ChickenMamaLissa
Chirping
- Apr 26, 2020
- 46
- 42
- 81
My Rhode Island Red has been having trouble breathing for almost three full days now. I just introduced her to some new pullets who were being treated for gape worm. Initially I thought this was what she was suffering from, but treatment had no effect on her symptoms. She hasn't been eating or drinking so I've been giving her water regularly throughout the day to keep her hydrated. On the first day she was shaking her head and coughing, and one side of her face was a little swollen. Her waddles and crest felt hot to the touch but she's had no nasal discharge. The second day, her eye was completely swollen shut and she didn't shake her head anymore, but clearly struggled to breath. The eye has been oozing clear liquid on and off. I fed her some scrambled egg yesterday in the hopes of getting her strength up to fight whatever this is. Today her eye is again swollen and her posture is unchanged, but before I fed her, I checked her crop. It was soft and spongy, and full despite eating almost nothing for three days. I emptied it and it was full of food from before she got sick, as well as the egg I'd given her yesterday. When I emptied her crop, her breathing sounded less gurgly for a while, but it's since returned to sounding like she's got water in there. I'm afraid to feed her again, for fear it will just sit there and make her worse. The nearest veterinarian who might, possibly, maybe treat chickens is more than an hour drive away. I've ordered some VetRx but there's no telling when it will get here.
Could this be coryoza? Is the sour crop unrelated, or a result of the illness rather than the cause? I'm at a loss. I've been struggling to keep her comfortable, but I fear the only thing to do is have her euthanized. She's the sole survivor from a November dog attack and despite the horror of it all, at least her sisters died without suffering. It doesn't seem right that she escaped just to spend her last days in pain. Does anyone have any suggestions? Everyone I've called won't even let me get past "I have a chicken..."
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Rhode Island Red, approximately 4 years old, normal weight
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Lethargy. Standing with her tail down, head in the air, gasping and gurgling. Occasionally shaking her head and scratching her beak. Not eating or drinking
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
This is day 3 of symptoms.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No, she's been isolated from first onset.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
This is the only remaining adult bird from a previous flock. She's been living alone for 5 months. I just introduced 4 new pullets from a breeder. They spent the first week in quarantine and were treated for gape worm.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Yesterday I gave her scrambled egg with cayenne, garlic, cinnamon, oregano, and a little vegetable broth to make it easier to get in her mouth. I've been dropping water with a little apple cider vinegar into her mouth every few hours.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
No blood, but very runny and yellow
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Nothing prescription, only natural remedies. I have VetRx on order, but it could be days before it gets here.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
There are no local veterinarians who treat chickens. If I take her to a vet, it will be to euthanize her because nothing can be done.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
She usually lives in a raised coop filled with pine shavings. It is warm and dry, we use water nipples so their water stays dust free and doesn't drip or splash onto the floor. There's a heat lamp for nights when the temperature gets too low, but we've been leaving it on for the pullets.
Could this be coryoza? Is the sour crop unrelated, or a result of the illness rather than the cause? I'm at a loss. I've been struggling to keep her comfortable, but I fear the only thing to do is have her euthanized. She's the sole survivor from a November dog attack and despite the horror of it all, at least her sisters died without suffering. It doesn't seem right that she escaped just to spend her last days in pain. Does anyone have any suggestions? Everyone I've called won't even let me get past "I have a chicken..."
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Rhode Island Red, approximately 4 years old, normal weight
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Lethargy. Standing with her tail down, head in the air, gasping and gurgling. Occasionally shaking her head and scratching her beak. Not eating or drinking
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
This is day 3 of symptoms.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No, she's been isolated from first onset.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
This is the only remaining adult bird from a previous flock. She's been living alone for 5 months. I just introduced 4 new pullets from a breeder. They spent the first week in quarantine and were treated for gape worm.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Yesterday I gave her scrambled egg with cayenne, garlic, cinnamon, oregano, and a little vegetable broth to make it easier to get in her mouth. I've been dropping water with a little apple cider vinegar into her mouth every few hours.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
No blood, but very runny and yellow
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Nothing prescription, only natural remedies. I have VetRx on order, but it could be days before it gets here.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
There are no local veterinarians who treat chickens. If I take her to a vet, it will be to euthanize her because nothing can be done.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
She usually lives in a raised coop filled with pine shavings. It is warm and dry, we use water nipples so their water stays dust free and doesn't drip or splash onto the floor. There's a heat lamp for nights when the temperature gets too low, but we've been leaving it on for the pullets.
