Green poo and lethargic

[Mnorthey16]

Hoping someone can help me out. I’ve only had chickens for 3 years but finding medical advice when a hen is sick is proving difficult.

I have a Cochin hen about 2 years old. Very lethargic, pale comb, not eating or drinking much. Has lost a lot of weight. Also, noticing green poop (see pic). No respiratory issues or coughing/sneezing. Eyes look clear. Has not laid an egg in over a week.

Free range during the day. In the coop/enclosure at night or when I’m away. Food is fresh (kalmbach). Found white debris floating on top of water so changed it all out. No other chickens seem sick.. yet.

Any ideas?

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she lay eggs with normal shells regularly except for the last week? How does her crop feel—empty, full, firm, dough like or puffy? You might try giving her a human calcium tablet just in case she is having trouble laying an egg. I would try getting her to take some scrambled egg and moistened watery chicken feed. Look her over for any lice or mites on her skin, under her belly and elsewhere.

 

[Mnorthey16]

Lays normal eggs. Her crop feels empty maybe a little doughy? I just treated for mites a couple weeks ago.

 

[Eggcessive]

Mites are difficult to treat. Permethrin dust or spray needs to be used at least twice every 7 days to get the newly hatched ones before they breed. Bedding should also be changed after coop, roosts, and nests are emptied and sprayed. Recheck her crop first thing each morning. Coconut oil chilled and cut into small pieces and offered 1-2 tsp daily may help. Follow with massage of the crop several time s a day. This article about crops is good:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Mnorthey16]

Lays normal eggs. Her crop feels empty maybe a little doughy? I just treated for mites a couple weeks ago.

I just checked her crop and it just feels non existent. It’s night and she is in my basement. She seems hot and is panting despite it being 70f.

 

[Mnorthey16]

Mites are difficult to treat. Permethrin dust or spray needs to be used at least twice every 7 days to get the newly hatched ones before they breed. Bedding should also be changed after coop, roosts, and nests are emptied and sprayed. Recheck her crop first thing each morning. Coconut oil chilled and cut into small pieces and offered 1-2 tsp daily may help. Follow with massage of the crop several time s a day. This article about crops is good:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Thanks I’ll check that out!

I treated them with Elector PSP. I didn’t see that it needed another application for poultry mites but maybe I missed that.

 

[MayorShinn]

Hi there - hope your chicken is all better! I have a hen (1 y/o sussex) with really similar symptoms. She’s been very lethargic/wobbly for 2 days, not eating as much as usual, still drinking some water, and had a very similar poop just now. We treated the whole flock for coccidiosis a few weeks back, and just re-started that regimen. We also just gave her a de-wormer, and have fed her some mushy food, scrambled eggs, and mealworms. Would love to know if you learned anything or how you continued treatment. Thank you!

 

[Mnorthey16]

Hi there - hope your chicken is all better! I have a hen (1 y/o sussex) with really similar symptoms. She’s been very lethargic/wobbly for 2 days, not eating as much as usual, still drinking some water, and had a very similar poop just now. We treated the whole flock for coccidiosis a few weeks back, and just re-started that regimen. We also just gave her a de-wormer, and have fed her some mushy food, scrambled eggs, and mealworms. Would love to know if you learned anything or how you continued treatment. Thank you!

My whole flock ended up testing positive for Mareks. It started slow and then really took hold. Lost half my flock. It’s finally slowing down. The poop was not just green but emerald green (very bright) and my chickens would become very skinny and then eventually die. It sucks. Hopefully, you have something else. I sent a few deceased chickens to my state lab for diagnosis.

 

[MayorShinn]

@Mnorthey16 - I’m so sorry to hear about the Marek’s disease.

Thank you for sharing your learnings, and best wishes to you and your crew!