Help with diagnosis and appropriate treatment plz!

[Eribino]

Two days ago my hybrid hen became suddenly unwell she was very subdued tail dropped, didn't eat well and didn't lay at her normal time in the morning. I put her in the coop and checked on her around 10pm and she had laid a soft egg (just really membrane holding it together). The next morning I found a pinkish red lump in her poo. She has a few white patches through her brown feathers. I have also noticed she seems to do lots of normal poos but also several runny poos . This morning there was a wet patch in coop - I suspect another soft egg that was broken. I hadn't worried too much about the poo before as she was laying like clockwork She is perky this morning - but I'm not too happy, I can't see any worms in poo or mites on girls but I'm new to keeping chickens so not sure. There are a few little strands of blood in her poo (I think - not much though).

She is fed on pellets and is around 7mths. Other two are fine I have not quarantined her or given any treatment yet. I don't know if I should give antibiotics or worm and treat for mites. Has anyone experience of anything similar?

Your advice would be very welcome - spike to vets but they have not much experience with chickens.

Thanks

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[cnicho05]

Hello,

Have you supplemented her diet with anything high in calcium?

What is likely happening is she is new to laying eggs. Seven months is still a young age for most breeds of chickens. With this said, it is important to understand the difference in diet a growing hen needs verses a laying hen. For example, a growing hen will require a feed which is high in protein to promote muscle development. This allows the bird to grow faster than a traditional free range diet would allow.

On the other hand, a hen who is laying requires a diet low in protein and high in calcium. This is why it is important to transition your feed to a laying feed. Otherwise, the high protein in a grower feed will cause diarrhea from time-to-time.

To resolve this problem in a safe and healthy way I would suggest the following...

1. Switch to a layer feed if she is not already on it.
2. Provide crushed oyster shell to promote egg shell strength.
3. Use nutrition supplement to boost health (this is a powder mixture for water which can be purchased at most farm supply stores).
4. Limit any additional snack/treats being feed to her during the next few weeks.
5. Monitor her closely for any changes in diet or improvement in condition.

 

[Eribino]

Thanks for your reply - she is on layered feed and I put oyster shell in run area and a little in the feed. In addition she 'free-ranges' around my small-medium garden. I've a lot of paved and decked areas so not a lot of green stuff but there are some earthy parts they forage around in.

I will hold off on all 'treats' until we see if things settle. I think it was the sudden change in her that worried me most (also the pink in poo - pic attached). Thanks for responding.

 

[poodlechicks]

It looks like your hen has shed intestinal lining with her feces. This is normal. Eggs sometimes look a little weird when the hen is young. The fact that she has changed her behavior, though, should be enough reason for you to keep an eye on her. I hope she is doing well by now. Keep us posted.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I would be more inclined to treat for cocci. Then worm her with valbazen .

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive.html

 

[Eribino]

Thanks for your responses. She has really perked up, eating and drinking and bossing the other two around again. I am still a bit worried re the change from normal daily eggs to one (but more likely two) soft eggs. Before she laid the soft egg she just suddenly 'went off' didn't even move when lifted - it really alarmed me. I think I will keep a watchful eye for the next day or two and treatment wise I will probably re-worm all the girls.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Thanks for your responses. She has really perked up, eating and drinking and bossing the other two around again. I am still a bit worried re the change from normal daily eggs to one (but more likely two) soft eggs. Before she laid the soft egg she just suddenly 'went off' didn't even move when lifted - it really alarmed me. I think I will keep a watchful eye for the next day or two and treatment wise I will probably re-worm all the girls.

You may need to add calcium on ' free take ' in the coop. If the eggs are soft shelled you run the risk of eggbinding . Examine her abdomen for any hard lumps.
If you find anything suspicious pop her in a warm bath and massage towards the vent.

http://hoeggerfarmyard.com/calcium-the-key-to-beautiful-eggs-and-healthy-hens/