Do newly laying pullets act sick?

[Red Horse]

Give her a calcium tablet once a day until she's behaving normally. For as long as it takes.

The issues production layers have usually don't show up until the second year, but each individual is unique so problems may occur at any time.

It's not unusual for two eggs to be involved. It sure surprised me the first time it happened in my flock. An EE was eggbound and finally laid an egg. I was slow in releasing her after I saw she had laid the stubborn egg. Then an hour later, she laid another egg, this time without any shell.

After that, she was back to acting normal.

Ugh, she is pooping dark blood overtop of a watery diarrhea now, is that typical? I have seen a little bright red blood over some normal looking poops before over the time I've had them but never dark like this.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

@Wyorp Rock @azygous @casportpony
Any input on the last post? Sounds like her hen might have more issues.

 

[azygous]

No, this is not normal at all. Blood can indicate either a shell has broken inside her and is perforating the oviduct or it could be coccidiosis.

Time to start on Corid on the chance this is the latter. Also, blood is a sign of conditions conducive to bacteria infection. Time to start her on an antibiotic, as well. What do you have on hand?

When you mix the Corid water, also give her a straight drench dose of Corid by syringe at .1ml per pound of her weight. Do it once a day for three days.

Can you post a pic of this bloody poop? Any sign of blood on her butt feathers? How is her behavior?

 

[Red Horse]

No, this is not normal at all. Blood can indicate either a shell has broken inside her and is perforating the oviduct or it could be coccidiosis.

Time to start on Corid on the chance this is the latter. Also, blood is a sign of conditions conducive to bacteria infection. Time to start her on an antibiotic, as well. What do you have on hand?

When you mix the Corid water, also give her a straight drench dose of Corid by syringe at .1ml per pound of her weight. Do it once a day for three days.

Can you post a pic of this bloody poop? Any sign of blood on her butt feathers? How is her behavior?

Still lethargic this morning but she came to me after a few minutes when I coaxed her. I thought it was weird yesterday that I didn't see her eat much other than the wet feed mash I gave her, but her crop was full all day... not hard, just firm like normal. This morning it hasn't emptied. Could an impacted crop be the trouble?

They've been on medicated start n grow and are still getting some while I mix the layer feed in to transition them (they're at a little over 50% layer now) and they've been outside for 12 weeks, could she still have become infected with coccidiosis? If you think so Ill grab corid and I have no antibiotics on hand but if you can give me a few kinds to look for that will work I'll head over to the mill when it opens and see what they have.

My roosters are struggling with favus right now, do you think being on antibiotics could make her more susceptible to catching it? I know antibiotics can make a fungal infection worse. I've been putting clotrimazole on the boys 3x/day for the last 4 days. I can seperate her but I don't want to stress her out more than I have to.
I was an idiot and didn't get a pic of the poop. It was mostly clear liquid with a wet deep-dark bloody cap on it. I know its gross, but it reminded me of period blood at the height of the event (obv hens don't menstruate).

 

[Red Horse]

No, this is not normal at all. Blood can indicate either a shell has broken inside her and is perforating the oviduct or it could be coccidiosis.

Time to start on Corid on the chance this is the latter. Also, blood is a sign of conditions conducive to bacteria infection. Time to start her on an antibiotic, as well. What do you have on hand?

When you mix the Corid water, also give her a straight drench dose of Corid by syringe at .1ml per pound of her weight. Do it once a day for three days.

Can you post a pic of this bloody poop? Any sign of blood on her butt feathers? How is her behavior?

Also, no more bloody poop in the coop last night.

 

[Red Horse]

No, this is not normal at all. Blood can indicate either a shell has broken inside her and is perforating the oviduct or it could be coccidiosis.

Time to start on Corid on the chance this is the latter. Also, blood is a sign of conditions conducive to bacteria infection. Time to start her on an antibiotic, as well. What do you have on hand?

When you mix the Corid water, also give her a straight drench dose of Corid by syringe at .1ml per pound of her weight. Do it once a day for three days.

Can you post a pic of this bloody poop? Any sign of blood on her butt feathers? How is her behavior?

I have some coconut oil chilling for her, I did manage to get another calcium pill in her this morning. I'm watching for an egg and I got a couple bites of extra wet mashed layer feed with a pinch of electrolyte into her, just keep me posted about the antibiotics, I def would rather treat for all of these if you think I should to be on the safe side.

 

[azygous]

I would treat for all. These treatments won't harm her and could save her life. You could double check the guess of coccidiosis by gathering a poop sample from her before starting the Corid and take it to a vet for a fecal float test. It's inexpensive and fast and will tell you if she has an overload of these parasites.

The antibiotic is a no-brainer. Any time there's blood, there's inflammation and that opens up the possibility of infection from bacteria.

 

[Red Horse]

I would treat for all. These treatments won't harm her and could save her life. You could double check the guess of coccidiosis by gathering a poop sample from her before starting the Corid and take it to a vet for a fecal float test. It's inexpensive and fast and will tell you if she has an overload of these parasites.

The antibiotic is a no-brainer. Any time there's blood, there's inflammation and that opens up the possibility of infection from bacteria.

I'll go ahead and treat the whole flock with corid just in case and treat her individually as you recommended, which antibiotics should I look for at the mill?

 

[azygous]

Blood in a coop is not a rare or even scary occurrence. Chickens peck each other at roosting time and combs can bleed. Later, since they stop bleeding and heal up quickly, you will find it hard to find the source.

This is why a fecal float can set your mind at ease.

Amoxicillin 250mg is the best all-around med for most bacteria.

 

[Red Horse]

Blood in a coop is not a rare or even scary occurrence. Chickens peck each other at roosting time and combs can bleed. Later, since they stop bleeding and heal up quickly, you will find it hard to find the source.

This is why a fecal float can set your mind at ease.

Amoxicillin 250mg is the best all-around med for most bacteria.

How long should I give it to her? How many x per day, for a week, or more, or till she looks like she's feeling better?