20wk old hen straining to defecate, making weird noises- Help

[ScarlettSiren]

Check the crops to make sure they are emptying overnight.
Provide grit (Crushed Granite) free choice.


21 Days of Tylosin? Average dosing period is 3-5days. Can you get more information about his prescription? What dose are they getting?

Thank you for your response! I have been hesitant to say this because I don't want to be judged for not being more knowledgeable or have a ton of people start messaging me, but here we are. I'm a veterinary assistant and he is one of our owners/boss/head veterinarians. He has been seeing exotics (reptiles, pocket pets, amphibians, birds, fish, etc.) for over 2 decades, but I don't want to hound him when we're not at work to respect his personal time and I've discovered seeing chickens for appointments vs having your own are very different lol

Plumbs Veterinary Drug Handbook (a widely used and accepted tool in the veterinary field) states it is ideal to treat for Mycoplasma (which is what his suspicion is- confirmed when I looked in her note today from home) with a 21 day course of medication, however, with the knowledge that not everyone is able to do so, the shortest recommended dosing is the average period you mentioned. The information on Tylan powder in the handbook is primarily for very large production flocks, which could also be a reason why it's so long (to ensure they all have been treated appropriately).

Their crops felt perfect this morning! (Thankfully, that IS something I have quite a bit of experience with haha). I'm wondering if the odd "defecating" behavior I was seeing last night may actually be due to stress leading up to laying her first egg. She's been squatting and laying down a lot while kicking her legs out repeatedly, however, to my assessment, she is very neurologically sound (I've unfortunately seen many neuro hens), still very bright and alert, very interested in treats and is eating/drinking normally. Her comb is more red than her sister's, but it doesn't appear bloodshot or irritated. Her comb has been slightly more red than her sisters since we got her, so it doesn't appear different than it did Saturday, but I have had no experience with a hen laying her first egg. I did some digging and it sounds like it may be some distress leading up to laying her first egg?

 

[WingItRanch]

I'll let Wyrop answer the medicinal part but I'll add in my little bit of knowledge.

For pullets, some signs they are close to laying their first eggs:
-Squatting (this is a sign they are getting sexually mature and will squat for the rooster to mount. If no rooster, often times this is a human they're squatting for.
-increase in noise. Often loud complaining.
-Reddening combs and wattles. Often times a grown spurt in the comb.
-interest in nesting. Usually nest boxes but since they're in your bathroom, she may be making a cozy spot away from your other chicken. They like privacy.

Your barred rock does look like she's getting close. 20 weeks old is about right for Point of Lay.

As for feeling judged, BYC is a safe space! We're all here to learn from each other and you have to start somewhere.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for your response! I have been hesitant to say this because I don't want to be judged for not being more knowledgeable or have a ton of people start messaging me, but here we are. I'm a veterinary assistant and he is one of our owners/boss/head veterinarians. He has been seeing exotics (reptiles, pocket pets, amphibians, birds, fish, etc.) for over 2 decades, but I don't want to hound him when we're not at work to respect his personal time and I've discovered seeing chickens for appointments vs having your own are very different lol

Plumbs Veterinary Drug Handbook (a widely used and accepted tool in the veterinary field) states it is ideal to treat for Mycoplasma (which is what his suspicion is- confirmed when I looked in her note today from home) with a 21 day course of medication, however, with the knowledge that not everyone is able to do so, the shortest recommended dosing is the average period you mentioned. The information on Tylan powder in the handbook is primarily for very large production flocks, which could also be a reason why it's so long (to ensure they all have been treated appropriately).

Their crops felt perfect this morning! (Thankfully, that IS something I have quite a bit of experience with haha). I'm wondering if the odd "defecating" behavior I was seeing last night may actually be due to stress leading up to laying her first egg. She's been squatting and laying down a lot while kicking her legs out repeatedly, however, to my assessment, she is very neurologically sound (I've unfortunately seen many neuro hens), still very bright and alert, very interested in treats and is eating/drinking normally. Her comb is more red than her sister's, but it doesn't appear bloodshot or irritated. Her comb has been slightly more red than her sisters since we got her, so it doesn't appear different than it did Saturday, but I have had no experience with a hen laying her first egg. I did some digging and it sounds like it may be some distress leading up to laying her first egg?

Ah good to know, I normally just follow the manufacturer's dosing instruction from their data sheets, an old copy of Plumb's or other formulary guide. Sounds like you have it all covered.

Sorry that you are having to start out dealing with something like CRD (Mycoplasma) that stinks to have to keep a closed flock right off the bat and your birds will be carriers. Many people do end up going that route and they learn to manage symptoms for the lifetime of the flock, so I suppose it's not too bad as long as you stay on top of it.

Good luck.

 

[ScarlettSiren]

I'll let Wyrop answer the medicinal part but I'll add in my little bit of knowledge.

For pullets, some signs they are close to laying their first eggs:
-Squatting (this is a sign they are getting sexually mature and will squat for the rooster to mount. If no rooster, often times this is a human they're squatting for.
-increase in noise. Often loud complaining.
-Reddening combs and wattles. Often times a grown spurt in the comb.
-interest in nesting. Usually nest boxes but since they're in your bathroom, she may be making a cozy spot away from your other chicken. They like privacy.

Your barred rock does look like she's getting close. 20 weeks old is about right for Point of Lay.

As for feeling judged, BYC is a safe space! We're all here to learn from each other and you have to start somewhere.

I'm hoping she's squatting for the other birds with her she's flighty around people so she stops the weird squatting/kicking behavior as soon as she realizes I'm there and acts 100% normal. It's very odd. We have a rooster, but he's part of our original flock and she hasn't even seen him.

She and her sister have been quite vocal since we got them. I knew barred rocks can start laying around 20wks, but I've never been around a hen laying the first time.

I may be completely off the mark and there's something genuinely wrong, but the scratching behavior is close to a hen or rooster making a nest, she's just laying down when she's doing it. That, combined with straining last night is what's making me wonder.

Thank you I appreciate your time, responses and words of encouragement very much!

 

[ScarlettSiren]

Ah good to know, I normally just follow the manufacturer's dosing instruction from their data sheets, an old copy of Plumb's or other formulary guide. Sounds like you have it all covered.

Sorry that you are having to start out dealing with something like CRD (Mycoplasma) that stinks to have to keep a closed flock right off the bat and your birds will be carriers. Many people do end up going that route and they learn to manage symptoms for the lifetime of the flock, so I suppose it's not too bad as long as you stay on top of it.

Good luck.

Ah good to know, I normally just follow the manufacturer's dosing instruction from their data sheets, an old copy of Plumb's or other formulary guide. Sounds like you have it all covered.

Sorry that you are having to start out dealing with something like CRD (Mycoplasma) that stinks to have to keep a closed flock right off the bat and your birds will be carriers. Many people do end up going that route and they learn to manage symptoms for the lifetime of the flock, so I suppose it's not too bad as long as you stay on top of it.

Good luck.

Hopefully we'll find out, I suppose!

It's been a bit of an adjustment with the young hens, but we're trying! I didn't have her tested for CRD to confirm, but treating based on symptoms. I'm not opposed to taking chickens to be vetted within reason, but as terrible as this may make me sound, I, personally, am not willing to spend an astronomical amount on them at the vet. If it's something like this, we'll try meds, treat everyone and see what happens, but I'm not willing to go through a full work up with labs and such.

I greatly appreciate your time and responses. You and WingItRanch have been incredibly helpful