green poop caked on hen's butt acts lethargic help! *update mites!!!!*

[PortageGirl]

stay calm about it, not much to be done at the moment, fluids and rest!

Here's another thread with lots of info in it, but don't try to do TOO much either. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=219553&p=1 take it one step at a time is my advice.

I guess I've been pretty darn lucky over the years! *knock wood* I've had impacted crops and lost a few to mystery illnesses and had my share of predators, but never SEEN some of the stuff that people run into, it sure is good to hear all these people who know what to do though. Learning is GOOD! I've tended to have stable flocks, with few additions, and they've always been basic dual purpose breeds... I know I'm a lucky cluck!

edit // DOH! I see threehorses replied! Listen to threehorses not me!!! Well, maybe a little me, as in stay calm and take it one step at a time.

 

[PortageGirl]

How's she doing this AM? Hope you can get out today for things you need, I know I am reviewing my medicine chest so my supplies are more complete and so expiration dates and quality are all in good shape. Winter is coming and we can't always get out easily.

I was thinking of you while letting my girls out this AM.

 

[obe10]

thank you for the support

last night i got some gatorade in her and this morning some more. her poop is extremely sticky! and it seems like she has an odd smell coming off her. her feathers are falling out everywhere! when i pick her up to hold her about 10 feathers fall out in that process. she will eat some crumbled up lettuce but that is about it. i am having to give her water through a syringe, she hates that, but it has to be done. i will try to get a picture of her so ya'll can see her feathers, they look pretty bad (like just before a chicken molts) i wish i knew what was wrong with her

i am trying to keep her hydrated, wiping her little butt and applying baby powder. i don't have any molasses or apple sauce so i will have to get some today.


threehorses, is there anything else you would like to know about her?
i will try to get a picture of her feathers as soon as possible.

edited to say i found some molasses and am making a small amount of applesauce i will give her the mix as soon as it is ready. i hope she eats it, i know it will help her... also i have some durramycin antibiotics. and i have some multivitamin tablets with no iron. i guess i could crush that up and give it to her?

 

[obe10]

here are some pictures of her

 

[threehorses]

The most important thing is this: Are there feathers coming in to replace the feathers lost? Please look carefully.

Is she having any paralysis? Any drooping wings anything like that?

I'm concerned about the feathers coming out. It's the time for a molt, but it's only a molt if there are pinfeathers coming in. If there are not, then it could indeed be botulism if they can get to compost. It can just be decaying vegetation that does it (or the mildews therein), doesn't have to be true rotting stuff or maggots (though obviously those are components often found in a compost pile that your birds can get to and clean up before you even know they're there).

I'd do 1 heaping teaspoon of molasses in a cup of warm water, and use that over four hours as her 'water' - if you can add electrolytes, that's good as well. If you want to cool the water (after getting the molasses all in it) and add yogurt and honey, that helps the birds drink it.

After four hours, stop all flushes. Use yogurt, crumbles, (honey for taste), and water - electrolytes in her regular water - to get her to eat and drink.

 

[threehorses]

Oh and no on the antibiotics - those aren't the right type for anything she's possibly have, and they'd only kill off her good gut bacteria.

She sure is cute tho! She looks perky - I'm still thinking mega molt, but the flush will not hurt and could help tremendously.

 

[obe10]

threehorses, i know what is wrong with her!!! i took her outside and had a look at her in the good light first i saw a LOT of pin feathers, and thought ok, she is just having a bad molt. then i saw MITES! or some tan colored flea looking nearly micro bug

we are cleaning out the nest boxes now. do you think the rest of my flock has mites just because she has them? what do i do to get rid of them? dust her? with what?


edited to say i have done some research and i think it is chicken body louse

 

[obe10]

here is a picture of her new feathers starting to come in but i also saw louse/mite droppings or something. i did see a few bugs on her but i don't think it is a lot of them. will she be ok? i have heard that mites/louse can kill them is this true?

 

[threehorses]

Wow, yes she's really going through a molt.

On the bugs, what shape are they? Long, or like a period.

If you have them in one, all your birds should be treated. In either case, you can and should use various permethrin products - check the active ingredients on the label. You can use the dust on the birds, or you can use the 10% permethrin spray diluted down according to the label. I find the dust useful under bedding, in the bedding, and on the birds for most spots. You'll have to use the spray if you have mites as mites spend most of their time off of the birds, laying eggs in the wood in the coop. Spray 3' up from the floors, all the nestbox wood, the roosts, etc. Dilute and spray the birds if you choose to use the spray. Dust if you choose to use the dust. Use a knee-high stocking over the end to make it less wasteful. I personally wear gloves and pour some dust into my hand, then use my hand to apply to the bird - I find that less wasteful than just using the shaker can.

And yes, particularly if the bird is in an immune reduced state (which is any time they molt) mites and lice can kill a bird.

Feed her high nutrition food - eggs, the yogurt, her mash, vitamins - to aleviate anemia. Electrolytes in the water help as well. The protein of eggs of gamebird layer (if she's laying age) help with feather growth.

I suspect mites as they often cause the clinging droppings at the vent. But certainly bugs AND molt would be enough to cause a hen to feel this poorly.

Much better scenario than botulism!

If you're seeing clusters of white eggs near her feather shafts, there's at least lice. It's possible for them to both occur at once.

 

[obe10]

the bugs are light brown and shaped like an oval the have a black dot on them i think