Hen not right -Now it looks like another one has it... WHAT TO DO?

[VTGIRL]

- I have a buff orpington hen who is 3 1/2 months old that I noticed this morning, when I let them out in the run, was standing by herself with her feathers all puffed up. I kept my eye on her while I cleaned the coop and she continued to stand alone, not drinking or eating with her feathers puffed and her eyes closing like she was sleepy. I picked her up and her crop is empty... not sure what is going on with her so I have brought her in to the house to seperate her from the flock. I've given her some oatmeal with molasses along with some crumbles and water.. She drank very little water but has not eaten anything.

In my coop/run I have

29 Guinea fowl ( all 3.5 months old)
3 buff orpington hens (3.5 months old)
1 buff orpinton rooster (just got him from a neighbor last week..) he appears to be around the same age as the Orp hens and seems very healthy.
5 black silkies of various ages
3 white silkies of various ages
3 red silkies of various ages
2 splash silkies of various ages.

I feed them Purinia Layena Sunfresh recipe pellets which is always available in a feeder'
When I let them out in the morning I give them cracked corn - this I have only been doing for about 2 weeks now, could this be causing her problems?
I also give them pumpkins, apples, squash from the garden and whatever household scraps I might have in the run for them to eat and peck at..

[i]Thank you all for your replies. I just read an article by Peter Brown (found it at First State Veterinary Supply website) and he gives the symptoms exactly as Martha has.. with the ruffled feathers, sleepy eyes, and today I notice her dropping both her wings at times. She has been eating a little and drinking enough but she looks pained after eating so I researched her symptoms further and found Mr. Browns article. For treatment he recommends Corid/Amprol powder and something called 3-nitro-W. I can find the Corid/Amprol powder but cannot find 3-nitro-W. Does anyone know what it is and perhaps where I can find it? He states that by using both they work synergistically. Also I am thinking of vaccinating my week old chicks for Coccidiosis, has anyone done that? [/i]

 

[LynneP]

Is her tail up or down? If down, suspect something at the vent...she may be at point of lay and having a first pullet egg forming. Any pulsing?
Electrolytes should always be in your emergency kit, and will not harm her. Apple cider vinegar is good for digestion, yogurt has many curative properties. I would change only one thing at a time though, so you know what effect you are having.
I feed many of the same things, it's easy at harvest time for them to get enthusiastic about food.
I'm hoping that her crop emptied into her gut and that she is having a mild digestive upset from the treats...offering veggie or olive oil can help move it along.
Have you seen her droppings? I'd segregate her for a time to see what you can discover.

 

[VTGIRL]

t\\Thank lynne her tail is down.
Not sure about pulsing but I will go down and take a peak.. she'll love me for that one

Now that she is seperated I can check out her droppings .

What else should be in my "emergency kit"? New to this chicken business so any help with that would be GREATLY appreciated...

 

[LynneP]

My emergency kit ( list needs updating I'm afraid)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-Equipment_List

Sometimes when a pullet is at point of lay she can be very confused and uncomfortable, she doesn't know what is going on inside. Because we may not be offering oyster shell separately or in the feed yet, she may have an egg without a shell in there, and her muscles have only the membrane and contents on which to push. If you decide this is what is wrong, she might benefit from having a hot water bottle under her, wrapped in rags or a towel. You'll know when she passes this pullet egg- very messy. If you confirm she is a point of lay you can offer layer feed and oyster shell separately.

More...

My alpha and four others appear to be part Buff Orp and they began laying at 16 weeks 3 days. Yours sounds a bit young especially for the time of year, but malformed pullet eggs are definitely possible. If the vent is not pulsing we can discuss more.

Another way to apply heat is with a heating pad, and some people give a shallow belly bath in warm water, which they love, but you have to be prepared to get them dry and warm briskly after.

Belly heat is theraputic from several points of view- certainly it dilates the egg chute so a hen can pass the ovum, and if a digestive problem it relaxes the abdominal muscles. Knowing about her dropping will be a huge help. Hens are usually cooperative for this stuff, and yours sound as though they have been handled enough to really benefit.

 

[HEChicken]

3.5 months seems a little too early to be at point of lay? That only 14-15 weeks old....

 

[VTGIRL]

no vent pulsing and she has not pooped yet..

 

[LynneP]

I'm very glad to heat the vent is quiet- that removes a load of concern, she is young, after all.

Is she still fluffed? Fluffing and that eye thing sometimes mean pain. Maybe digestive?

Certainly belly heat and/or some veggie oil should help and will not hurt...

 

[geebs]

I would suspect cocci... Treat immediatly with Sulmet or Amproline and keep her on medicated chick feed after that till pol.

 

[VTGIRL]

she is still puffed up and her droppings seem normal in color (white/green) but are not firm... I'm heading to town now. Thank you all for your feedback. This site is fantastic!

 

[LynneP]

Might be wise to get some Corid to have on hand, keep checking the droppings.

You'll figure it out...