Dying of old age?

Stuwe

Songster
5 Years
Feb 16, 2019
55
59
116
John Day, OR
I noticed yesterday that one of my ladies, Virginia (red sex link, 3 years old on 3/31/21), was standing still and was all puffed up. I went and had a look at her. Didn't see any mites, her crop feels normal.... I haven't seen any poops but I also wasn't watching her all day either... Her waddle is still bright. No puffy/swollen/drippy eyes. By all accounts she looks good. She just went through a molt (but all her feathers are back now) and hasn't been laying for a while.

I was reading a different thread about a gal with similar symptoms and a lot of folks said Coccidiosis.... but then, after reading more about her breed - apparently this could be the end times for her? I didn't realize they had such a short life span....

It's pretty sad to see as she's the most spunky of our bunch. All the other ladies are fine... I just don't know what the best route is... Should I treat with Corid just in case? Or just make my baby comfortable for her last days? This morning she got up and kind of wandered around the yard then broke off the rest of the flock and is just sitting in the corner of the yard, pouting...
 

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I noticed yesterday that one of my ladies, Virginia (red sex link, 3 years old on 3/31/21), was standing still and was all puffed up. I went and had a look at her. Didn't see any mites, her crop feels normal.... I haven't seen any poops but I also wasn't watching her all day either... Her waddle is still bright. No puffy/swollen/drippy eyes. By all accounts she looks good. She just went through a molt (but all her feathers are back now) and hasn't been laying for a while.

I was reading a different thread about a gal with similar symptoms and a lot of folks said Coccidiosis.... but then, after reading more about her breed - apparently this could be the end times for her? I didn't realize they had such a short life span....

It's pretty sad to see as she's the most spunky of our bunch. All the other ladies are fine... I just don't know what the best route is... Should I treat with Corid just in case? Or just make my baby comfortable for her last days? This morning she got up and kind of wandered around the yard then broke off the rest of the flock and is just sitting in the corner of the yard, pouting...
She doesn't look well in the picture.
I would treat her for Coccidiosis now and see if that helps.
A few pictures of her poop clear daylight pictures of her poop might help.
 
She doesn't look well in the picture.
I would treat her for Coccidiosis now and see if that helps.
A few pictures of her poop clear daylight pictures of her poop might help.
Curious what is jumping out at you from the picture? That's how she's always looked...
 
Curious what is jumping out at you from the picture? That's how she's always looked...
She looks hunched up ad her comb isn't as bright as I would expect from a healthy hen, even one that is't in lay.
I realise that sex links tend to have a relativly short life span but I think a course of Corid, if that's what you have is worthwhile.
In general, the high production breeds suffer from reproductive issues early. Often this problem can be seen in their poop. Bright colours, green and yellow are indicators as are shell less eggs.
Give the corid a shot. It may help and is unlikely to do any harm. I dose by soaking pieces of partially stale bread in the coccidiosis formula and feeding by hand. Getting the correct dose into the chicken is important.
 
Her comb looks purple to me. (Anyone think that?) Purple comb is a sign of reduced O2. Either a heart problem, circulatory problem, breathing problem, it's hard to say. Three years old even for a hybrid is a little short. However, they are at a much higher risk for dying due to prolapses, egg binding, egg peritonitis, or reproductive cancer. The first three can be treatable depending on the stage that it was first observed. I'd see if you can get some antibiotics, and check her vent for signs of infection or being egg bound. Feel her abdomen to see if its swollen and poofy. Have you checked her crop? Is it full? Empty? Hard? Squishy? Check for mites or lice as well.
 
She looks hunched up ad her comb isn't as bright as I would expect from a healthy hen, even one that is't in lay.
I realise that sex links tend to have a relativly short life span but I think a course of Corid, if that's what you have is worthwhile.
In general, the high production breeds suffer from reproductive issues early. Often this problem can be seen in their poop. Bright colours, green and yellow are indicators as are shell less eggs.
Give the corid a shot. It may help and is unlikely to do any harm. I dose by soaking pieces of partially stale bread in the coccidiosis formula and feeding by hand. Getting the correct dose into the chicken is important.
huh, okay - we'll give it a shot. thanks.
 

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