Hen depressed, losing weight, throwing up Help!

[amyegg]

I have a Buff Orpington hen maybe 1 or 2 yo. 2 weeks ago there was a raccon attack and she lost a little skin on her back, nothing big. I cleaned it and put some Alushield on it and it seems fine. Also they were moved to another coop to prevent further attacks and the ladies did not handle that well at all. Eveyone quit laying and one other hen suffered a prolapse.

Anyway about a week ago I noticed that she was not free ranging as much as the others and spending a lot of time just hanging out in one spot. I looked to see if she was broody and she was not. I checked for any signs of *anything* and could not find a problem. One morning I found her still roosting hours after I opened the coop. She was obviously not eating as much and losing weight. I started giving her some yogurt 2x a day to make she she is getting some food. I checked her over for the umpteenth time and saw that she may have the start of scaly leg mites. Only one scale looked slightly funny. i gave her a bath and greased up her legs and she perked up a little the next day. I thouroghly cleaned and put DE down in the coop. Her comb looks a little redder than it did. Today I cooked her some egg and when I picked her up to give it to her where the other girls wouldn't steal it and she spit up a little of the yogurt she had this AM.

Her crop is not full.

So now what? Do I worm her, treat her with antibiotics? What type? I prefer to keep things as natural as I can if possible. I've only had chickens 3 months and have no idea what to do.

 

[amyegg]

Oh, hold me. I used Wazine on a hunch today after realizing that she had every symptom of a severe roundworm infestation. She drank a lot of the water. I brought her in tonight since she was not able to roost. Her crop is full for once but squishy. I saw a clear runny poo today. I think the only other one was several days ago and green, but it could have been some other hen honestly. I just can't remember seeing any other poo from her though she continues to eat if I feed her. Mostly yogurt, some organic soy free, corn free Magill Farm brand feed. After I brought her in I checked her several times and she was leaning forward and having a hard time standing. I was worried. I decided to use a well gloved finger to see if I could tell what her poo looked like. it shot out on the bathroom rug. I can post a pic in a sec. It was green and runny and there was a big roundworm in there.

I guess my hunch was right. Everything I've read says they can't die of this correct? I am worried at how badly she is feeling. I am hoping she will feel better in the AM. If you have any experience, please share. I am a newb at chickens and I don't seem to get any answers here.

Also everyone was wormed and I can follow up in 2 weeks. Do I need to do anything special regarding the coop?

 

[amyegg]

sorry about the phone pic

 

[amyegg]

Can someone please reply? Another live roundworm came out today. SHould they still be alive? Should I dose her again? She still can't balance well enough to stand since getting the Wazine, but eats well.

 

[yinzerchick]

I wish I could help, but I really don't know much about wormers. I know Wazine is only for round worms, so maybe you need to use something like Valbazen in case she has more than just the round worms. Perhaps some cayenne pepper in her food, or apple cider vinegar in her water will help things along. I know that stuff doesn't cure a worm infestation, but if you already used some worming medicine, maybe it will help clear her out. I sure hope someone with better advice comes along to help. I hate when nobody responds to an emergency. Wish I was more help. Good luck!

 

[yinzerchick]

Maybe you can call a vet. They might be able to tell you if you can worm again with something different sooner than the directions suggest. Or, maybe look up info on the wormer you used on line. The worms are probably coming out because you wormed, but I don't know if they should be dead or alive. I really hope your hen is okay.