I have an EE pullet who is just a little over 5 mos. old and just started laying at New Year's. Today is her 5th day of being sick but I can't figure out what's wrong. She started with just being hanging back from the rest a bit but would get up and eat, scratch, etc., even go outside when I opened the pen door [it's been down into single digits here lately]. She probably wasn't laying for a few days before I realized anything was wrong, but I can't be sure. She was just ADR - "ain't doin' right,' as they say.
Three days ago she was more lethargic and just perching with her feathers puffed out. I held her and felt her crop area, then did the same with a couple of the others, but couldn't feel anything different. It got so cold that I decided to bring her inside two nights ago, so I could see if anything could be done for her.
She stands most of the time, with her wings slightly drooping and her back looks kind of hunched, with the feathers around her back end poofed up. I don't see dishcharge or dried poop or anything in the vent area, although I can't get a really good look because she moves if I try to part the feathers.
I realized she wasn't pooping after having her inside overnight. That first night, it didn't seem like she ate or drank at all. I tried scrambled eggs, canned cat food, then apple bits, but no luck. She picked a bit at some plain yogurt, and some cracker pieces, but hasn't really eaten anything much. I tried getting some olive oil in her but can't get more than a few drops at a time.
Her water has vitamins and electrolytes and she did seem to drink more yesterday than the evening before. Last night, I gave her a warm bath with some Epsom salts mixed in; I tried to keep her in the soak for close to 10 min. While she was in the bath, I felt her underside thoroughly and could not feel any hard areas and she didn't react to any particular area when I palpated her.
Today, there seems to be a small amount of dark excrement in the shavings, but not much, and she's acting the same, lethargic, not interested in eating, etc.
I've been gone most of the day, and now I have spent some time with her and I realize I am hearing gut sounds coming from her, toward her rear end. It's like her stomach is gurgling - does anybody have any idea what that could mean?
Three days ago she was more lethargic and just perching with her feathers puffed out. I held her and felt her crop area, then did the same with a couple of the others, but couldn't feel anything different. It got so cold that I decided to bring her inside two nights ago, so I could see if anything could be done for her.
She stands most of the time, with her wings slightly drooping and her back looks kind of hunched, with the feathers around her back end poofed up. I don't see dishcharge or dried poop or anything in the vent area, although I can't get a really good look because she moves if I try to part the feathers.
I realized she wasn't pooping after having her inside overnight. That first night, it didn't seem like she ate or drank at all. I tried scrambled eggs, canned cat food, then apple bits, but no luck. She picked a bit at some plain yogurt, and some cracker pieces, but hasn't really eaten anything much. I tried getting some olive oil in her but can't get more than a few drops at a time.
Her water has vitamins and electrolytes and she did seem to drink more yesterday than the evening before. Last night, I gave her a warm bath with some Epsom salts mixed in; I tried to keep her in the soak for close to 10 min. While she was in the bath, I felt her underside thoroughly and could not feel any hard areas and she didn't react to any particular area when I palpated her.
Today, there seems to be a small amount of dark excrement in the shavings, but not much, and she's acting the same, lethargic, not interested in eating, etc.
I've been gone most of the day, and now I have spent some time with her and I realize I am hearing gut sounds coming from her, toward her rear end. It's like her stomach is gurgling - does anybody have any idea what that could mean?
I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and hope for the best.
