Hen Acting Off and Corners of Mouth look Odd

[Studio2770]

Yesterday I noticed Harley wasn't as active and fast as the rest. Today she was the same and walked toward me for treats, not run (which she always does).

She still eats and drinks but does seem under the weather and I'm wondering if this white on the corner of her mouth is part of it.



There also seems to be a little bump in the left side of her mouth but I didn't see anything on the right.


I got her isolated in a kennel with food and water (with vitamins and electrolytes mixed in).

 

[Eggcessive]

How does her beak smell? If there is a bad odor, there could be a canker infection, which is a protozoan infection spread by pigeons and wild birds, treated with Fish Zole (metronidazole or Flagyl.) Ronitazole is another medicine that some use. If you see any fowl pox scabs, that type of infection can be wet pox, a form that is found inside the beak and throat. Both of those infections can cause yellow to grey patches inside the beak.

 

[Studio2770]

How does her beak smell? If there is a bad odor, there could be a canker infection, which is a protozoan infection spread by pigeons and wild birds, treated with Fish Zole (metronidazole or Flagyl.) Ronitazole is another medicine that some use. If you see any fowl pox scabs, that type of infection can be wet pox, a form that is found inside the beak and throat. Both of those infections can cause yellow to grey patches inside the beak.

It smells but it could just be her chicken breath. Not sure how chicken breath normally smells. I don't see any other scabs yet. Are those meds easy to get?

 

[coach723]

Fish Zole is available online many places, it's a fish antibiotic. You can also get canker treatments at pigeon supply places, this is one: https://www.jedds.com/product-category/pigeon/medicine/canker/
Here is some more info on canker, might be helpful:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/digestive-problems/index.aspx
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/canker
https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/how-to-treat-canker-in-poultry.html
Chicken breath should not smell real bad, if you have a bird that is definitely healthy, compare the two. But canker is contagious, so if you have one, then others may also come down with it. Keep waterers very clean to help prevent the spread.

 

[Studio2770]

Fish Zole is available online many places, it's a fish antibiotic. You can also get canker treatments at pigeon supply places, this is one: https://www.jedds.com/product-category/pigeon/medicine/canker/
Here is some more info on canker, might be helpful:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/digestive-problems/index.aspx
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/canker
https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/how-to-treat-canker-in-poultry.html
Chicken breath should not smell real bad, if you have a bird that is definitely healthy, compare the two. But canker is contagious, so if you have one, then others may also come down with it. Keep waterers very clean to help prevent the spread.

Good to know!

She still eats, drinks and is aware of things overall. She's just a tad slower. I'll compare her breath to a healthy hen.

This was next to her poo so I'm thinking she pooped this out.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hmmmm. Could she have coughed that up or spit it out of her beak. If it came out the other end, it could possobly be lash egg material or some type of tissue. Can you cut that in half if you still have it and post a picture?

 

[Studio2770]

Hmmmm. Could she have coughed that up or spit it out of her beak. If it came out the other end, it could possobly be lash egg material or some type of tissue. Can you cut that in half if you still have it and post a picture?

It was next to her poo (which looked like a healthy large poo) so I assumed it came out the other end. I still have it in case I take her to the vet. Cut it in half.



Her behavior is still the same, eating, drinking, talking, walking around and being aware overall. She's just not as quick as she usually is and tends to sit a lot.

I compared beak smells and found that the healthy hen didn't have much of a smell at all while Harley did.

 

[coach723]

How old is she? Do you know when she last laid? That could be lash material, but it doesn't look like what I've typically seen, it looks more tissue like. Have you looked inside her beak and throat as best you can to see if there is more gunk visible?

 

[townchicks]

Nothing to add, but good luck with her. A vet sounds like a good idea, if you can, sooner rather than later. Following for education. Fingers crossed, keep us posted.

 

[Studio2770]

How old is she? Do you know when she last laid? That could be lash material, but it doesn't look like what I've typically seen, it looks more tissue like. Have you looked inside her beak and throat as best you can to see if there is more gunk visible?

She's 6 years old and is still a productive layer. I noticed her acting different about 2-3 days ago but I'm pretty sure she laid right before that. It was pretty easy to split, I did it with a stick.

I didn't any gunk in her beak or throat. I'll keep an eye on it though.