Hen is sick but I'm not sure

[bookzilla]

I have a 7 year old hen (not sure of specific breed, but she looks like a gingernut ranger). Since yesterday, she's been acting quite different to her usual self. Her comb is drooping and a bit darker in colour. She's still. She's not talking. Her vent's gone a bit dirty with poop. Her poop has white in it. She's not interested in food... even when I tempted her with her favourite treat (grapes). I first found her huddled behind the chicken house, where it's a bit more darker and dry, where I suppose it's less cold as well (the weather here is approaching winter, so it's been cold, rainy and windy lately). Also on a side note, a week or two ago she was moulting. She is still drinking water and stays beside the water bowl.

If anyone can tell me what I can do to help my hen, it would be much appreciated. Can also anyone tell me what condition/sickness my hen might have? I am terribly worried and Internet searches aren't giving me any answers.

 

[LyssaLoy]

*FOLLOWING* My chickie is doing the exact same thing- but we are just starting summer here. She only sits by the water bowl with her eyes shut and drinks. She is only 10 weeks old and I am worried about her and my 8 other chickies...

 

[salt and pepper]

Have you looked for info on gleet?? That's what it sounds like. Also, check for lice, mites, or worms. If you don't think it's any of these... She IS old, and chicken it's fairly rare for a chicken to live after ten. She could just be fading.... hope not though....

 

[salt and pepper]

*FOLLOWING* My chickie is doing the exact same thing- but we are just starting summer here. She only sits by the water bowl with her eyes shut and drinks. She is only 10 weeks old and I am worried about her and my 8 other chickies...

I would think first to check for mite and other critters, next, have you gone through cocci??? It's a little late for her to get it, but it's never too late for a chicken to get sick. sigh .

 

[bookzilla]

Hi guys, thanks for your replies.

I searched gleet and the description doesn't match that. Her poop is more watery green than white, and there's no foul smell, at least at this stage. Her comb has drooped even more. I put her outside 'for a bit, and she stayed in the sunshine, so perhaps she's feeling cold? So then I brought her back inside, she's in isolation in a box with a hot water bottle. Ive given er some electrolyte (flour, sugar, water, salt), she responded well to that and became a bit more lively. But that was about an hour ago. She still won't eat anything, even when force fed, she won't swallow. Now she's listless again and sleeping on her side, with her head dropping down as well. Her comb was cold as well :/ could it be possible there's something stuck and not allowing oxygen to go through, therefore she's being asphyxiated? I don't know... :S

Good luck LyssaLoy! I hope your chook gets well soon. Try the electrolyte thing so it can get some nutrition.

 

[bookzilla]

Update: My hen passed away

 

[TulsaChick]

Bookzila - sorry for your loss

 

[salt and pepper]

Update: My hen passed away

I'm really sorry... The more I think about it, I think it was just her time.