Decreased appetite and slowly walking

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Checked her first thing this morning and again after lunch just now.

-She is still wanting to hide under a bush, but did slowly come out to see what we were doing, then headed back to the bush.
-She still seems to be refusing to eat anything we give her (although, she is pecking at the ground when she's outside).
-She has a very dirty hind end (vent is fully open, though and seems to be operational).
-Her crop was empty first thing this morning, now it is mostly empty, although it might have some food in it.
-Abdomen is soft, no heat and no redness. Tail is held high. Gait is not a waddle, but still somewhat slow.
-No egg production, yet today.
-Her combs and wattles are looking perky and beautiful.
-Breathing is normal, no discharge or strain
-She didn't see bothered by the exam, as if there was pain involved, so I am assuming she isn't in a lot of pain.

--One thing I forgot to mention before is that she does occasionally lay a "robin egg". It is as small as a bird egg. We have been seeing them once every few weeks or so. Does that mean anything in particular?

When we got her this time last year, she was not laying due to molt. She actually looked pitiful and had a prominent keel. She doesn't look like she's molting like that, but maybe she is heading into molt?

I just can't decide what is going on with her. Something is off..... She is concerning me with how little interest she is showing in food.

Is it possible she is broody? Her vent may be dirty because she isn't getting up to defecate. She may be hiding eggs in the bush. That would explain why she is constantly there. Broodies usually don't want to eat or drink, so could that be the possible reason? Good luck!

 

[TheGourleyManor]

I can check under the bush for an egg.....maybe.....

I think it might have been a shell-less egg that opened inside of her. That must have been the membrane that passed yesterday. She still seems to have no further symptoms. Actually, she did give me a run for my money this time trying to catch her to get the pictures! lol However, I witnessed her expelling what looked exactly like a little bit of egg whites! I have attached a picture of her vent and what she expelled. Tell me your thoughts. If that is what she expelled, will she definitely develop peritonitis? I will be watching her closely for signs of peritonitis.

Reeses

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

I don't think she will develop peritonitis. But no harm in watching her. I think it's good that she is expelling the cracked egg. Maybe take her to a vet to be sure it wasn't a hard-shelled egg...

 

[theoldchick]

Check her over from beak to toe. Check for external parasites and infected feet. Some of the behavior you described sounds like a hen going broody, though you will hear the broody trill when you disturb her. A veterinarian can do radiographs, bloodwork and fecal to see what is going on with your hen. If your hen has egg yolk peritonitis the prognosis is guarded unless caught early enough to treat aggressively with antibiotics. Even so, she can develop complications later on and will eventually succumb to the disease.

 

[TheGourleyManor]

Check her over from beak to toe. Check for external parasites and infected feet. Some of the behavior you described sounds like a hen going broody, though you will hear the broody trill when you disturb her. A veterinarian can do radiographs, bloodwork and fecal to see what is going on with your hen. If your hen has egg yolk peritonitis the prognosis is guarded unless caught early enough to treat aggressively with antibiotics. Even so, she can develop complications later on and will eventually succumb to the disease.

I have checked her over from head to toe 3 times today and several yesterday, as much as I know how (see previous posts). Her abdomen is soft and non-distended. Not temp difference in her versus the other hens. No reddened skin. Honestly, no signs of infection or infestation that I can see. She is already in the coop on her roost to sleep for the night (first one to go to bed tonight-the others followed shortly). I didn't notice any eggs under the bush.

 

[micstrachan]

I think it is good that you have not found any signs, but it is a concern that she won't eat even her favorite treats. If she has passed egg membrane and white, the yolk may have dropped into her abdomen, which may or may not cause egg yolk peritonitis. It depends on how her body reacts, if she even did drop the yolk at all.
Sadly, I have to agree with @Wyorp Rock. I was highly annoyed when someone told me they do not recover from peritonitis. I did everything I possibly could with extended veterinary care. But she did eventually succumb.
If your girl is a beloved pet and you have the means to get her to an avian vet, please do not delay. If she has become an internal layer, you can get a hormone implant (injection of tiny capsule into breast muscle or subcutaneously) to keep her from laying.
I sincerely hope she is just going through a mild illness and it's nothing serious. Again, please keep us posted.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The discharge could be egg yolk, it's hard to know.

I would give her a clean up and get rid of the excess poop that has built up around the bum. You can soak in soapy water and work the poop out of the feathers. For hard knotted poop (dingle berries) I have found a pair of pliers works well to crush the offending mess, this breaks it up where you can get most of it out. A small pair of scissors to cut any out works too. Wear a mask and gloves

 

[TheGourleyManor]

Thanks you. She is a beloved pet - they all are. We are going to give her a spa day tomorrow afternoon when the weather is warm.

@micstrachan Are you saying that, IF she ends up with peritonitis, the treatment won't help her? Just delays the inevitable?

Sadly, we don't have the money for a vet. But, we will try to do everything else we can.

 

[micstrachan]

I am sorry. I guess I did say that, but the truth is, I don't actually know if it's true. I just know the prognosis is guarded at best.
In my heart of hearts, I believe if it's treated early, a chicken can recover. I have read stories about it. That is, if the dropped egg yolk was just a fluke and not caused by cancer or some other issue that would get her, anyway. I think some chickens can handle a few dropped yolks and their bodies absorb them. I think others react badly. For some, it might take several internal yolks to cause a problem.
There is so much knowledge here on the forums. Keep bumping your post up to the top so those with lots of experience jump in. If she does develop ascites (fluid in the abdomen, which can be from peritonitis or a bunch of other things) you can drain her yourself. You just have to make sure to use an aseptic technique so you don't introduce bacteria. I'm sure someone here can walk you through it, but you need a sterile needle and a way to sterilize the skin (like rubbing alcohol). Antibiotics are available at your feed store.
One day I sat with Rusty in my lap stroking her and cried. I told her, "It's OK, Rusty, if you want to go now." She suddenly jumped out of my lap as if to say, "No way. I'm not ready." I think she lived another six weeks after that. She did seem to enjoy her life up until the very end. These little sweeties are so special. Just do your best and let her know she is loved. Sometimes that's all you can do.

 

[TheGourleyManor]

I am sorry. I guess I did say that, but the truth is, I don't actually know if it's true. I just know the prognosis is guarded at best.
In my heart of hearts, I believe if it's treated early, a chicken can recover. I have read stories about it. That is, if the dropped egg yolk was just a fluke and not caused by cancer or some other issue that would get her, anyway. I think some chickens can handle a few dropped yolks and their bodies absorb them. I think others react badly. For some, it might take several internal yolks to cause a problem.
There is so much knowledge here on the forums. Keep bumping your post up to the top so those with lots of experience jump in. If she does develop ascites (fluid in the abdomen, which can be from peritonitis or a bunch of other things) you can drain her yourself. You just have to make sure to use an aseptic technique so you don't introduce bacteria. I'm sure someone here can walk you through it, but you need a sterile needle and a way to sterilize the skin (like rubbing alcohol). Antibiotics are available at your feed store.
One day I sat with Rusty in my lap stroking her and cried. I told her, "It's OK, Rusty, if you want to go now." She suddenly jumped out of my lap as if to say, "No way. I'm not ready." I think she lived another six weeks after that. She did seem to enjoy her life up until the very end. These little sweeties are so special. Just do your best and let her know she is loved. Sometimes that's all you can do.

Aseptic technique is right up my alley as a previous surgical (human) nurse and a wildlife rehabber. Which antibiotics would I need to use, in case I see symptoms and make a mad dash to the feed store?

Thanks for sharing Rusty's story. Losing beloved animals is never easy. I bawled with every one while rehabbing (and with pets, too)......and there were lots, even the ones I only had for minutes or hours. Amazing how they can touch you so deep down in such a short amount of time.