Chicken illness, help

[NCpoultrypalace14]

Our 10 month old Buff starting acting lethargic and not eating on Friday, we separated her and started giving her Electrolyte/vitamins/minerals and Terramycin. She has not laid any eggs since we separated her on Friday. She does not seem to have much of an appetite. We've noticed that she seemed congested. We noticed her shake her head in effort to clear her congestion. We have tried to feed her regular feed and scratch, while she checks it out, she just walks away. We tried lettuce, nothing. Crickets and grubs seemed to help , she ate a few, but she did not attack them as the others normally do. We've have been forcing the vitamin and antibiotic water to her for 3 days, but she does not seem to seek drinking on her own. Any suggestions as we are new chicken owners. We have also checked her crop and didn't notice anything. Her comb is droopy and seems a little pale.

 

[DuckLady]

Great descriptions! It sure helps when we have the info to assess.

Ok, Had she been laying previous? And regularly? How does her poop look? Normal? Runny, bright neon green?
Have you noticed her going in the nest box at all or straining like she is trying to pass an egg? Is she ruffled looking?

My first thought is eggbound.

Try putting her in a tub of very warm water. It will relax her and sometimes helps with passing an egg.

Others will add their opinions, too and maybe something will click for you.

 

[NCpoultrypalace14]

Thanks, she had been laying just fine. Her poop is pale yellow color, solid but we didn't know if it was due to the antibiotic. We felt her stomach and couldn't feel anything, but would we ?

 

[sammi]

describe the droppings..color and consistency.
(before the meds if possible.)

please recheck the crop..if she isn't eating it should feel empty or flat..
check for any lumps or grainy feeling..or any sour odor.

while standing still..listen very closely for breath sounds..wheezing or gurgling. rattling..
check the eyes..any mucus, bubbling, swelling ?

 

[NCpoultrypalace14]

Not sure about poop prior to, didn't notice anything around that was different but we have 12 others. We hear a wheezing or a slight gurgle from her . Poop now is slightly softer, pale yellow.

 

[sammi]

sounds like respiratory illness.

But..
are the droppings foamy? watery?

you said.."She has not laid any eggs since we separated her on Friday."

then you said.."Thanks, she had been laying just fine"

for respiratory I prefer Tylan 50 injectable.
available in the livestock section of farm/feed stores...
you'll need syringes.

here is a link to other options..just click on meds for info:

http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store/index.php?cPath=21_29

other meds in list on the right.

 

[Judy]

I wonder if the poop contains egg contents. She could have a broken egg in her, or a soft shell that broke.

I would certainly keep on with the warm baths, as Terrilacey suggested.

 

[sammi]

agree..
it would help if you can post a pic of droppings.

but the hen is wheezing/gurgling..yellow droppings...

 

[NCpoultrypalace14]

Our hen is about the same this morning. Will pick up the Tylan injectables this morning as well as try a warm bath. To clarify the egg laying, She seemed to be laying just fine before Friday. Once we noticed her not feeling well and separated her , she has not laid any eggs. Her poop is yellow and soft, sometimes runny. She is still congested, checked her crop and it seemed a little swollen.

 

[NCpoultrypalace14]

UPDATE: I took your advice and gave her a bath. During the bath she gurgled up some yucky stuff, so I massaged her crop and held her upside down. Lots of yucky foul smelling stuff came out. I figured she has sour crop. I put olive oil down her throat and got more out. She is up walking around, still not herself, but no worse for wear either.....will start with yogurt diet today. Should I still do the massage and oil treatment a few more times or how do you tell if we got everything out?