Dying chicken, please help

[junebuggena]

She is a black sexlink. We buy organic laying pellets mix and they get kitchen scraps.

Looks like a pretty normal, molting hen. Layer feed has just barely enough protein in it for egg production, and it's formulated to be the only thing fed. When you start adding things to the diet, like forage and scraps, you start to run the risk of nutritional deficiencies. Molting hens need lots of protein. It takes a lot of energy to grow in those feathers. I suggest switching to a higher protein feed and allowing the hens to self regulate their calcium intake via crushed oyster shell.
She doesn't really look severely ill at all. Body position is normal, eyes are bright and alert, tail and wings aren't droopy.

 

[diamondie]

Looks like a pretty normal, molting hen. Layer feed has just barely enough protein in it for egg production, and it's formulated to be the only thing fed. When you start adding things to the diet, like forage and scraps, you start to run the risk of nutritional deficiencies. Molting hens need lots of protein. It takes a lot of energy to grow in those feathers. I suggest switching to a higher protein feed and allowing the hens to self regulate their calcium intake via crushed oyster shell.
She doesn't really look severely ill at all. Body position is normal, eyes are bright and alert, tail and wings aren't droopy.

That was taken a month ago right before I gave her wazine. I will take another one now. She really has deteriorated.

 

[junebuggena]

It should also be noted that it's normal for hens to stop laying at this time of year.

 

[diamondie]

It should also be noted that it's normal for hens to stop laying at this time of year.

She has not layed in few months I realized that just a month ago when i reaaly got worried about her. She is lethargic today and hiding in a cage we had for a new chicken. I really appreciate your input. I had no idea kitchen scape might be doing more damage with nutrient deficiency.

 

[Kiki]

Sorry your girl isn't doing well.
Do you think it could be possible that she was laying internally, a while back, before she started looking this sick?

Here is a good article to read about 'feeding'
http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

 

[Riche Bronson]

My 1.5 year old chicken has been getting sick for months now, watery stools, she has been losing weight and the combs is very bluish pale. However, she has been very energetic and eating but not laying. A month ago I gave her wazine and no help. The last 2 days she is looking more lethargic and is mainly laying down now. Saw her eating and drinking as well today. Is there anything at all that I can try or do as one last trial before she goes?? Of note, all the other chickens are in the same coop and they are perfectly fine. She is our kids first chicken so we are very sentimental. Really appreciate any tips.

Feed her boiled egg yolk mixed with a couple drops of iron free Poly Vi Sol (human baby vitamin drops), with yogurt mixed in (for healthy belly bacteria) a couple times a day... and bump her regular food up to a higher protein level. Try to pamper her for a few days, put her in a box alone where its warm and quiet, plenty of clean water, and see if this diet can help her get her strength back. It’s worth a shot. Saved quite a few hens and chicks, with no obvious signs of illness or disease, this way.

 

[junebuggena]

She has not layed in few months I realized that just a month ago when i reaaly got worried about her. She is lethargic today and hiding in a cage we had for a new chicken. I really appreciate your input. I had no idea kitchen scape might be doing more damage with nutrient deficiency.

She was just starting to molting a month ago, which explains why you haven't seen her eggs for a while. Looks like she may still be growing in feathers. I do suspect it's nutrition related if she's been on layer feed this whole time and not laying. All that calcium can actually cause kidney damage and can even be fatal. Bring her in so she doesn't have to expend energy to keep warm. Add some multivitamin mix to her water and definitely give her some hard boiled eggs to eat.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

x2 on that AND check for mites. I have a feeling she is lowest in the pecking order.

 

[Eggcessive]

My molting hens get a bit scrawny and have poor appetites. They will eat chopped eggs, tuna, meat, or chopped liver of any kind. Placing her in the dog crate with her own food and water (but with the other chickens in sight) could be a good way to get her well. Wazine only treats roundworm. If you could get some fresh droppings tested locally for coccidia and worms, that could rule out a couple of things. Internal laying and egg yolk peritonitis, though, can affect hens this young. That is not a death sentence right away. Those things are hard to diagnose until after death occurs, though. So I would give her some extra protein, maybe increase the feed to flock raiser 20% protein or even gamebird starter 24%.

 

[diamondie]

Thank you so much. I had sent out her poop sample on Monday, was hoping to have it back by Friday but didn't happen and today I am pretty terrified by her lethargy. I gave her a hardboiled egg sprinkled with a few drops of poly vitasol. She also ate some plain yogurt. She is now in a cage with water and food just laying there. We live in FL and it's
85 degrees so not worrying about her being cold. I appreciate all the tips!!

A

My molting hens get a bit scrawny and have poor appetites. They will eat chopped eggs, tuna, meat, or chopped liver of any kind. Placing her in the dog crate with her own food and water (but with the other chickens in sight) could be a good way to get her well. Wazine only treats roundworm. If you could get some fresh droppings tested locally for coccidia and worms, that could rule out a couple of things. Internal laying and egg yolk peritonitis, though, can affect hens this young. That is not a death sentence right away. Those things are hard to diagnose until after death occurs, though. So I would give her some extra protein, maybe increase the feed to flock raiser 20% protein or even gamebird starter 24%.