Comb and wattle receded

[Poultrybonkers]

I’d say she has acites

 

[Perris]

Thank you. It's not something I've come across before. Is there anything I can do to make her more comfortable?

I cannot speak from experience on this, and I wouldn't do DIY surgery on one of my birds anyway, but if you search online or using the BYC search for 'ascites' or 'water belly' you will find what others have done to help birds with that condition.

 

[UKchooks]

I cannot speak from experience on this, and I wouldn't do DIY surgery on one of my birds anyway, but if you search online or using the BYC search for 'ascites' or 'water belly' you will find what others have done to help birds with that condition.

Thank you. I wouldn't be confident to try draining it. I've been reading online, and I've seen a few sources recommending oregano oil. Would this be worth trying, and if so, how much and how should I administer it?

 

[Perris]

Thank you. I wouldn't be confident to try draining it. I've been reading online, and I've seen a few sources recommending oregano oil. Would this be worth trying, and if so, how much and how should I administer it?

I don't know. I've not had a bird with this condition. But in any case I try not to mess with their digestive system if the problem is not in their digestive system.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Her upright posture looks like many we have seen with egg yolk peritonitis. Those typically stand upright, may waddle or have a wide gait, may have a poor appetite, slow crop, and runny poops.

X2 Agreed.

@UKchooks how wonderful to have access to a farm where folks are knowledgeable and can give you advice. Hopefully they will be able to give some suggestions. Keep us posted!

Her stomach is obviously swollen today and she's waddling. Still eating and drinking.

I'm in an urban area of the UK and most vets don't treat chickens. I buy their feed from a farm where the farmer is quite an expert in chickens and always happy to give advice, so I could try there, but not till Tuesday as it's closed today and I have to work all day tomorrow. I have a fecal test kit for worms, but it has to be sent off by post so will take a while.

I can buy calcium citrate tablets, which I could try crushing and mixing with water and syringing into her? Not sure about availability of wormers - I've only ever used Vermex.

 

[Lilliana]

She's now sitting in a huddled posture with her tail down. Still eating plenty, but clearly not right. Please help!

I have lost few hens like that. It turns out some of the other hens are bullies and block food to stop others from feeding and drinking. This causes submissive hens to go lethargic, pale combs and wattles, tail down and barely moving.
I’ve seen some videos about Epsom salt baths and tried it on one of the seemingly sick hens. I’ve put the hen into the warm bath with two cups of Epsom salt, got her to relax and kept her in the bath for about ten minutes. This did the trick (no one really knows why this works). Make sure to dry her off in towels, sunshine, and gently using a hairdryer. The hen starts to eat immediately and drink and interact with the flock much better. Giving her some time on her own with food and drink every day is also great.
I wish I knew this earlier before I lost five hens to bullying.