22 week old pullet might be dying. Is it cruel to separate her?

[ChickenLady♡]

I'm pretty sure my gorgeous girl is really unwell. I'm worried now she might not survive the night. About a week ago she seemed puffed up and lethargic. I thought it might have been an impacted crop - not a huge crop but what was in there felt really firm. I gave her several doses of olive oil and she seemed a little brighter. She hasn't been herself all week - not really any better but no worse either. I saw a couple of loose poops and a couple of formed ones that I knew were hers. I havent seen her take more than a couple of bites of anything. In part I thought that was because the others have been picking on her since she's been sick.

Today when I got home she was really lethargic and hunched up. I picked her up (which she didn't struggle with) and I am really shocked at how skinny she is. All I can feel is the keel bone - almost no muscle. It's obvious this has been brewing longer than I thought.

I have separated her to provide her own food and water but now I am worried I will stress her more by separating her. If she's not going to make it anyway should I put her back with the others to ease her anxiety? I doubt she's contagious because she's been with the others all this time and no one one else looks sick.

I'm so distressed about losing one of my babies but is she is going I'd like to make her as comfortable as possible.

 

[ChickenLady♡]

I should have added she it a barred rock, purchased from a quality breeder not hatchery stock. She has not started laying yet so I doubt it is an egg bound issue - I don't know if they can have those problems if they havent started yet.

 

[Eggcessive]

You could keep her separated in a dog crate inside the coop if it will make her feel better, or keep her in your house for more convenience to care for her. Sorry that she is so ill. Have you tried giving her any chicken vitamins or some human vitamin B complex? Can you try giving her some egg mixed with plain yogurt with cultures or another type of probiotics? Can you massage her crop several times a day to help soften it? Try to get as much water into her as you can. Is her crop still hard or doughy? Here are some good links to read about crop problems:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/digestive-problems/index.aspx

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm pretty sure my gorgeous girl is really unwell. I'm worried now she might not survive the night. About a week ago she seemed puffed up and lethargic. I thought it might have been an impacted crop - not a huge crop but what was in there felt really firm. I havent seen her take more than a couple of bites of anything. In part I thought that was because the others have been picking on her since she's been sick.

Today when I got home she was really lethargic and hunched up. I picked her up (which she didn't struggle with) and I am really shocked at how skinny she is. All I can feel is the keel bone - almost no muscle. It's obvious this has been brewing longer than I thought.

I have separated her to provide her own food and water but now I am worried I will stress her more by separating her. If she's not going to make it anyway should I put her back with the others to ease her anxiety? I doubt she's contagious because she's been with the others all this time and no one one else looks sick.

I'm so distressed about losing one of my babies but is she is going I'd like to make her as comfortable as possible.

I should have added she it a barred rock, purchased from a quality breeder not hatchery stock. She has not started laying yet so I doubt it is an egg bound issue - I don't know if they can have those problems if they havent started yet.

I'm sorry that your pullet is not doing well

Can you post some photos of her and the poop?
How long have you had her?

Being hunched up, I would check to make sure she doesn't have an egg stuck.
Was the crop empty this morning before she had anything to eat/drink?

Work on getting her hydrated. If you have poultry vitamins that would be good.
If the crop is not emptying, then you need to work on that, but usually that is a symptom of something else going on in the body.
If you have vet care that is always best - see if your vet can run a fecal float to check for worms and coccidiosis.

Here's some information about crop issues:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments

It's not cruel to separate her out so she can get treatment and you keeping her protected from being picked on. Protecting her from the others and seeing that she is hydrated and taken care of is important. IF you have a large coop to set up a cage/kennel and she will be warm, comfy and protected, then you can try that. Just check on her frequently. If she is in really bad shape, then you need to determine if she needs to be put out of her misery instead of lingering for days.

 

[Rammy]

I would seperate her. Sick or weak chickens are vunerable to being picked on by the other hens. This will contribute to her stress. Keep her away or protected from the others until she gets better.

 

[Sonya9]

What are the temps like? If it is chilly out I would bring her inside and keep her warm (or if the night time temps drop bring her in at night and keep her in a covered/dark cage/kennel). If it is nice and warm outside then keeping her in the main coop with her friends may be best, she can be penned off if needed.

As far as food, if she hasn't eaten for a while you might try mixing a raw egg with a little water and adding some sugar to it. See if she will drink some (it will hydrate her and up her blood sugar levels). When my birds are feeling down but still willing to eat I usually give them scrambled egg, or raw egg mixed with cooked rice, oatmeal or chicken feed to tempt them to eat. A dish of dry food just doesn't cut it.

Though sadly if she is very thin and has been ill for several days she may be beyond help. I would still try to get her to take some egg/sugar water (if it won't choke her) but otherwise if she is mentally out of it I would likely separate her and watch over her as she passes.

 

[ChickenLady♡]

Thank you everyone for the great advice. She passed away overnight. These are my first chickens and I'm heartbroken - she was a special one.

 

[Rammy]

So sorry.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you everyone for the great advice. She passed away overnight. These are my first chickens and I'm heartbroken - she was a special one.

I'm sorry for your loss
It's hard to lose one, especially a favorite.

 

[ChickenLady♡]

I'm sorry for your loss
It's hard to lose one, especially a favorite.

Thank you, yes it is hard. Especially the first time, although I'll try my hardest to avoid losing any more. Not always feasible though, I know.