EMERGENCY! I don't know what I've got, but something is WRONG!

[Hatrick]

Doesn't seem to matter if I could afford one or not, there are no vets in the area (or any area nearby for that matter) that deal with chickens. Good grief. As a side note, her poo is really smelly. Don't know if maybe that fits the bill for any disease related explanation for her situation? I mean, I have three kids so I know bad smells but this is really bad. How long do I give her to get better?

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i think all chicken poo smells bad, and having it confined to the house only amplifies the odor. i wouldn't necessarily fret about that.

i am not a vet and not an expert. But i think that if there is a wing injury it could cause the imbalance. Perhaps it could be pulled tendon rather than a break. i wonder if you could use something to gently wrap the injured wing against the body, to keep it stable. If it is an injury such as that, it could take a while for it to heal, perhaps several weeks. So keeping her inside, comfortable, with food and water may be the best bet.

On the issue of vets, is there a college or university in your area that has a livestock department? You may be able to get some free help there. Or you could post on your local craigslist asking for help. You may find someone close to you who would be willing to look at your bird and lend a hand.

And, i know it seems overwhelming. But we all learn from each and every new experience with our chickens, be it good or bad. New things always throw me for a loop, too. Hang in there, and keep us updated.

 

[horsejody]

Yes, call a vet college, even if it's out of state. They often give good advice over the phone. Keep us posted.

 

[jjthink]

Just seeing this and I know a couple of days has passed already but I second the motion about the Rescue Remedy. As it sound slike you are already doing, comfort her, and keep her warm and dry and in a stress free area with all her needs met very close by (food, water, oyster shell, grit [if this confinement period goes on for awhile..]).

Does she seem possibly in pain? You can try crushing 1 baby aspirin (no substitutes) per cup of her water. Change out to a fresh batch twice a day if you can. It's also an antiinflammatory so if she has swelling from an injury (you may not see the swelling) it could help bring it down.

Keep her well hydrated. If she's not eating up to par (sound slike she may be eating normally, but if not...), you can add 3 drops of children's Polyvisol liquid vitamins per day (dribble slowly along her beak line with a dropper so she doesn't choke when swallowing it). I am parroting the dose I read here on BYC a lot.

Do what you can to get the vet advice recommended in the other posts.

Long shot, but just to rule it out, carefully check the bottom of her feet to make sure she didn't step on anything that impaled her.

Hopefully whatever she is experiencing is a temporary acute situation that will subside.
JJ.

 

[Hatrick]

So now Maple is mouth breathing, what does this mean? Is this mean she is getting worse or is it just a consequence of her being injured?

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

oh geez - either she is hot or dehydrated.. or yes.. she is getting worse.

i'm so sorry

is she drinking? have you tried giving her a little yogurt?


i know you are keeping her quiet and thats probably the best thing. i also know that this is very difficult and overwhelming to watch. but short of taking her to a bird or farm vet you really are doing everything you can.

hang in there.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i agree, when a chicken has her beak open she is either hot or stressed. How is she today?

 

[Hatrick]

No better. I'm starting to wonder if I should just end this. I can't bear to watch her like this anymore. She's still breathing with her mouth open. I read all the posts on at-home euthinasia, and bah...

I don't want to do any of them, for fear of doing it wrong. The local shelter wants too much $$. Has anyone ever heard of the peroxide/baking soda method working well for this. I'm concerned about getting the concentration wrong and...this sucks. I know a local farmer, but if there's any chance that this is Marek's and not an injury then I don't want to bring her there. Should I give her more time?

 

[Hatrick]

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to end this. She almost seems to be having seizures. Every so often she shakes her head violently back and forth. She has stopped even trying to eat. Any ideas?

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i'm so sorry. i don't know what to suggest. i have heard the fastest way is to chop their heads off. i don't think i could handle that, personally. The baking soda method i have only heard used for little chicks. i could be wrong.

i hope your girl passes away gently on her own. Again, i'm so sorry. i know this must be so hard for you.