Hen puffed up, lethargic

[kull1337]

The last day or 2 one of my barred rock hens has been lethargic looking and really fluffed up. She just slowly walks around doesnt eat or drink much that ive noticed. The last 3 days shes layed double yolks, but ive also noticed she hasnt been roosting at night with the other birds. Instead she perches a couple feet above the ground on a feed trough. Today i found some pretty nasty poop that i can only imagine is hers... anyone have ideas? I do have corid on hand but want to know what I'm treating before usimg it or a wormer.

 

[kull1337]

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is your hen? She has a lot of white urates in her droppings which I think that means she could be dehydrated or have some kidney issues. Could you take her to a vet or at least take some sroppings in for a fecal test to look for worms or coccidiosis? Also, I would check her crop to make sure it is emptying overnight. If she has not been eating it may be empty now. Feel inside her vent to check for a stuck egg, since she has been laying larger than normal double yolk eggs. I would offer her some chopped egg and a small bowl of feed with a lot of water mixed together. If you have electrolytes, I would add those to her water. Corid would not hurt her if you can't take her droppings in, but I wonder more about a possible reproductive problem. Antibiotics are difficult to get from feed stores to put in the water, and a vet can order some if she has some infection. I would separate her in a basket or crate with food and water, and possibly use a towel or paper towels over bedding, to observe her closely.

 

[kull1337]

Thanks for the reply. I cant really afford to take her to the vet. I dont think she has a stuck egg since she layed another big double yesterday. I felt her crop it seems empty. I do have electrolytes i could give her along with some egg like you mentioned. We got her from the feed store as a chick in august 2016 so shes not very old.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have any antibiotics to use if needed? Other foods to try are canned tuna packed in water, and yogurt 1 tsp daily can be mixed into her feed for probiotics. I would go ahead and start the Corid since you have it, just in case she has cocci. You can mix 2 tsp of the liquid Corid or 1 1/2 of the powder per gallon of water for 5-7 days as her only source of water.