20week old hen, lethargic

[123maparker]

1) Brown layer bird, 20 weeks old, approx 4 lbs. Physical appearance seems puffed up, but not bloated. Breathing appears labored. We just came off 1 month off 90-119 degree heat indexes in WI. I have been adding electrolytes to chick/layer feed mash. Some birds began laying last week. Not sure if she was one.
2) Lethargic since last night. Did not come off perch this AM during normal morning coop commotion. Finally came off after other chicks outside. Appeared unstable and stumbled.
3) Lethargic since last night.
4) No other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
5) Open mouth breathing, seems labored. Lethargic.
6) No incidence that I am aware of. Possible heat stress. Found some loose stool in coop (pic attached).
7) I isolated her. Once she identified the mash in the cage she ate eagerly for a moment. Then open mouth breathing again.
8) Found 2 spots of loosecstool.in coop. (Pic attached)
9) I isolated her and nade sure she has food and water in cage.
10 ) I would like treat myself with advice, but will call vet if it is suggested.
11) pics attached.
12) Pine shavings. Dust bath (sand, ash & diatomaceous earth). Straw in laying boxes.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would give the electrolytes for a couple of days, and think about a human calcium tablet with vitamin D or Tums, in case she is having trouble passing an egg. Do you have crushed oyster shell available for the layers to take as they need it? Look for any egg looking material in the dropping in case she is having a reproductive disorder. Is there plenty of shade, shaded water, and good ventilation? Mine always have enjoyed stepping into a flat pan of shaded water to cool their feet and legs. The dropping looks like a normal cecal dropping, which comes from the ceca where food is fermented on the way to the large intestines. Droppings may be a bit runnier with increased water intake in hot weather.

 

[123maparker]

Thank you. Yes, plenty of shade, shaded water, oyster shell, and goid ventilation. I do not see any evidence of egg material in the droppings. She is standing now, but I can hear her breathing and her wings are hanging down.I see a small amount of dark green poop in the cage with her. She does resist being picked up. I'll try a tums.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can wet a little of her feed and even put water on some scrambled egg to get more fluids in. Let us know how she gets along.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I also find misting helps a lot when it is really hot. I spray their body, legs and under their wings. Might be worth it to try and cool her down since her wings are handing down. Do you have electrolytes in the water as well? If not I'd add it in there too. Giving her some liquid vitamins like nutridrench or poultry cell might help. I personally give it to my chickens as a little boost in hot weather. You can also give a more concentrated dose of electrolytes and vitamins via syringe.

 

[123maparker]

You can wet a little of her feed and even put water on some scrambled egg to get more fluids in. Let us know how she gets along.

Hi, thank you. This morning she is still open mouth breathing and today I can hear her breathing and it appears more labored. She is not eating, drinking, or standing, yesterday she was.

 

[123maparker]

Hi, thank you. This morning she is still open mouth breathing and today I can hear her breathing and it appears more labored. She is not eating, drinking, or standing, yesterday she was.

Also, want add that I only got one pullet egg yesterday. It had been up to three prior to that.

 

[123maparker]

Hi Everyone, the hen just die. Thank you for all if your suggestions. I will work on learning more so I can help my birds better in the future. Michele

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh, I am very sorry for your loss. If you are up to it, I would either do a home necropsy, or contact your state vet lab for a more professional one. She may have had a reproductive disorder or something like fatty liver disease. With fatty liver disease, they have a ton of extra fat lining the body and organs, and usually a blood clot on the liver can be seen. It can be hard to know. I can provide a video to help you identify her abdominal organs if interested. You are welcome to post pictures of the organs. Here is a list of state vets to contact for a necropsy:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...L5h4Xt137GBu32pWJZSRUY5DYhQyVrd4ODmF-Ab8otocc

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a video of a vet doing a necropsy: