Hen looks very sick..

[americana-chick]

She went from looking very healthy and laying lots of blue eggs and now she looks differnt.. and doesnt lay eggs anymore and she is also young. she looked liek this a few days ago:

and now she is a lot more wrinkly in the face and her ear lobes are now greenish colored.. none of my other hens have ever done this befor.. she isnt egg bound.. so what could be wrong with her? i need help! thanks in advance!

 

[Mahonri]

She certainly is a beautiful bird.

First, I would isolate to be certain that it isn't something that the other birds can catch.

I'd give her mash and electrolytes w/ vitamins in the water and monitor her... check her poop etc...

keep us informed and give us some current pics.

 

[Kittymomma]

Look for the sticky at the top of this section and answer as many questions on it as you can. With the info. given so far it's kind of like shooting in the dark.

I'd go ahead and seperate her so you can moniter her food and water intake as well as be able to get a good look at her droppings. If you're sure she's not egg bound look her over closely for any signs of parasites. If she free ranges check around for possible toxins--mushrooms, lawn fertilizer weed killer that she could of gotten into etc. Also take a good look and smell at her crop--any chance of impaction or sour crop? A current picture for a before AND after would also be helpful.

 

[ozark hen]

I have no advice for you other than separate her and suggest you follow the above advice and if need be ask Speckled Hen.

 

[americana-chick]

Thanks everyone, i forgot to say that her comb actually is shrinking and losing color in her comb.

 

[chickenzoo]

The shrinking comb is often in a sign of being dehydrated and perhaps anemia. When was she last wormed? worms and lice/mites can bring a bird down fast. Has she lost weight? Often that is seen in the face being shrunken in. Any sores in mouth, discoloration? Give scrambled eggs, a warm mash, warm canned dog food etc... keep her in a warm area, separated from the others.

 

[americana-chick]

Quote:
What would the ear lobes changing color be a sign of?

 

[americana-chick]

Cant you tell if a hen has worms be looking at there poop? (looks like i am going to be chasing her around waiting for her to poo

)

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
Sometimes, but not always. If you suspect worms you can take a sample into the vet and have them do a fecal float. The float is usualy about $20 and many vets will do them without an office visit. It might be a good idea to have a full fecal work-up done on her since you're not sure what is going on. It will probably be around $50 to do that, but could give you some answers, a treatment direction and keep the rest of your flock from getting sick.