Hen acting strange help! Pics added

[PoultryPedia]

If you want to get any medical info before the vet appointment, you could find out if there is an ag university near you & call them about testing that their lab might offer. I think vet offices collect samples to test, they often are just sending the samples to these labs for processing, and often you can take the samples directly yourself instead. You can ask to talk with someone at the college who might be able to advise you on the bests tests to request for her case.

I took some fecal samples to Utah State University once & had some tests run. They didn't find much that was useful in that instance, and it was kind of crazy driving around for over an hour waiting for the chickens to produce a fresh poop sample

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However, I think in some cases such testing can be helpful, & if you think sooner diagnostics would be important, that might be an option. I'm wondering if it might be less expensive than having the vet order the tests, too, and if the lab makes significant findings, you may not end up needing to take her to the vet??? But then again, if the tests don't end up useful, you've had extra expense. But then again, you might anyway if the vet decides to order the same tests??? Decisions...

I'm glad she's been looking better and I hope she does well.

 

[seminolewind]

When any of mine look sick, I do insert a finger and feel for an egg. If not, I treat them for coccidiosis. You don't necessarily need bloody stool. Those are the most frequent reasons.

I had a 2 year old hen act very slow, and her comb and wattles would get dusky when she exerted energy or ate. Are there certain things she does when getting dusky? Or not.

Do her eyes look greyish, or her pupils have an odd shape?

I can't give an opinion on worming. Because opinions are split between not worming in a weakend state, or worming because of a weakend state.

Keep updating!

Why are you feeding a 3 year old medicated feed? Most people stop at 16 weeks. Is your hen getting layer feed and calcium?

Medicated feed does not prevent all types of cocci.

If she's been on medicated feed, and this long, there's a good chance she might have a vitamin deficiency, esp thiamine.

She's a bit old for cocci, but stranger things have happened.

With an internal exam (finger) just pretend you are a doctor.

 

[86121]

Uh, its layer feed its just medicated so I'm told by the farmers co'op. The organic is expensive and since I have been having problems the head supervise for the farmers co'op I go to suggested I stay on the medicated layer pellets so I can rule cocida out.
This, what ever it is, has been plaguing my flock since I got them. I have treated them for everything and for a while they have been good. It always starts with listless behavior, then diarrhea, black stool, no appetite, anorexia, then a slow death where they end up dying in my arms as they have delusional spasms/seizures and then they convulse and die...
I have treated with coord, medicated feed, valbazen, wizen, ivermec, electrolites, baby vitamins, given them something that hardens up stool, a specific poultry bacteria that is supposed to strengthen the digestive tract, and still I am loosing birds. I have lost 7 birds now, and two adults, soon to be three with this one most likely, and I just started in poultry last summer.
I have no idea what is wrong, and I have done everything. From the vet, to the lab's, to the Umass university...
Now im just hoping i can figure out what is wrong, and I know its not the feed. Tried that already

Why are you feeding a 3 year old medicated feed? Most people stop at 16 weeks. Is your hen getting layer feed and calcium?

Medicated feed does not prevent all types of cocci.

If she's been on medicated feed, and this long, there's a good chance she might have a vitamin deficiency, esp thiamine.

She's a bit old for cocci, but stranger things have happened.

With an internal exam (finger) just pretend you are a doctor.

 

[86121]

Update, she ate a little today, however now she is panting?

 

[seminolewind]

Maybe go get a bag of Purina Layena and feed that for a while. There may be something they are not getting in the food, maybe. Or something they are getting in their food that they should not have.

It kindof can sound like some kind of poisoning/ possible bad food.
I hope you can figure this out.

 

[GoldenSparrow]

sending prayers your way

 

[ChickChickChicky]

I agree with seminolewind, it really sounds like some type of vitamin/mineral deficiency or some type of toxicity. If I'd lost 7 birds to the same thing I would for sure be changing their feed, as well as closely examining their surroundings for somthing they are eating, drinking or being exposed to. If this bird dies, you should definitely ask for a necropsy, perhaps you state college or university can do one at little or no cost.

 

[86121]

Its Pulin that im feeding, I can ask about the purina but I know its not the feed. I keep it stored in a mettle bin and it only lasts about a week. The only thing I can think of is everything just melted, they free range so they can eat anything?
I just violated her and there is no egg obstruction that i can feel.
The panting stoped, and her crop does not smell fowl. If it is a poisoning of some kind, what should I do to fix her? shes still not eating well?

Maybe go get a bag of Purina Layena and feed that for a while. There may be something they are not getting in the food, maybe. Or something they are getting in their food that they should not have.

It kindof can sound like some kind of poisoning/ possible bad food.
I hope you can figure this out.

 

[86121]

I haven't had this issue since last year, and it just now has cropped back up.
I have changed food, i went from Purina to the blue-seal to the pulin. Its not the food, I have ruled that out.
They are exposed to a little bit of the stream in the yard, a birch tree clump, the garden (no pesticides used last year) the dogs, pine mulch, arborvitae tree's, rabbit droppings, an apple tree, and what ever left overs we give them. Never anything old and normally right from the meal we just ate. Lets see...there is also an old fire pit in the back, and we have two barn cats so most likely dog and cat fesses.
if it is a toxin of some sort, what is a generic thing i can do to try and rule that out?

*edit* I have also been giving vitamins, baby ones and all rounded, along with electrolytes.

I agree with seminolewind, it really sounds like some type of vitamin/mineral deficiency or some type of toxicity. If I'd lost 7 birds to the same thing I would for sure be changing their feed, as well as closely examining their surroundings for something they are eating, drinking or being exposed to. If this bird dies, you should definitely ask for a necropsy, perhaps you state college or university can do one at little or no cost.

 

[86121]

Oh, since you mentioned vitamin and mineral deficiency, I have read all threw out this: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/toc_200000.htm and non of the symptoms match mine. If you see anything different, or something i might have missed PLEASE tell me, I see the vet on Tuesday so I can ask them also.