HELP! Theres something wrong with Smudge!

[Aunt Angus]

If it is toxins, the charcoal may help. You've done it all, my friend.

 

[EEforMe]

And I thought my "Halloween of homework" was bad...

 

[Weeg]

You have done everything. You followed the advice of our resident experts. I'm not sure there's anything else that can be done.

Thank you. I really appreciate all of the support given on this thread, and how quickly everyone replied. You have all been so helpful. If she dies, I may try to perform some kind of necropsy, at least by myself with the help of the hunters in the family. I'll update you in the morning. Thanks again everyone, its so heartbreaking.

 

[EEforMe]

Thank you. I really appreciate all of the support given on this thread, and how quickly everyone replied. You have all been so helpful. If she dies, I may try to perform some kind of necropsy, at least by myself with the help of the hunters in the family. I'll update you in the morning. Thanks again everyone, its so heartbreaking.

My heart aches for you. Your girl is incredibly lucky to have you.

 

[Weeg]

Very good point. But heart failure is usually quick in chickens, isnt it? Like a sudden fatal heart attack?

That could be it. I've been dieting them, but its not without its slips and feed room break ins. Honesty I'd be relieved if that was it, at least it wouldn't be contagious, or a concern to the others. I just really want to know how I can learn from this, why this is happening.

 

[Weeg]

Thank you everyone for all of your support, I really do appreciate it. I hope she pulls though, but my hopes aren't high. She's on her side, uncoordinated and can't stand. she'll have a few flapping, panicky moments, then rest her head on the straw and breath loudly. Almost sounds like snoring. She keeps craning her neck, I wish I could I could cull her, she's suffering.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Weeg How is she doing?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your chicken. I was tagged in the middle of the night, so I wasn’t around to comment. If you lose her the best thing to do is to get your state vet to do a necropsy. Sometimes a home necropsy with pictures of the organs can give clues, but there is no other way to diagnose Mareks, than with a PCR Mareks test. The state vet can do that.

 

[6BeachChicks]

Thank you everyone for all of your support, I really do appreciate it. I hope she pulls though, but my hopes aren't high. She's on her side, uncoordinated and can't stand. she'll have a few flapping, panicky moments, then rest her head on the straw and breath loudly. Almost sounds like snoring. She keeps craning her neck, I wish I could I could cull her, she's suffering.

I’m so sorry to hear that. It’s the worst part of keeping chickens EVER. It’s even worse when you feel responsible. You are giving that hen a shot at life, which most people wouldn’t do. Still praying that she’s ok.

 

[LaFleche]

To me this appears to be organ failure where affected animals (and humans too) would drown because of the fluid building up in their lungs.
This condition is a well known cause of death for CornishX and similar hybrid meat birds.

If she was my bird, I would put her out of her misery.

I am sorry that you will not be able to save her. She already surpassed by far the average life expectancy of her breed.