Hen lethargic, not laying & strange poo for 2 weeks

[Safarii]

My isa brown, Maize, is not doing too well. She is around 5 years so fairly old for her breed.
Please help me figure out what's wrong
Symptoms:
- 2.5 weeks ago I first noticed undigested grain in her poos and she was doing a strange neck movement (maybe just adjusting her crop, but more violently than usual)
- she was also sticking her neck out at the front and had her head back
- she stopped laying (it's been 2 weeks)
- she was having some green coloured poos (bile?)
- she was still happily scratching in the garden whenever I let her out but she progressively reduced her usual gardening activities and started standing still with her tail down more and more
- at times she had a very upright stance which was unusual for her
- for a week she has had limited activity - only been going to the garden to sunbake and about 5 mins of scratching around (but will still run if incentivised)
- a week ago she also started having a yellow thick substance in some of her poos most days
- the last 5ish days she hasn't been eating much. I have been giving her fruits, egg, corn, oatmeal and a little bit of rice but she has lost interest in most. She won't eat pellets and her grain are just going straight through her undigested. She has definitely lost weight.
- purple tips on her comb in the evenings when it's cooler (bad circulation)
- she's also been going to bed at like 4pm instead of 5:Spam (obviously exhausted)

What I've done:
- magnesium bath and checked for egg bound (I don't think she's egg bound)
- felt her crop - squishy during the day and empty in morning (and no bad smell)
- I treated for worms and coccidiosis when I first suspected issues
- I have been giving her electrolytes and a hint of apple cider vinegar for about 5 days now (she is barely eating so I'm not sure if the electrolytes are the only thing keeping her going)

I just have Maize and her bantam x sister (who is very clingy to Maize) that I rescued together 1 year ago.

 

[alinas2010]

Welcome to the site, I’m really sorry it is under these circumstances.

It indeed looks and sounds like Maize is not feeling well. Her penguin stance suggests something reproductive going on. It could be an infection or tumor but it’s really hard to know. A lot of times high production breeds tend to be predisposed to reproductive issues, unfortunately.

How does her abdomen (between her legs) feel? Is it distended? Is she laying eggs any longer? If you did suspect egg binding, 300-600mg calcium citrate plus d3 could be given to help her.

Things like infections can cause pus or fluid to accumulate in the abdomen and it as it builds up it will put pressure on her circulatory system. Sometimes that can cause purpling of the comb and breathing issues.

As the disease (infection or cancer) progresses, the hen may begin to have droppings that are very loose and off colored. Often they are very stinky. She may start to feel unwell. A lot of times crop issues will creep up along side reproductive issues, so watch for that.

Some people treat the symptoms and do things like drain fluid from the belly. Be wary of doing that, as it can cause a fluid imbalance if done too quickly. Antibiotics can be started for infections, but a lot of times they will only buy time and not completely solve the problem. If you have one on hand you’d like to try let us know and we can help you with dosage.

Often the only other thing to do in these situations is keep her as comfortable as possible and consider quality of life. I’m terribly sorry Maize is going through this. I know how awful it is to watch. My heart just breaks for them.

Thinking to the future, it was so kind of you to rescue the two of them, perhaps there is another one or two you could rescue to keep her company in the event that Maize’s sister ends up alone?