2/10 Respiratory or something else? - SHE IS NOW SICK - suggestions welcome -is-there-a-chance-a-production-breed-will-never-produce-an-egg-see-pics

[WingItRanch]

I agree. I couldn't smell mold or anything in the feed but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. I keep their feed stored in an air tight container in the house so not sure how or if it even was bad, the other two have been eating all along. At any rate, even though I only had the feed (layer) for about 3 weeks, I ditched it and bought all flock. We always have grit and oyster shell available but she never touches it so I don't know what the feed thing is all about but I'm hoping she is on the mend. Today I saw the first signs of improving poop. It was soft solid, while not normal yet, we're headed in the right direction. Must have been the lizard dinner she had last night.

Winner Winner Lizard Dinner!

 

[WingItRanch]

How is she doing?

 

[Bawkbok]

How is she doing?

Hi Wingit, Had another little lizard dinner last night - yay! (I'm becoming a good forager myself since I'm the one finding the lizards, haha). She appears fine, acts normal, is acting like a chicken, scratching, foraging and eating bugs and dead grass/weeds, keeping up with the others, eating some feed -- BUT -- lost her voice, still icky poop, so somewhere something is off. I'm so grateful I didn't cull her the day I was convinced I needed to.
I take it one day at a time and hold my breath every morning while anticipating her emergence from the coop. When the other two are out waiting at the bottom of the ramp looking up at the door doing a sort of whiney chirp and I don't hear any movement or reply from her, I think oh no. Goldie just decides to sleep in about 5 minutes later than they do but they literally wait for her to come out. She was always first one out in the AM and last one in to roost. Now, it seems the Buff Orpington has taken that lead role but the Buff still cowers to Goldie when corrected by her in the yard.
I've done everything everyone here has suggested (Wyorp Rock, Eggcessive, you and others). At this point, I'm at a loss as to what could be wrong but she acts like she feels ok, so I'm just really enjoying her.

 

[WingItRanch]

Hi Wingit, Had another little lizard dinner last night - yay! (I'm becoming a good forager myself since I'm the one finding the lizards, haha). She appears fine, acts normal, is acting like a chicken, scratching, foraging and eating bugs and dead grass/weeds, keeping up with the others, eating some feed -- BUT -- lost her voice, still icky poop, so somewhere something is off. I'm so grateful I didn't cull her the day I was convinced I needed to.
I take it one day at a time and hold my breath every morning while anticipating her emergence from the coop. When the other two are out waiting at the bottom of the ramp looking up at the door doing a sort of whiney chirp and I don't hear any movement or reply from her, I think oh no. Goldie just decides to sleep in about 5 minutes later than they do but they literally wait for her to come out. She was always first one out in the AM and last one in to roost. Now, it seems the Buff Orpington has taken that lead role but the Buff still cowers to Goldie when corrected by her in the yard.
I've done everything everyone here has suggested (Wyorp Rock, Eggcessive, you and others). At this point, I'm at a loss as to what could be wrong but she acts like she feels ok, so I'm just really enjoying her.

You're doing a great job!

The fact that Goldie has kept her status as top hen is a really good sign to me.

 

[Bawkbok]

You're doing a great job!

The fact that Goldie has kept her status as top hen is a really good sign to me.

oh yay! So her lack of voice doesn't really inhibit her ability to lead / boss then I guess which is interesting because she was a very vocal hen. I loved trying to figure out what each different vocal communication meant. I miss that aspect. I've been keeping a close eye on her for weeks now. I spend far more time with the chickens than I do with my husband or the dogs. They're all used to it by now but I'm probably getting out of balance....
Thanks for checking in and providing your insight / experience, I appreciate it.

 

[Squawkers]

She still getting better?

 

[mrskenmore]

She still getting better?

Yes we all would love an update! I just read this whole thread!

 

[Bawkbok]

Hi Squawkers, well I thought she was until yesterday. I introduced a new waterer two days ago - the Premier 1 - picked her up 3 different times and pushed her beak to it. She was panicky and not happy with me at all. She is molting heavily and I know you're not supposed to handle them much, so I think I goofed. I removed all other waterers in the hopes they would catch on. They are all going up to the nozzle and biting around it, under it, etc. Not getting any water so they walk away. Today, she is doing more standing around, hanging back, not engaging as she used to on free ranging. I think I may have set her back with the stress. No one was / is drinking despite my efforts. I just don't think they're going to catch on. It's been two days. I am worried about dehydration and it's been really warm here - high 70s. So, today I put the old crappy waterer back out and removed the big blue scary thing in the hopes she will drink and return to normal. Her poop has too many urates for my liking and has gone runny again. DANG.

 

[Squawkers]

Hopefully she goes back to the way she was now that you have given them the old water again.

 

[mrskenmore]

Hi Squawkers, well I thought she was until yesterday. I introduced a new waterer two days ago - the Premier 1 - picked her up 3 different times and pushed her beak to it. She was panicky and not happy with me at all. She is molting heavily and I know you're not supposed to handle them much, so I think I goofed. I removed all other waterers in the hopes they would catch on. They are all going up to the nozzle and biting around it, under it, etc. Not getting any water so they walk away. Today, she is doing more standing around, hanging back, not engaging as she used to on free ranging. I think I may have set her back with the stress. No one was / is drinking despite my efforts. I just don't think they're going to catch on. It's been two days. I am worried about dehydration and it's been really warm here - high 70s. So, today I put the old crappy waterer back out and removed the big blue scary thing in the hopes she will drink and return to normal. Her poop has too many urates for my liking and has gone runny again. DANG.

is she eating better for you? I have a special needs hen and I weigh her food that she gets daily so I know that she is getting the proper amount. Even doing that she doesn't always finish- some days (just like humans) she is hungrier than others and I am okay with that. I monitor her poop- which is sounds like you are doing too. keep us posted on her progress!