2 year old hen getting worse

[mom212]

Hi! I've got a 2 year old Isa Brown who (about 2 months ago) got a floppy comb and lost some feathers on her butt, under the vent. She did have some poop sticking to them but her poop was normal. On occasion the back part of comb, against her head would be slightly purple. Yesterday, she was panting and acting very lethargic, still standing, drinking, not eating much. I separated her and gave her Nutridrench today. Her back end feels squishy , not super squishy but I compared to the healthy hens and she is definitely squishy-she even feels heavier than normal when I lift her. Yesterday and today her poop is very watery/milky- actually looked like a spiderweb when it hit the ground. Ideas to help her, please?

 

[littlefarmgirl9]

Sorry but I can't be of much help. I've tried to deal with something like this twice, but unfortunately both hens died. I haven't really found out what it is. Recently another hen was showing symptoms, but she got better on her own after just foraging outside. With the first two, Epsom Salt water and plain Greek yogurt seemed to help with some symptoms of sour crop, and with digestive health.
Still, not sure. I treated sour crop but that went away and they didn't get better, so I suspect an internal problem. Maybe peritonitis, but I doubt it.
The watery poop suggests that she's staying alive off fluids alone. I think you should get a bit of food and maybe electrolytes in her, to perk her up. You'll have to wing it; go with your gut.
Sorry! I hope she feels better.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry you are having trouble.

It sounds like she may have an internal laying/reproductive disorder like Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Ascites, cancer, tumors or Salpingitis. Any of these can make a hen weak, go off feed, have a bloated or fluid filled abdomen, crop issues, lameness and difficulty breathing.

Do the best you can to keep her hydrated. If the belly is filled with fluid, it can sometimes be drained to give relief for a short period of time. Sometimes soaking in warm epsom salts can get things moving and she may come out of it.

I'm very sorry, I know it's distressing to see a hen like this. I just put one of mine down this morning. She had been off feed for a few days, had firm swelling in the abdomen and her crop was not emptying at all. I soaked her, hydrated her, treated her crop, I did everything that I know to do, but ultimately she was in poor shape this morning with difficulty breathing, her comb was turning purple and shriveling. I did open her up, she was full of egg matter from laying internally (which was what I expected) - this was essentially blocking off the intestines and internal organs.

Keep us posted.