Dead Sparrows and Sick Chicken - Infuenza?

[JerryC999]

Three strange things in the past week:

• Dead sparrow face down in the pond
• Dead sparrow face down in the chicken watering cup
• Beat up/sick chicken found in the yard

Might these be related? See the pictures for black comb and blind eye. What is going on here? Influenza? Pecking abuse? Both?

 

[Ponypoor]

If it were influenza your whole flock would be affected and they would die fast.

Looks like attacked by a bully in the flock.

Some TLC and keeping her separate from the flock for a while to heal is required.

Good luck let is k ow how she makes out.

 

[SmiYa0126]

You'll need to do a compress on her head to loosen the dried blood, then slather with plain antibiotic ointment, repeat twice a day for a week. Offer her some yummy treats to make sure she's eating and pull the bully from the flock, poor baby!

 

[Ponypoor]

You'll need to do a compress on her head to loosen the dried blood, then slather with plain antibiotic ointment, repeat twice a day for a week. Offer her some yummy treats to make sure she's eating and pull the bully from the flock, poor baby!

I am glad I have never had to deal with a bully, they sure can cause a lot of trouble.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Seriously! I only had some hens scalp a two month cockerel, he survived, it must have been so painful.

 

[Ponypoor]

Seriously! I only had some hens scalp a two month cockerel, he survived, it must have been so painful.

Aw poor fella.

 

[SmiYa0126]

I babied him some much, he's a loving rooster now!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Three strange things in the past week:

• Dead sparrow face down in the pond
• Dead sparrow face down in the chicken watering cup
• Beat up/sick chicken found in the yard

Might these be related? See the pictures for black comb and blind eye. What is going on here? Influenza? Pecking abuse? Both?
View attachment 3897704View attachment 3897703

Do you have any roosters?

The hen has been beaten up and/or suffered from over mating, I'd treat her wounds as suggested.

Can she open the left eye at all? If not, apply a warm compress, then start working on opening the eye using saline to help flush out the eye and remove any pus, blood or debris. Once you have the eye open, apply an ointment like Terramycin into the eye. Treat the eye at least once daily, flushing with saline as needed and reapplying the ointment.

 

[JerryC999]

Thanks for the help, folks.
Ok, no flu. That is good news. But also, no rooster. And no bully identified over the years. I will keep an eye out (eye for an eye. . .). But also failed predator attempt?

Update: This morning she is no longer standing. So, it seems there is more going on than a beat up head.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for the help, folks.
Ok, no flu. That is good news. But also, no rooster. And no bully identified over the years. I will keep an eye out (eye for an eye. . .). But also failed predator attempt?

Update: This morning she is no longer standing. So, it seems there is more going on than a beat up head.

I'm sorry she's not doing well.

She may have been injured by a predator. Look her over for other injuries that may be hidden under the feathers.

Work on hydration. If you have electrolytes those would be good to give, otherwise give her some sugar water (1tsp sugar and a pinch of salt to 1cup of water). See if she will take sips if you hold a cup up to her beak. If not, give her drops of fluid to see if you can work her through some shock.

Once she's drinking, offer wet mushy feed.

She may have something else going on, hard to know. If she's not laid an egg and should have, she may be having a hard time expelling an egg. Calcium Citrate+D3 can be given once daily for a week if necessary.