening when I went out with some cantaloupe and chopped frozen grapes- the heat index was into the 110's today. I also put out more hillbilly air conditioners- had several scattered around today. George was normal during all of my trips outside and ran to me for treats.
When I went out to lock up, I found her just inside the pop door, laying, panting, and prone. I see that her left leg is working normally, but it seems as though her right leg is not. She has her head up and is alert. She seems distressed. She has a raspy, labored breath.
Keep in mind, the heat index is currently 102- labored breathing is present in everyone, including me.
The pushing and shoving on the roosts has gotten pretty bad lately, and when the big girls fall, it's brutal. They are HEAVY. I suspect George fell off of a roost in the melee and got hurt.
I also suspect the resulting stress has cranked her already elevated body temperature. As far as I know, she's been eating and drinking normally. They eat a 17% mix I get at a local feed mill, made up of a grain combo. They have fresh water in 6 shady locations.
When I brought her inside, I could see that there was a poop next to her, and it had a very watery liquid portion, with a solid portion- this is common in my flock when it's hot out. I wouldn't think it unusual- BUT...as I carried her in, trying to keep her in the position in which I found her, she leaked clear fluid from her vent all down me- about 2 or 3 tablespoons.
I've got her in the bathroom in a big Rubbermaid tub, which she fills, practically. She has had some honey water, as I haven't any electrolytes on hand. She doesn't want it, but I did dribble some in.
She has gotten even raspier, though there is no discharge, no swelling, no neurological symptoms, etc.
I wonder if she's punctured a lung...it's awful. It doesn't strike me as being a respiratory disease so much as an injury. I can't tell what's going on with her leg.
I can't spend money on the vet- though I ought to force the vet to work on her for free, since he broke my roo's beak on Thursday...that's another story.
Is this sounding at all like a disease to anyone? I can't see how it could occur so suddenly. Everyone else is normal. No new birds in since March, and they were day-old chicks.
Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome!
Thank you!
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