Diarrhea

[Yowie]

Hi All
Leghorn bantam that lays an egg a day produced this poop last night on the roost. Noticed through the day that she had become very quiet and not eating as usual. The only other variant noticed is the speckling of the comb. Any suggestion and advice on treating is more than welcome.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi All
Leghorn bantam that lays an egg a day produced this poop last night on the roost. Noticed through the day that she had become very quiet and not eating as usual. The only other variant noticed is the speckling of the comb. Any suggestion and advice on treating is more than welcome.

I would check her crop to make sure it's emptying overnight, feel her abdomen for bloat or fluid. Look her over for lice/mites. Getting a fecal float to see if worms is a problem would be good too.

Comb looks a little dry maybe, you can apply a bit of vaseline if you wish.

 

[Yowie]

Thank you. It is 5:30am here now, having morning coffee and will do so before sunup. Have read how to make a fecal float solution so should be able to do that as well although hot poop is an issue 5.5 C and feels like -1.5 C

 

[Yowie]

Results
Crop not empty, abdomen feel is fluid but not bloated and could not see lice or mites. I did worm her yesterday and no worm kill in feces, that is unchanged, this morning. Will do fecal float this morning. Will read up on crop not emptying, any advice on the issue is also welcome. I guess it is related to GI tract issues.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

If you just dewormed her the fecal float won't tell you anything.

 

[Yowie]

Okay, one less chore. I guess i will keep up the yoghurt and see what happens over the coming days.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Results
Crop not empty, abdomen feel is fluid but not bloated and could not see lice or mites. I did worm her yesterday and no worm kill in feces, that is unchanged, this morning. Will do fecal float this morning. Will read up on crop not emptying, any advice on the issue is also welcome. I guess it is related to GI tract issues.

Re-check her crop first thing before she eats/drinks, it should be empty, if it's not then I would start treating her for a crop issue.

Feeling of fluid in the abdomen may be a symptom of reproductive issues. Peritonitis, cancer, etc. can be common in laying hens and sometimes fluid can build in the abdomen due to these conditions.

Fluid and/or inflammation in the abdomen may cause the crop to not empty properly so keep that in mind too - seems they go hand in hand.

If it's fluid buildup, sometimes that can be drained from the abdomen. This can make the hen more comfortable and extend life. Draining won't cure whatever is causing the fluid to accumulate though. There is risk involved in draining a hen, a needle stick can introduce bacteria and cause infection, draining too quickly could send a hen into cardiac arrest as well. Do some reading up on Ascites in laying hens. There's a lot of youtube videos that show how to drain as well.

If you have a vet you can consult, that's always best.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Yowie]

Thanks very much for your help. I have taken it all onboard and will keep you updated.

 

[Yowie]

I believe I have this figured out. If I am sounding like I know what I am writing and speaking about, forgive me, I am only repeating in part what I have read.

I am of the opinion that the diarrhea and lack of appetite was (note the past tense) due to preparing for going broody. Why? because two days after my last post, Ebony was on the nest for hours. I have two nest boxes, the one she was in had a fake egg. When I put my hand under her and slowly slid the egg out, she retrieved it and stayed in the box. Obviously broody.

So having read up on breaking the broodiness I decided to take two of the suggestions, closed off the nest boxes and walked with her in my arms, around the yard, several times a day. The naighbours are now convinced I am stark raving mad . Result? Broody broken in two days, no diarrhea and all back to normal.

Thanks for your advice, I keep on learning.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Glad she's better!
Thank you for the update.