Help, I think my chicken is dying

[hmccull]

I am sorry for your loss. Mine is still fighting. But I can see she is wearing down quick! I don't know what to do. Should I let her sit peacefully and go on her own or speed up the process? She is just sitting going in and out of sleep. The only thing she is really holding up is her head from time to time.

 

[Gingersnap722]

Aww, I'm so sorry. I guess if she's not in pain, you can let her go on her own.

 

[hmccull]

Ok so I have to report that there has been a change in my hen. But I don't know what it means. I decided to try and put water directly in front of her and she drank. Just a little while ago I decided to try giving her some bread. I threw a few pieces in front of her and she started eating them. Should I try giving her some scrambled eggs? What does this mean? Somebody please help me here. She is still not moving much except a few times in the bottom of the coop. Should I try giving her something else? This is a big improvement for her. Last night she would not touch food or water. Opinions please?

 

[Eggcessive]

Ok so I have to report that there has been a change in my hen. But I don't know what it means. I decided to try and put water directly in front of her and she drank. Just a little while ago I decided to try giving her some bread. I threw a few pieces in front of her and she started eating them. Should I try giving her some scrambled eggs? What does this mean? Somebody please help me here. She is still not moving much except a few times in the bottom of the coop. Should I try giving her something else? This is a big improvement for her. Last night she would not touch food or water. Opinions please?

I would feed her an egg every day, and try some electrolytes in her water, and some bread soaked in buttermilk. Have you checked to make sure that she isn't egg bound? Don't bathe her if you think she is because that might kill her since she is so weak. Here is a thread to read about peritonitis and ascites or water belly: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/853726/ascites-in-desperate-need-of-some-help-and-guidance

 

[Gingersnap722]

I also read that putting plain yogurt in the egg is good for them. Anyone else hear about this? That was my plan today, but when I got back home with the yogurt......

 

[hmccull]

I just checked her abdomen and it feels harder to me today then what I felt a few days ago. Still squishy but harder. I am unable to go to the store at this point and get some plain yogurt since my 8month old daughter is asleep and I cant trust my husband to respond to her if she should happen to wake up. I have seen a few people post about giving their chickens yogurt. What about Olive oil? I saw on the internet that a person gave their chicken olive oil to help pass an egg or blockage. Any other ideas? Should I just set the electrolytes in front of her or use a syringe to push them down? Thanks ladies for your help. I really appreciate it. I can only hope that maybe she will pull through this. But I know its a long shot.

 

[SassysMom]

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of both of your chickens. It's never easy.

~Connie

 

[Eggcessive]

I just checked her abdomen and it feels harder to me today then what I felt a few days ago. Still squishy but harder. I am unable to go to the store at this point and get some plain yogurt since my 8month old daughter is asleep and I cant trust my husband to respond to her if she should happen to wake up. I have seen a few people post about giving their chickens yogurt. What about Olive oil? I saw on the internet that a person gave their chicken olive oil to help pass an egg or blockage. Any other ideas? Should I just set the electrolytes in front of her or use a syringe to push them down? Thanks ladies for your help. I really appreciate it. I can only hope that maybe she will pull through this. But I know its a long shot.

If she is not drinking, you may need to feed her small amounts with a syringe carefully letting her swallow. Do not syringe feed her olive oil because she may aspirate it into her airway and die. Some lubricate the vent with oil to help pass a stuck egg. You can check her vent with a rubber glove by inserting a finger 1-2 inches into the vent to check for an egg. If your hen has egg yolk peritonitis, giving her nutrition, and perhaps antibiotics, and keeping her comfortable is about all you can do.

 

[hmccull]

Thank you. I will check her vent. She is drinking and she is eating the eggs I provided but she is sleeping more and more. So I just don't know what to do or think. She is hardly supporting her head now. I am torn. But if I go with my heart I say it's time to let her go and stop her suffering. She is so weak and is not even holding her wings up. I know what I need to do. Looking at her gives me my answer. It's just a hard one. Thank you all.