Comb has gone completely limp on almost 1 yr old hen.

[NicInNC]

Right before my hen got sick, her comb started laying to the side a bit. Then once she started showing signs of illness, it went completely limp and is now just laying across her head. It used to stand straight up. Is this a sign of something or a cause for concern?

Here is a pic of her:

Also, her face around her eyes used to be bright red. Since she's been sick, it's gone all pale.

 

[Judy]

Yes she is sick. At the very least dehydrated. Does she have plenty of fresh clean water? Could she have gotten overheated? Worms, lice, mites? What does she eat? Any change in laying, bedding, housing, others in flock, etc.?

 

[NicInNC]

Quote:
She's been extremely congested. I injected her with Tylan today. I've also been changing her water daily and she IS drinking. I have always changed their water daily. She's also eating, but not much at all. I have her in a large rubbermaid container that we used as our brooder in our garage. She's been in there for 3 days now. I let her out daily though and keep her in the front yard (I don't want her in the backyard with the other chickens). Today when I let her out, she wobbled a lot (she's so weak), but managed to roam around and eat grass, worms and other bugs. Then when I put her back, she immediately started drinking water.

Her congestion is a bit better today, but I still think she has a long road to recovery.

OK. You mentioning dehydration got me concerned. She has been drinking, but I went ahead and found the juciest treat here that I could find....grapes. I mashed up a bunch of grapes and she went to town on them. She would only eat them if I hand fed them to her, but she ended up eating probably close to 20 grapes!

 

[Judy]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8818

I really have no more idea what is wrong than you do. The limp comb did jump out at me as a possible indication of dehydration. There was a recent thread where the OP had observed a floppy comb, and evidently did not really understand a chicken's water needs, and after he did, the problem resolved, so I immediately thought of this.

It may be that she just needs a lot more fluids right now -- maybe she is losing a lot of fluid to that chest congestion. And maybe she is not drinking as much as she needs, even though you see her drinking. But it sounds like you are already looking at this.

Chickens' resp diseases are mind boggling and never good. I was hoping my original question would prompt some more posts by others. But I guess there is not a lot to do but supportive care -- and possibly some more unpleasant alternatives. I do hope you don't wind up with your whole flock affected.

I wish you and her well!

The link above leads to a description of chicken's various respiratory diseases, by the way, in case you want to read/review them.

 

[NicInNC]

Thanks for the help Dawn. I have looked those links several times the past few days trying to diagnose her. *sigh*

I just don't know what else to do. I'm hoping that she'll quickly improve after a few more doses of the Tylan. She did NOT like that injection. When I finished, she kept pecking at the area. I'm guessing it either stung or itched. By late afternoon, she was no longer messing with it, thankfully.

I know one thing though...she does NOT like being in the garage! She has nothing to roost on in that box. If she seems a bit better tomorrow, I'm going to make something for her to roost on in there.

 

[Judy]

So sad. I feel for you; wish I had something to offer. I dread the day one of these respiratory illnesses happens to mine. I know you are also dealing with the whole issue, that many feel the only solution is culling the flock and trying to disinfect everything. What a nightmare. I don't know whether I would do this or not. Even if I had a strong opinion one way or the other, I would not advocate it to anyone else, though.

With kids we go buy popsicles and ice cream to get fluids in, because they need more than they want to drink. Sounds like you found at least one good chicken popsicle. (Maybe melon rinds for another??)

I'm going to stay subscribed to this as I would like to know how it comes out. PM me if you wish as well. I'm a nurse; maybe somehow that will come in handy for you. More than glad to help if I can.

 

[montcapu]

this is so sad...keep us informed... I am concerned

 

[NicInNC]

I really hope that I don't jinx myself (or Omelet...that's her name) by saying this, but I just got home from work and she sounds noticably better. Her chest and nose no longer sound watery and she has her voice back! She's also not sneezing and her nose isn't running (I've been having to wipe it several times a day). I so so so so so so hope that the Tylan is working. I just gave her her 2nd dose. Her comb is still laying to the size, so I'm going to go buy more fruits so I can make sure she's staying hydrated. She doesn't seem to want to eat her regular feed. Is it safe to give her chick starter if she'll eat that? I'm thinking that ANYTHING is better than nothing, but I may be wrong. Would it just be best to feed just fruits and veggies? Her crop doesn't feel very full, but it's also not empty.

Keep her in your prayers or if you're not a praying person, then please keep your fingers crossed for her!

 

[Judy]

Great news!

I'd give her anything she will eat, for a few days, anyway. Mine love meat and fish, and her protein levels are probably a little low. A little yogurt because she is on an antibiotic would be good. Yogurt and chick starter mixed, maybe? Cheese? Whatever!

 

[NicInNC]

Omelet isn't doing as well today as she was yesterday. She's so weak. I had her outside for a long time today, but she was walking around really slow and was unsteady...that's how I can tell she's weak. I've given her so many different things to eat and she'll eat a bit, then stop. She's also not drinking as well on her own today. I have to keep forcing liquids. This morning, she had a snotty nose again too.

*sigh*

We're still not giving up.