Drain site on hen still leaking, she wants out

[Louise Waffles]

I have a leghorn hen, she is probably 3 years old. I've treated her for a fluid accumulation in her abdomen. I didn't measure, but I drained some and she soaked a large bathtowel overnight. She is very thin. I thought she would eat after she was drained (late Saturday night), but showed no interest.I crop fed her some hand feed formula made with electrolyte water. I take her outside daily for 20 minutes or so, and no one bothers her. Unfortunately, she has not one, but TWO boyfriends who are happy to see her. The puncture site is still leaking a little, so I'd rather not have her getting mated and taking dustbaths, but she seems stressed to be in the ICU in my bathroom. This morning when I took her outside, she went straight to the waterer. So, she's willing to drink just maybe not inside. I haven't seen her eat but she may be willing to do so outside. Would it be better to keep her inside until the puncture site quits leaking, or just put her back with the flock and keep an eye on her?
The fluid was clear yellow, which I've read indicates organ failure. I assume all care I give now will be hospice care. I want her to enjoy her time, but not create more issues for her. Advice?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a leghorn hen, she is probably 3 years old. I've treated her for a fluid accumulation in her abdomen. I didn't measure, but I drained some and she soaked a large bathtowel overnight. She is very thin. I thought she would eat after she was drained (late Saturday night), but showed no interest.I crop fed her some hand feed formula made with electrolyte water. I take her outside daily for 20 minutes or so, and no one bothers her. Unfortunately, she has not one, but TWO boyfriends who are happy to see her. The puncture site is still leaking a little, so I'd rather not have her getting mated and taking dustbaths, but she seems stressed to be in the ICU in my bathroom. This morning when I took her outside, she went straight to the waterer. So, she's willing to drink just maybe not inside. I haven't seen her eat but she may be willing to do so outside. Would it be better to keep her inside until the puncture site quits leaking, or just put her back with the flock and keep an eye on her?
The fluid was clear yellow, which I've read indicates organ failure. I assume all care I give now will be hospice care. I want her to enjoy her time, but not create more issues for her. Advice?

I'm sorry no one answered.

How is she doing?

Do you have a cage or wire kennel that you can set up outside in the run or near the other chickens? You can put clean dry bedding in it and let her have water/food in there too. This way she stays relatively clean, but can see and hear the others - essentially be part of the flock. If the kennel is large enough you could also put a "buddy" in there with her. A calm docile hen that she can be next to. The "normal" healthy hen will eat some of her food/drink her water - this may encourage her to join in. (For my more "hyper" hens, if I have to cage one for some reason, I usually place my sweet calm Buff Orpington in the cage with them - she has a way about her that seems to soothe a stressed hen - she will eat/drink then lounge-before you know it the other hen is lounging right beside her).

It's hard to know which way to go when you have a hen that is declining. If you don't have a kennel and she seems to be doing good with the others, you may want to just let her out. Another option is separate the boys, and let her be with just the hens.

Just my thoughts. I hope all goes well.

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

I have a leghorn hen, she is probably 3 years old. I've treated her for a fluid accumulation in her abdomen. I didn't measure, but I drained some and she soaked a large bathtowel overnight. She is very thin. I thought she would eat after she was drained (late Saturday night), but showed no interest.I crop fed her some hand feed formula made with electrolyte water. I take her outside daily for 20 minutes or so, and no one bothers her. Unfortunately, she has not one, but TWO boyfriends who are happy to see her. The puncture site is still leaking a little, so I'd rather not have her getting mated and taking dustbaths, but she seems stressed to be in the ICU in my bathroom. This morning when I took her outside, she went straight to the waterer. So, she's willing to drink just maybe not inside. I haven't seen her eat but she may be willing to do so outside. Would it be better to keep her inside until the puncture site quits leaking, or just put her back with the flock and keep an eye on her?
The fluid was clear yellow, which I've read indicates organ failure. I assume all care I give now will be hospice care. I want her to enjoy her time, but not create more issues for her. Advice?

WELL SOUDS TO ME LIKE CANCER IN THE GUT.

WOULD FEED THE WHOLE FLOCK THE WET MASH PROBOTIC RECIE;
AND SEE THAT SHE GETS SOME OF IT.TW ICE A DAY

WET MASH PROBIOTIC RECIPE FOR A SINGLE CHICKEN.
IF CHICKEN IS MOULTING AND IS STRESSED DO THIS FOR ITS HEALTH:
ALSO IF TREATING SICK CHICKS OR ADULTS.
IE: WORMING, ANY TYPE DISEASE OR COCCIDIOSIS ETC:
...
Glenda Heywood now the
natural probiotic recipe is this:
1 qt of dry crumbles
2 qts of milk, sweet, sour, or buttermilk or a mixture of all or some
1/4 cup of non flavored yoguart ( no artificial sweetmer)
mix good.
do not make sloopy JUST WET AND CHICKENS WILL EAT IT BETTER.
chickens do not like sloppy feed AS IT STICKS ON THEIR BEAKS.

ADULT CHICKENS
NOW THE IMPORTANT INGRIEDIENT FOR EACH CHICKEN FED.
and add 1- 400 mg of Vit E (PER CHICKEN FED WET MASH PROBIOTIC MIXTURE) by cutting the end off the vit E capsule for each chicken fed this wet mash.
Putting the vitamin E in the wet mash and mix wet mash good to get vitamin E in very chickens amount.
This for each chicken your treating.
So for each chicken use 4 tsp of mixture and 1-400 mg of Vit E,
twice a day for them till the birds feathers are grown out,
then just three times a week feed wet mash and ,
Cut back on the vitamin E to 400 mg once a week,
and feed each chicken,
4 tsp full of the wet mash probiotic and what they will clean up in 20-30 minutes,
then clean wet feeders and restock dry crumbles,
IE: or each chicken your making wet mash probiotic for:
DO THIS:
4 tsp of feed and 1 tsp of the yoguart and just enough milk to mix it good not sloppy wet. And add the 400 mg Vitamin E once a week if not sick.
IF SICK feed 1-2 vit E 400 mg twice a day per chicken that is sick.
CHICKS RECIPE:
DO THIS:
IF CHICKS ARE SICK add a 1000 mg vitamin E ONCE A DAY TO THE ABOVE: ie: 1 QT OF CRUMBLES AND 2 QTS OF SOME KIND OF MILK,
AND 1/4 CUP PLAIN YOGUART.
(this is for any and all kinds of sickness )
ALSO IF TREATING CHICKENS WHO ARE SICK,
DO NOT put Apple Cider Vinegar in the water while giving medication.
OTHER WISE use 2 tabelspoons of ACV to the gallon when not feeding medication.


GLENDA HEYOOD
I USED THIS AND HAVE GIVEN THE RECIPE TO THOUSANDS PEOPLE HERE, ON BYC OR MYPOULTRNEWSPAPER National Poulty News WHICH WAS FINALL PUT TO BED ON 12-2005 DUE MY HEALTH PROBLEMS,
NOW I AM BACK ON BYC AS GLENDA HEYWOOD

 

[peeper89]

WELL SOUDS TO ME LIKE CANCER IN THE GUT.

WOULD FEED THE WHOLE FLOCK THE WET MASH PROBOTIC RECIE;
AND SEE THAT SHE GETS SOME OF IT.TW ICE A DAY

WET MASH PROBIOTIC RECIPE FOR A SINGLE CHICKEN.
IF CHICKEN IS MOULTING AND IS STRESSED DO THIS FOR ITS HEALTH:
ALSO IF TREATING SICK CHICKS OR ADULTS.
IE: WORMING, ANY TYPE DISEASE OR COCCIDIOSIS ETC:
...

This cure cancer?

 

[Louise Waffles]

I appreciate the advice, but the hen passed away. She was not able to empty her crop, or digest food. The only thing passing through her system was water. I did my very best with the knowledge I had. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done. Draining the fluid from her abdomen made her feel a little better. She was able to be outside, and do some chicken things before passing.

 

[peeper89]

That so sad I sorry she pass

 

[Eggcessive]

I appreciate the advice, but the hen passed away. She was not able to empty her crop, or digest food. The only thing passing through her system was water. I did my very best with the knowledge I had. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done. Draining the fluid from her abdomen made her feel a little better. She was able to be outside, and do some chicken things before passing.

Sorry for your loss, but at least she is not suffering. Ascites is caused by either heart or liver failure, or from egg peritonitis. There also can be collection of fluid from a cystic oviduct, I think. Sometimes you can do your own necropsy, taking pictures of the organs, and get help trying to identify what was going on. You are correct in that removing fluid is only a temporary measure to relieve pressure, ease the breathing, and make them more comfotable, but it is only a temporary fix.

 

[Louise Waffles]

That so sad I sorry she pass

Thank you for your sympathy.

 

[Louise Waffles]

Sorry for your loss, but at least she is not suffering. Ascites is caused by either heart or liver failure, or from egg peritonitis. There also can be collection of fluid from a cystic oviduct, I think. Sometimes you can do your own necropsy, taking pictures of the organs, and get help trying to identify what was going on. You are correct in that removing fluid is only a temporary measure to relieve pressure, ease the breathing, and make them more comfotable, but it is only a temporary fix.

This is the second white leghorn I have lost to these symptoms. I have one left and am watching her closely. I have never had this problem with any other chicken and wonder if leghorns are more prone to this? My last remaining leghorn lays huge eggs, I'm worried about the effect on her health.
I knew there was nothing to be done but provide comfort measures, but still, yes, very sad.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss