Dying hen

[hensdeliverthegoods]

I'm about experience the first loss from my flock. I have a hen that hasn't been eating, and today she couldn't walk. I took her out, put her in a crate and have been syringe-feeding electrolyte fluids. There are no signs of injury or disease on her that I can see, and everyone else is fine. I don't really expect her to make it, because the flies were already landing on her when I took her out of the pen. I know these things happen, but it's my first sick chickie, and I'm rather sad about it. Poor lil' Begonia....

 

[loverOFchickens]

What kind is she?

 

[hensdeliverthegoods]

She's a sex-link, Golden Comet variety. I could always recognize her by her one huge white feather in her wing. I just checked on her, and she's still alive...

 

[CityClucks]

What a bummer. Poor Begonia - sounds like you're doing what you can to make her comfortable.

 

[cw]

im sorry for you loss
u know what she?
u gonna send her off to be tested see if the rest of the flock can get it?

 

[RAWR]

aww thats sad :[
just know shes going to be out of her pain soon and she'll be in a better place, or the big chicken run in the sky (as i like to look at it)

 

[hensdeliverthegoods]

UPDATE! I just checked on her again, and she's eating her laying pellets! What the heck, from death's door to eating in 6 hours? Dare I hope?

 

[RAWR]

omg! thats amazing

im so happy for you!!!

 

[speckledhen]

I hope she pulls through! High production hens, like many hatchery hens, but especially the sexlinks, can have so many internal egg issues like internal laying, etc. I've lost too many to that stuff.

 

[sammi]

describe the droppings..color and consistency
has she been wormed?
what all do you feed?
do you give crushed oyster shell?

does she have any wet or swollen eyes?
any wheezing?
check the vent for drainage and make sure it's clear and clean
check her over well for any sores that might be attracting the flies.


try making up this mix:

this is for 1 day..divide into 3 feeds for the day..give for 5 days..

1 cooked egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon honey or unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
3-4 tablespoons soaked softened oatmeal
enough layer feed to make puffy.

hope she does better..