Help, I think my chicken is dying

[hmccull]

I have noticed different behavior in my Black Sex Link for about a month now. She has been isolating herself from my other two chickens. I have checked her multiple times but didn't find anything really wrong. She would still come running if she thought I had food. She is 2 years old now and has not laid an egg since the end of last summer.

Yesterday morning I noticed she wasn't moving a whole lot. She would not leave the coop. She just laid there as if she didn't have the strength to move. I checked her for injuries, and checked her skin for lice or mites. But found nothing. I also noticed that she had a lot of white/yellow poo stuck to the feathers around her vent. I cleaned her up a bit. She spent most of the day in the coop and hidden from the others. She barely had any water and is refusing to eat.

Today she has not come out of the coop at all. She spent most of the day sitting in the corner of the coop. Her tail is flat and her comb is beginning to lose color. She still won't eat and has not had anything to drink that I am aware of. She does not have a lot of strength. I am worried about her and fear the worst! I just don't know what else I can do for her anymore. Is she in the dying process? She still seems very alert for now, but just won't move. please help.

 

[Gingersnap722]

I have a girl who's doing pretty much the same. When we closed everyone up in the coop last night she was missing, so we went looking for her. We found her laying off by herself. We put her in the coop and this morning she was sitting on the bottom of the coop. Just went to check on her and she was out moving around, but as soon as I walked up to her she laid down. I've quarantined her and I'm going back out to check on her soon to see if she's eating or drinking.

I sure hope someone has some ideas.

 

[Eggcessive]

She could be suffering from egg yolk peritonitis or internal laying, which can cause her symptoms. It can cause yellow material in the stools, but the stools may change in appearance. When you pick her up does her breast bone feel prominent like she has lost weight? Is her lower abdomen full or appear to have fluid inside? Unfortunately if peritonitis is her problem, other than giving some penicillin and feeding her some scrambled egg, there is not much that can be done. You may try giving her some Poultry Cell or Nutridrench for poultry to herk her up so you can treat her. Sorry, but many things look alike with chickens. Just be sure to check her for mites and lice, worm her with SafeGuard or Valbazen, and check her crop in case it's not EYP. Here is some reading for you:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/526089/egg-yolk-peritonitis

 

[hmccull]

I will check her again this morning but I do remember checking her bottom abdomen and yes I do remember it feeling as though there was fluid sitting there. I tried offering her food but she just won't eat. And is barely moving. But her head is not hanging down. . I don't want her to suffer. She is my favorite chicken too.

 

[hmccull]

Thank you for the info. That is exactly what it appears to be. Even last summer I noticed a change in her eggs. She was laying very thin shelled eggs. Even with the oyster shell I was giving her. This makes me sad, but I know now what has to be done! Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Gingersnap722]

I just checked my girl, who is laying down again and when we turned her over, she had an almost milky colored substance come out of her mouth and nostrils. She's very lethargic.

 

[hmccull]

I am very sorry Gingersnap722.

 

[hmccull]

Looks like my girl will go on her own. She is beginning to close her eyes more often! And is now holding her head down more. She was a good chicken and I will miss her morning songs!

 

[Gingersnap722]

Yes, I just went out to check on mine again and she was gone.

I didn't even get a chance to try and save her. She went pretty quick. I'm sorry about your girl too.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, I just went out to check on mine again and she was gone.

I didn't even get a chance to try and save her. She went pretty quick. I'm sorry about your girl too.

Sorry for your loss.