Help!

[Darkfeather]

My Speckled Sussex hen has suddenly become lethargic and weak today. Yesterday she was active but I noticed she was a bit puffed up. Today she's just laying down but occasionally moves to a different spot. Sitting there with eyes closed and smacking her mouth as if swallowing occasionally. Not really interested in eating it drinking unless I put her beak in the water.

Any idea what's going on with her?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Need some more info. How old is this bird? Has she been laying regularly? Have you checked her carefully for mites/lice? Is she on a regular deworming program? What is she being fed?

 

[Darkfeather]

She's in her first year and should start laying any time if she hasn't started already. The ladies have been starting up and I'm not sure if she has or not.

I just started them on an organic feed.

I did a quick check for mites but not a thorough one. And I do worm them occasionally.

Rest of the flock is fine. But I've separated her.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Well it could be a lot of things but at her age I would do a few things. First I'd check her over very carefully for any mites and just check her general body condition, see if she feels thin or if she's in good weight. It's possible she's egg bound as well. You can put on a latex glove with a little lubricant and check inside the vent for an egg. Also, in youngish birds when I see symptoms like that I always consider and treat for possible coccidiosis. It's most common in chicks but any age bird can get it. I treat for it so I can at least rule it out if nothing else. It's a fast killer so I always want that possibility off the books.

 

[Darkfeather]

I've been through Cocci many times and to me this seems different but I certainly wouldn't rule it out. I was thinking about egg binding too. I'll go check for that and the mites.

 

[Darkfeather]

Okay I probed her abdomen and around her vent and she began complaining and strained like she was trying to push something out so I think she is egg bound.

 

[Darkfeather]

After using some olive oil I helped her get the egg out!

It was without a shell though.

Sounds like she needs some calcium maybe?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Excellent that you figured her out! Shell-less eggs are harder for the hen to get out then a normal egg so that may take care of the issue. If she is a new layer sometimes they lay oddball eggs at first then settle in to normal laying. But regardless, yes, I'd have oyster shell out for them if you don't already.

 

[Darkfeather]

That makes sense! Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Eggcessive]

It's so good that you had a good outcome with your hen. Here is a good link about egg binding, and calcium deficiency: http://www.avianweb.com/eggbinding.html