Help - I think my chicken is dying and miserable

[Jchicken311]

Thats good she is still eating and drinking wouldn't want her to feel worse

 

[cafarmgirl]

If her lower body feels swollen and she is waddling/walking with legs apart as a result, that sounds like ascites. An accumulation of fluid in the body cavities. It is common in hens who have internal laying problems and they may or may not also have peritonitis as a result. It can also be a result of problems with other major organs such as heart or liver. The blue or purple comb suggests her circulation is poor which is also common with ascites. The outlook for these hens is very poor. You can drain the fluid or have a vet do it but it always comes back. It makes them more comfortable and makes it easier to breath but it does not solve the underlying cause.

 

[bny806]

Yes, cafarmgirl, that is a perfect description of her - she appears bloated and bigger (her abdomen)... The crazy thing is we had another hen who broke an egg inside and got really sick, didn't eat or drink for days - her comb turned super pale and purple.. she didn't move for a few days from where she was, we were sure she was going to die.. and then she turned around -she never laid another egg (as our girl now hasn't laid one since all of this either)... I just don't know when to "call it a day" with them, especially since we have seen one turn around, and another one survive a bad mauling by a coyote... they are tough! But, I don't want them to suffer- So, I always want to make the right/best decision for them!

 

[cafarmgirl]

I know, I feel the same way, it's hard to know when they've had enough sometimes. Especially since they are so capable of acting almost completely normal until they are very, very sick.

Maybe you've seen it but Boctobery has a thread here about her internal laying hen who had surgery today. It's iffy and not for everyone but certainly an option to think about if one wanted to and has access to an avian vet willing to try.

 

[ten chicks]

Here is a link for an article regarding Ascites,although this article referes to broiler chickens,the same management system applies to all chickens. Another thing to look at is limiting salt content(check sodium content in feed) and amount bird is receiving from other foods.The causes of ascites are varied cancer,liver/heart issues are just a few.

http://www.canadianpoultry.ca/ascites.html

 

[bny806]

Thanks so much for the info yall! I really appreciate it.... unfortunately when we opened up the coop this am, she was dead She seemed to have really perked up yesterday.. maybe to her last try at it... ugh.. so frustrating, and I can't help but think we might should have put her out of her misery sooner.. I just hope she wasn't in pain for those last few days...

 

[ten chicks]

My condolences on the passing of your girl,always heartbreaking when a pet dies.

 

[lmcfadden7]

My big Turken has the same problem. I know she is dying and I don't know how to help her. Unlike most chicken deaths, this one is dying like a human. I've bathed her back end and I've forcefed her liquids with anitbiotics. I did take her out for fresh air but it's now painful for her to move and she's tucked into a corner in the coop, separated from the other birds. I don't have the strength to put her out of her misery or the heart to watch her suffer. Not sure what to do. So sad for Big Red.

 

[bny806]

imcfadden - so sorry to hear you're going through similar.. it's just awful to feel so helpless! I feel like we should have helped her out of her misery, since she did die a slow death.. but since we had seen a chicken come back from being so sick, I didn't want to do anything prematurely either.. Plus, I don't even know what you do, or how you do it!?!! I hope your chicken turns around!

 

[ten chicks]

My big Turken has the same problem. I know she is dying and I don't know how to help her. Unlike most chicken deaths, this one is dying like a human. I've bathed her back end and I've forcefed her liquids with anitbiotics. I did take her out for fresh air but it's now painful for her to move and she's tucked into a corner in the coop, separated from the other birds. I don't have the strength to put her out of her misery or the heart to watch her suffer. Not sure what to do. So sad for Big Red.

How long has she been ill? What are her symptoms?