HELP! SICK CHICKEN

[Zcruzer]

Hi guys, so I need help. One of my hens was acting strangely this morning, so i brought her inside because I thought it was cold, and she is doing better. BUT, she still isn't eating or drinking much, and is lethargic. She isn't pooping much either. Her stomach area seems somewhat swollen and bloated. I was thinking maybe she was egg-blocked... I could be wrong though... what are your opinions? Any advice for what i should do??? I cannot afford vet care... I lost my job recently and got another one but it is minimum wage so i literally have no money for vet care. Any thing i can do at home???

 

[Skipper81]

When did she last lay an egg?
Is she walking funny like a penguin?

 

[Zcruzer]

She's rarely walking, and when she does its for short distances... She moves her legs really slowly, but other than that her gait is normal... And i have no clue when she laid an egg last... I have 10 other chickens who all lay eggs.

 

[Skipper81]

Worms can cause swelling and bloating can you look at her poop

 

[Skipper81]

@drumstick diva can probably help or knows someone who can i don't think she's eggbound because she has a few signs of other things

 

[Wyorp Rock]

still isn't eating or drinking much, and is lethargic. She isn't pooping much either.

Her stomach area seems somewhat swollen and bloated.

She's rarely walking, and when she does its for short distances... She moves her legs really slowly,

I'm sorry your hen is not doing well

From your description - having a swollen/bloated stomach, not eating/drinking, lethargic and not pooping much - I would suspect that she has an internal laying/reproductive disorder. Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Ascites, Salpingitis, cancer and tumors are, unfortunately, common in laying hens. Symptoms include - lethargy, weight loss, loose droppings, swelling in the abdomen, not being able to walk/loss of balance, crop problems and sometimes difficulty breathing.

If the abdomen is bloated with fluid, then sometimes the fluid can be drained to help give them some relief for a short period of time. Antibiotics may also help for a short period of time as well.

See if you can get her hydrated. Direct dose or add some poultry vitamins to her water. Once she is drinking, then see if she will eat a little something for you. If she perks up a little, then you can try soaking her in a warm epsom salts bath to help soothe her and see if that will get things moving along if she is still not pooping (not pooing can be due to swelling in the abdomen).

I'm sorry, I wish I had better answers for you. Please keep us posted.