**HELP**: Very sick hen with eyes closed

[sfogle]

These are pictures of my hen that has been having some problems for several days now and took a serious turn for the worse this morning, when I found her sitting in the middle of the chicken house with her eyes closed and she wouldn't move. We noticed about a week ago she was walking funny and her comb was a little bloody. I thought then she had been attacked by a rooster but then noticed she continued to stay by herself and act sickly. She has some white poop stuck on her vent and feathers but my real concern is her eyes being closed and her crop being puffed up right under her beak....her head is extended up and back as well. She seems to be in distress but I am not sure what to do for her. It may be too late to save her but I was just hoping someone might recognize this as symptoms of something. We have treated our chickens for different illness/emergencies in the past, but never anything like this. I don't know whether it is something to do with her crop or not. Her crop is hard and I don't know if she's been eating or drinking. I have brought her in the house for now just because it is cold outside and she was shaking. Is there anything else I can do for her? I would appreciate any and all suggestions/advice.

Thank you!

 

[Chicks Galore3]

If the crop doesn't empty within 24 hours of being full then it, and if it is hard, it may be impacted crop. I am not sure how to treat this but if you figure out what it is you can search for treatments. Searching impacted crop in the search bar should give you some results. I am dealing with a sick chicken too. Not fun.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can she stand at all? Is her crop full and hard? Or does it look puffed by her drawing her neck in like that? Are her eyes or nose crusty with secretions? Unfortunately when a hen gets sick, you have to rule out things to get at the problem. Check her for mites and lice. Has she had a Mareks vaccine or been wormed lately? You might also check her vent for a possible egg. Here is some info on crop problems: http://www.tillysnest.com/2012/01/crop-issues.html

 

[sfogle]

She can stand, but is wobbly and would rather just sit. She does not have any crustiness or secretions from eyes and nose. An update since earlier: She is opening one eye and eating and drinking!! So wonderful but at the same time she still seems to be struggling. I have noticed she is shaking her head a bit and kind of stretching her neck out off and on. I figured out it is not her crop that I am seeing right below the beak...I think she was just puffed up and the hard thing I felt was her actual throat or trachea and so when I started researching I ran into gapeworm. Does that sound like it could be that? She is opening her beak like she is yawning but more in distress like she has something stuck. I am feeding her yogurt, hard boiled egg yolk, medicated chick food and I put electrolytes and probiotics in her water. She is eating all that and drinking, but only with my help. She will eat on her own but seems to be too uncomfortable to reach the ground...she would rather eat out of my hand. Thank you for the reply. Wondering if I should call the vet tomorrow...we have a good one that treats chickens.

 

[sfogle]

She also has water poop with white and green in it. I cleaned her vent out...she did look a little blocked but I thought if that was the only problem, she wouldn't be having the throat symptoms.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would take her to the vet for sure. She sounds like she has a respiratory disease with head shaking and gaping. Gapeworm is rare, but easily treatable with SafeGuard goat wormer for 3 days in a row.

 

[sfogle]

Thank you for the reply....I did read that it was rare and none of our other chickens seem to be exhibiting the same signs...making me think it was just her. I will call the vet in the morning. Hopefully they can get it figured out. Thanks again.

 

[mebuff daisy]

Sorry about your hen, I hope she will be okay