hen lethargic, barley eating or drinking

[itsirisj]

I have a three-year-old hen that, over time, has started become super lethargic and sickly. She hunches over in the corner of the coop and doesn't eat or drink until prompted. I've separated her from the other hens and given her diatomaceous earth mixed with her food as well as honey and apple cider vinegar in her water. What else should I do? What might be the problem? Also, just an FYI, we are organic :|

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your sick hen. Does she lay eggs? How does her crop feel—is it empty and flat, full, hard, doughy, or puffy. Check it early in the morning when it should feel empty. Is she swollen or enlarged in her lower abdomen between her legs? What do her droppings look like? If you have Poultry NutriDrench or electrolytes, I would give some and plenty of water. Offer watery feed, scrambled egg, tuna, or canned cat food. Reproductive problems or crop disorders can be common in hens that age. If you need to separate her to monitor what she eats and what her droppings look like, a dog crate inside the coop or run would be good.

 

[itsirisj]

Sorry about your sick hen. Does she lay eggs? How does her crop feel—is it empty and flat, full, hard, doughy, or puffy. Check it early in the morning when it should feel empty. Is she swollen or enlarged in her lower abdomen between her legs? What do her droppings look like? If you have Poultry NutriDrench or electrolytes, I would give some and plenty of water. Offer watery feed, scrambled egg, tuna, or canned cat food. Reproductive problems or crop disorders can be common in hens that age. If you need to separate her to monitor what she eats and what her droppings look like, a dog crate inside the coop or run would be good.

She does not lay eggs. Her crop is empty and stays empty all day. I did separate her in a dog crate and her droppings are oily and they separate if she defacates at all

 

[Eggcessive]

I would say that she may have a reproductive disorder or infection, or possibly cancer. Is her lower belly between her legs enlarged or swollen? I would try to get her eating some watery chicken feed and offer a bit of cooked egg. Where are you located? Can you have your vet look for worm eggs in her poop?

 

[itsirisj]

I would say that she may have a reproductive disorder or infection, or possibly cancer. Is her lower belly between her legs enlarged or swollen? I would try to get her eating some watery chicken feed and offer a bit of cooked egg. Where are you located? Can you have your vet look for worm eggs in her poop?

her abdomen is swollen :| I'm located pretty far out in the country and there isn't a vet near, and the nearest office is closed due to COVID-19

 

[itsirisj]

I would say that she may have a reproductive disorder or infection, or possibly cancer. Is her lower belly between her legs enlarged or swollen? I would try to get her eating some watery chicken feed and offer a bit of cooked egg. Where are you located? Can you have your vet look for worm eggs in her poop?

I just felt in her abdomen and I can clearly feel at least three eggs

 

[Wyorp Rock]

three-year-old hen that, over time, has started become super lethargic and sickly. She hunches over in the corner of the coop and doesn't eat or drink until prompted.

She does not lay eggs. Her crop is empty and stays empty all day.

her abdomen is swollen

I just felt in her abdomen and I can clearly feel at least three eggs

I agree, it does sound like she has a reproductive problem if her abdomen is swollen.
Sadly, these conditions can be common in laying hens. Sometimes they are able to feel a bit better for a while after receiving supportive care, other times they just are not able to make it.

If you are feeling what feels like eggs when feeling the outside of her abdomen and she's lethargic, not eating/drinking and seems full of misery, then it may be time to let her go.
I'm very sorry.

 

[itsirisj]

I agree, it does sound like she has a reproductive problem if her abdomen is swollen.
Sadly, these conditions can be common in laying hens. Sometimes they are able to feel a bit better for a while after receiving supportive care, other times they just are not able to make it.

If you are feeling what feels like eggs when feeling the outside of her abdomen and she's lethargic, not eating/drinking and seems full of misery, then it may be time to let her go.
I'm very sorry.

Thank you all for the support but she passed away

 

[itsirisj]

I would say that she may have a reproductive disorder or infection, or possibly cancer. Is her lower belly between her legs enlarged or swollen? I would try to get her eating some watery chicken feed and offer a bit of cooked egg. Where are you located? Can you have your vet look for worm eggs in her poop?

Thank you but she passed away.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you all for the support but she passed away

I'm sorry to hear that