chickenlibraria
In the Brooder
- Aug 1, 2015
- 40
- 0
- 32
I have a year old barred rock hen that has some pretty nondescript behaviors that I am having a hard time pinpointing what the problem might be. She is one of 8 layers that I have, all are about the same age. They are confined during the day but free range once I get home. I let them all out yesterday and about half an hour later I noticed "Little Girl" was laying in the yard on her side. At first I thought something got her but when I went outside she got up and ran over to a puddle of water and started drinking. I monitored her for few minutes. She stood by herself and started falling asleep. So I scooped her up and brought her inside.
She started drinking lots and lots of water. She actually threw some up on me. So I thought she had something wrong with her crop. I turned her upside down a bit and all the water came out! Her crop was completely empty at that point and has stayed empty. She has little interest in eating. I can get her to drink a little.
I gave her some deworming meds thinking that she might have worms. But at this point I'm not sure that's the problem. Her stools are very, very watery and green. I've attached a picture.
I've been to my local Agway twice. Today they thought it could be dehydration. I've called a local vet who told me she treats chickens. She told me to call the tractor supply. So I called two of them. I can't seem to figure out what could be going on. I put Little Girl back outside and she ran around for a few minutes but then fell over on her side (much like I found her yesterday).
I have her on antibiotics at this point hoping that something will help (Duramycin). Could it be coccidiosis? Oh, they had access to our compost pile. I keep the coop pretty clean. The run has a cover over half of it but the other half is exposed to the elements. It's been very rainy and cold here. None of the other chickens are showing symptoms. I'm planning on cleaning out the coop and run again tomorrow for safe measures.
I checked to make sure she isn't egg bound. She's not. We can cross that one off the list.
Any ideas? I've been reading backyard chickens all day and all I can say is that I am hopelessly confused. Little Girl is hanging in there. Here's a pic of her from earlier today.
She started drinking lots and lots of water. She actually threw some up on me. So I thought she had something wrong with her crop. I turned her upside down a bit and all the water came out! Her crop was completely empty at that point and has stayed empty. She has little interest in eating. I can get her to drink a little.
I gave her some deworming meds thinking that she might have worms. But at this point I'm not sure that's the problem. Her stools are very, very watery and green. I've attached a picture.
I've been to my local Agway twice. Today they thought it could be dehydration. I've called a local vet who told me she treats chickens. She told me to call the tractor supply. So I called two of them. I can't seem to figure out what could be going on. I put Little Girl back outside and she ran around for a few minutes but then fell over on her side (much like I found her yesterday).
I have her on antibiotics at this point hoping that something will help (Duramycin). Could it be coccidiosis? Oh, they had access to our compost pile. I keep the coop pretty clean. The run has a cover over half of it but the other half is exposed to the elements. It's been very rainy and cold here. None of the other chickens are showing symptoms. I'm planning on cleaning out the coop and run again tomorrow for safe measures.
I checked to make sure she isn't egg bound. She's not. We can cross that one off the list.
Any ideas? I've been reading backyard chickens all day and all I can say is that I am hopelessly confused. Little Girl is hanging in there. Here's a pic of her from earlier today.
