Black Austrolorp hen- lethargic, fluffy feathers

[nelli21]

Hello everyone-
My hen "Blackie" (original I know) is sick. She will be 3 on the 4th. First she just had white pasty poo showing on her fluffy butt feathers. (This has happened on and off with my hens over the 3 years I have had them- I have 7- and they always seem healthy and happy so I have never treated for it, it always clears up in a bit on its own.) I became concerned when her behavior changed. She became lethargic and would just crouch near the coop. I isolated her and put her on antibiotics. She recovered, perked up, and has been fine about 2-3 weeks.

Saturday morning she was sluggish again. I isolated her immediately and started the antibiotic water. It doesn't look like she has been eating or drinking. I tried dipping her beak in water today and noticed she was drooling. Also, both eyes were shut and she didn't open them, and her breathing is labored. I think it is the end for her. I am very sad.

Does anyone have an idea of what it is? And should I put the hens on antibiotics? I was giving Blackie the higher end of the recommended dose of tetracyclin (800mg in a gallon). And I put some water soluble vitamins in there too.

I have some week old chicks in the garage. I am slightly concerned about it spreading, not too worried as no one has come down with it yet (knock on wood). But the chicks are more susceptible.

Thanks in advance for help-
Nelli

 

[dawg53]

Have you visually inspected her for lice/mites? They can tear a healthy chicken down quickly. Have you ever wormed your chickens? If their feet touch dirt, they'll eventually get worms. Worms slowly starve your chickens to death.

 

[nelli21]

Quote:
No lice/mites. And I have never wormed my chickens. Do you think it could be worms? What are the signs? her weight seems fine- she is about as heavy as the others.

Thanks Dawg

 

[nelli21]

Boy, I am so sad and worried about this little hen! It is breaking me up and I think I am going to lose her tomorrow. I have been researching chicken illnesses and there are a LOT. I have not been able to find a way to search symptoms. I have only found sites where I have to click on each separate disease and try and figure out how many clinical signs my hen is displaying, and does it fit, etc etc. And of course I have been lucky for 3 years with superbly healthy hens, no issues. Always free range (except in bitter horrid weather).

And now I am finding out about things like worming (have I been a neglectful mom?), hens being egg bound (never heard of it before!), chicken toys (gotta find out about those).

Help! Feeling like a newbie all over again. Am I making it too complicated?

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
No lice/mites. And I have never wormed my chickens. Do you think it could be worms? What are the signs? her weight seems fine- she is about as heavy as the others.

Thanks Dawg

The signs are what you have described...lethargic, hardly eating/drinking, no egg laying. The bad thing is like you stated, it might be too late. You would need a wormer that you can give her orally. She's not able to drink water mixed wormers due to her very weak condition. You can treat her with Valbazen. It is a liquid cattle/sheep wormer, but I doubt your feed store carries it.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Your not a neglectful mom. The only thing I can tell you is that in your free time, come here and read up on alot of this stuff. You can use the search box to your advantage and search for any malady that your chickens might have. There are alot of resourses available here, including outside help, such as; the Merck Vet Manual, MSU Cares, and many many more good online websites that provide great info on chickens. I reference them myself...that's how you become more knowledgable in chicken keeping. Chickens need regular maintenance just like dogs or cats...that includes dustings, wormings, injury issues etc...it's just in a different way as compared with dogs and cats. Dont be discouraged, sometimes these things happen. I consider my chickens as pets and I am responsible for their safety, health, and welfare, just like a dog or cat. It is possible you'll lose your hen "Blackie" and I feel empathy for you. I had 2 Black Star hens named "Big Blackie" and "Little Blackie." I found Big Blackie in the chicken house on the floor dead one morning. She was 6 years old and my favorite hen. She was an egg laying machine and top hen...she was very docile and gentle. I never figured out why she died, there was no apparent reason. I had to put Little Blackie down because she limped on one leg due to an accidental injury. Two years later she hurt her other leg and couldnt walk. After a month in the hospital cage and no improvement in her ability to hobble on at least one leg, I decided to put her down, a very sad day for me indeed. She was a sweetie too. I still miss them both.
Unfortunately these things happen with chickens...they are strong in many ways, but fragile in others. I wish you the best.

 

[Celtic Chick]

So sorry to hear about Blackie.

It kinda sounds like this:
Cholera (acute):
Incidence: relatively common poultry ailment worldwide. More likely in warm climates and in free range birds.
System/organ affected: entire body
Symptoms: in mature birds and those approaching maturity, you can have sudden death or fever, loss of appetite, increased thirst, depression, drowsiness, ruffled feathers, head pale and drawn back, increased respiratory rate, mucous discharge from mouth and nose, watery white diarrhea, etc.
Cause: bacteria.
Transmission: contagious; contact with mucus from the nose, mouth, or eyes of birds with chronic infection, contaminated feed or drinking water, etc.
Prevention: Vaccination is not effective. You must not introduce possibly infected birds into flock and use good sanitation and management practices.
Treatment: none effective.
Link:
http://www.raising-chickens.org/poultry-ailments.html
The Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow is a great resource also.

 

[dawg53]

I suspect if it's cholera, the others would have been well infected by now and acting the same as the Australorp. ETA: If she dies, only a necropsy at a state lab or university vet school would be best.

 

[nelli21]

Thanks so much- and Dawg, especially for your compassion. Blackie passed last night. She really went fast. I was going to get an autopsy but completely forgot my plans when I found her, and I buried her. It is what she deserved. I am going to call my vet and see what they recommend for treating the rest of the flock. Especially since I have some little one week old chicks in the garage.

All the rest of my hens looked very perky and happy this morning. The only thing I noticed is that 2 of them have white pasty poo on their bottoms.

I'll also inquire with my vet (country vet) about a health regime for the hens (ie, worming, dusting).

Thanks for all your help-
Nelli

 

[dawg53]

I'm sorry you lost Blackie. I'm sending you a PM.