HELP! Lethargic 24 week old SLW Hen! (with pics)

[Pigglewiggle]

I just came home from a week long vacation (responsible friend feeding and watering) and my 24 week old hen Mrs. Pigglewiggle just isn't right. She lays down all the time and closes her eyes a lot. Sometimes her head droops when I hold her. Her poop is a bit runny, clear and white. She started laying a week and a half ago (I think it was her). She gets laying mash mixed with oyster shells and veggies and fruit for goodies, though she hasn't gotten the fruits and veggies for the past week because I've been gone. It has been fairly hot here but she has had access to shade and fresh water. I opened her beak and gave her fresh water when I got home an hour ago, and have separated her from the other 13 hens (no roos). Should I be forcing her to eat something? Any suggestions would be appreciated as this is my first flock.

Here are some pics:

 

[hinkjc]

Aww, she looks quite depressed. How are her stools? Any sign of blood?

I would encourage drinking for now. Add vitamins/electrolytes to the water to give her a boost. Check her over for bugs. They can deplete birds quickly, although her comb is still pink, so I don't think that's the issue. You can also offer her yogurt or hard boiled egg yolk and see if she'll eat something. I wouldn't force feed. Just encourage drinking. If she won't drink on her own, you can dribble droplets on the side of her beak to try to get her to take some.

 

[Pigglewiggle]

Thank you for the reply!!!

Stools are white and runny, no blood.

I have been giving her water and some yogurt which she seems interested in sometimes.

Her head seems hot to me.

Should I be thinking of any antibiotic? Am I able to buy one without seeing a vet? I won't be able to get it until tomorrow am (everything closed now).

 

[jjthink]

I will second that "aww" - she looks so weak and sad

I do wonder if she got seriously overheated. What kind of temps are we talking about for your area and how warm might it have gotten in the coop?

Another possibility, if not bugs, may be an egg issue, but hopefully not.

You have her separated - that's good. Keep her very comfy, in a nice temp (not too hot, not too cold) and stress free quiet area. Hopefully she can get some sleep.

Last September I had a hen go weak like that, head down, and rushed her to the vet same day. Blood work revealed results consistent with infection AND/OR inflammation. She responded practically immediately to meds and has been the picture of health since - never knew what hit her but felt like she wasn't going to make it without that assistance. Your hen likely has something completely different of course, but she looks very depleted.

As noted just above, V&E in water (if she doesn't want to drink, it may be easier initially to oh so carefully dribble 3 drops Polyvisol childrens vitamins daily along her beak line with a dropper so she swallows on her own and doesn't choke, this technique also suggested above). If she shows any interest at all in a nice wet cool fruit like watermelon or cut up grapes, I would let her have some.

JJ

 

[Pigglewiggle]

JJ -
Last Saturday and Sunday it reached 100 degrees, but none of the hens showed any stress. The rest of the week and thru this weekend it was in the low 80's. Nighttime temps are in the 60's. Could there be a delayed reaction?
Thanks

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

have you consulted a vet yet?
also did you feel the vent area?

if so did it have a high temperature in that area of the body?
do you think it is egg bound or not?



also if you think it is something infectous you could give her some water with duramycin in it

I WOULD MAKE A WATER OF 1 TSP OF dURAMYCIN IN PT OF WATER AND CONTINUOUSLY DRIBBLE THIS WATER IN HER BEAK
TRYING TO GET AS MUCH OF IT DOWN HER AS POSSIBLE
THUS THE ANTIBIOTIC WILL HELP HER

the fact that her manure is white makes me think she has some infection some where in the body
as her head is feverish

also after trying to get her to drink the medicated water take a cold rag and stroke her head area

then try the dribbling the medicated water in her beak again keep doing this maybe she will come out of it

keep us posted

email me any questions