Help! Hen is sick/dying

[Leahbk]

When I got up this morning to let out my chickens, I found one on the floor not being able to move. I brought her in immediately and tried to find out what was wrong.

I don’t think she’s egg bound because she just pooped a few minutes ago. And I don’t think it’s bumblefoot stopping her from walking because I had a look at her feet and they look fine.



Her breathing sounds really rumbly and mucousy. I’ve been dripping water into her mouth and trying to get her to eat some scrambled egg. She’s standing up now which is an improvement but she’s still in awful shape.



I don’t know what to do, I’m panicking. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. She’s a rescue chicken I got earlier this year and I really grew attached to her. Her name is Crusty. I’m going to continue getting her to eat and drink for now. Even if she’s going to die, I want her to be as comfortable as possible.

Thank you,

Leah.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

I'm sorry to hear about your hen, but you doing great so far.
When did she last lay an egg?
Whats her diet?
How old is she (if u know)?

@Eggcessive

 

[Leahbk]

Hi,
She’s on gain layers pellets
I’m not really sure when she last laid an egg, it’s hard to tell who lays what. But I think it can’t have been more than a couple days ago

I'm sorry to hear about your hen, but you doing great so far.
When did she last lay an egg?
Whats her diet?
How old is she (if u know)?

@Eggcessive

Hi,
I’m not sure when she last laid an egg (theyre all brown eggers so I can’t rly tell lol) cant have been more than a couple days I’d say. She’s on gain layers pellets. I’m not sure how old she is, Rescue told me about 2/3. She’s getting worse now, can’t hold her head up and won’t swallow any water I put in her mouth. No vets are open unfortunately

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Hi,
I’m not sure when she last laid an egg (theyre all brown eggers so I can’t rly tell lol) cant have been more than a couple days I’d say. She’s on gain layers pellets. I’m not sure how old she is, Rescue told me about 2/3. She’s getting worse now, can’t hold her head up and won’t swallow any water I put in her mouth. No vets are open unfortunately

Thank you for your reply
Does she free range? If so, could she have any access to mould, carcasses, poisons etc.?
Could she have injured her head?

Could you give her some electrolytes in her water?
This is a good article on how to syringe feed them: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

 

[Leahbk]

Thank you for your reply
Does she free range? If so, could she have any access to mould, carcasses, poisons etc.?
Could she have injured her head?

Could you give her some electrolytes in her water?
This is a good article on how to syringe feed them: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

Thank you so much.
She doesn’t free range since i have dogs. I have no idea what could’ve happened. She’s been on the more frail side since I got her. I have some sugar in her water. I’ll read that article now thank you so much.

 

[Leahbk]

Thank you so much.
She doesn’t free range since i have dogs. I have no idea what could’ve happened. She’s been on the more frail side since I got her. I have some sugar in her water. I’ll read that article now thank you so much.

Just rang the emergency vets for advice. They said to treat her for egg binding so I’m going to do that even when she did poop just in case. If it wasn’t St. Stephen’s Day I’d be taking her into the vets but the emergency vet is €150 just for a consult said they don’t know much about chickens anyway

 

[ksbkeys]

When I got up this morning to let out my chickens, I found one on the floor not being able to move. I brought her in immediately and tried to find out what was wrong.

I don’t think she’s egg bound because she just pooped a few minutes ago. And I don’t think it’s bumblefoot stopping her from walking because I had a look at her feet and they look fine.



Her breathing sounds really rumbly and mucousy. I’ve been dripping water into her mouth and trying to get her to eat some scrambled egg. She’s standing up now which is an improvement but she’s still in awful shape.



I don’t know what to do, I’m panicking. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. She’s a rescue chicken I got earlier this year and I really grew attached to her. Her name is Crusty. I’m going to continue getting her to eat and drink for now. Even if she’s going to die, I want her to be as comfortable as possible.

Thank you,

Leah.

So sorry this is happening! Could she have a respiratory illness? I am not sure how to treat but there must be an article here that tells!

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Just rang the emergency vets for advice. They said to treat her for egg binding so I’m going to do that even when she did poop just in case. If it wasn’t St. Stephen’s Day I’d be taking her into the vets but the emergency vet is €150 just for a consult said they don’t know much about chickens anyway

Ok
She is pooping, could you take a photo?

 

[Leahbk]

Thank you everyone for your advice. Unfortunately, she died a few minutes ago.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Thank you everyone for your advice. Unfortunately, she died a few minutes ago.

I'm so sorry for your loss, crusty was an adorable hen, and i'm sure she was very loved by you, and had a good life.


If you would like to, you could do a home necrospy
Here is a link showing you how to do one: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/necropsy-labs-necropsy-manual-necropsy-videos.75770/

I totally understand that you probably won't want to do one, so please dont feel like you have to.

I'm sorry for your loss