Chicken lying on its side in puddle of poop

[mirileigh]

We left our chickens for 36 hours and came home to one lying on her side in a puddle of dried diarrhea in the nesting box, barely moving. The diarrhea was crusted around her vent like "pasting up" is described but she is 10 weeks old, hardly a baby chick. There was a bit of a heat wave this weekend that may have caused some stress, but the other hens are fine. We washed her vent and now she is eating voraciously, though still on her side. She also drank quite a bit of water and seems more alert. We hope she continues to improve over the coming hours but would appreciate any insight into what might have happened.

 

[ksmith]

Hmmm, I have a hen who is acting similar and I am thinking its the heat. I went on vacation, (neighbors watched the animals) came home and my Buff Orpington hen waws lethargic, laying on her side barley moving. I picked her up and she could not even stand. I started dipping her beak in water and she slowly came more alert. She still doesnt want to eat much. I have her isolated, with regular ice cold water, ice cold watered down gatorade (didnt have electrolyte pack so substituted), yogurt, hard boiled egg, and regualr laying crumbles. She is much morea alert, walks around, though still wobbly. Poor things, this heat is driving us all bonkers!!

. But I would go to the feed store get an electrolyte pack and it should help with her alertness. Good luck with your girl!

 

[mirileigh]

My chicken has not improved in the past 18 hours. We brought her inside where it is cooler and she stayed in our kitchen overnight. She is now taking heavily diluted gatorade (thanks, ksmith, for the suggestion) but does not seem as interested in food as she was yesterday. We made her scrambled eggs mixed with yogurt and her regular food, which all the chickens usually got nuts for. She is still on her side and cannot get up or move around. We are cleaning her poop up often, so she doesn't sit in it. This is very sad. Hope someone can help.

 

[ksmith]

My chicken has not improved in the past 18 hours. We brought her inside where it is cooler and she stayed in our kitchen overnight. She is now taking heavily diluted gatorade (thanks, ksmith, for the suggestion) but does not seem as interested in food as she was yesterday. We made her scrambled eggs mixed with yogurt and her regular food, which all the chickens usually got nuts for. She is still on her side and cannot get up or move around. We are cleaning her poop up often, so she doesn't sit in it. This is very sad. Hope someone can help.

Has your chicken been doing any better?? Been hoping and praying for the best...

 

[mirileigh]

Unfortunately, she did not make it. She was declining quickly, so we decided to end her misery on Tuesday evening. I wish I knew what happened to her. But I am glad she is no longer suffering. It was terrible to see her that way.

 

[ksmith]

Unfortunately, she did not make it.  She was declining quickly, so we decided to end her misery on Tuesday evening.  I wish I knew what happened to her.  But I am glad she is no longer suffering. It was terrible to see her that way. 

 

So sorry for your loss! It's the worst feeling not being able to know what took the life away. At least she didn't have to suffer too long, you did what was best!