Hen quiet, not eating much, watery poop

[Bluebellhoney]

That doesn't look very healthy.

No, not at all.
She is going between being chatty and perky to this

 

[Bluebellhoney]

Then she perks up again.
Her feathers are normal for her, they haven’t ever completely returned

 

[Pullet Press]

No, not at all.
She is going between being chatty and perky to this

I hope she gets better soon.
@sourland

 

[Pullet Press]

@Nabiki @NatJ

 

[aart]

When I have a bird that is 'off' I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling. Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

Feed only a good chicken ration and plain water, to eliminate other issues.

 

[Bluebellhoney]

Well I’ve just watched her for all that time and no further poop- she was pooping every few minutes before.
She in the “penthouse” as my husband calls it for some r&r. I usually give them some scrambled eggs and vitamins if they are underthe weather, what do you think? She is picking at her food and the bedding now too.

 

[Bluebellhoney]

When I have a bird that is 'off' I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling. Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

Feed only a good chicken ration and plain water, to eliminate other issues.

Ah sorry, missed this before I posted. Okay I can move her to the other hen hospital, which is indeed a dog crate. I’m not sure I can do the mesh thing, I do have a tray so will give it a go.
Okay I will only give her layers mash, it’s the best one I can get anyway and a fresh bag.
I’ve checked for parasites and can’t find anything anywhere. Can’t feel and swelling underneath or around vent- since prolapse I think it feels squishier around bent but not sure if this is my imagination. Her crop was empty first thing, and not much different by 11am, I’ll check again tonight.
Thanks for your help x

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How long have you had her?

With her being a rescue (Ex Batt?) she may be having some reproductive issues. Any chance she ate some of that moldy feed?

I would work on hydrating her, then encourage her to eat a little.
If possible, take a sample of her poop to make sure Coccidiosis and/or worms are not a contributing factor.

It might be a good idea to feel inside the vent for an egg if you haven't done so.

Not sure if you were seeing prolapse when she pooped or not - the cloaca inverts a little when they poop, so if you were checking her out that may have been what you saw.

 

[Bluebellhoney]

How long have you had her?

With her being a rescue (Ex Batt?) she may be having some reproductive issues. Any chance she ate some of that moldy feed?

I would work on hydrating her, then encourage her to eat a little.
If possible, take a sample of her poop to make sure Coccidiosis and/or worms are not a contributing factor.

It might be a good idea to feel inside the vent for an egg if you haven't done so.

Not sure if you were seeing prolapse when she pooped or not - the cloaca inverts a little when they poop, so if you were checking her out that may have been what you saw.

I have had her for about 5 months now, and yes she is ex barn which is not much better than battery here (aus)
When I saw the possible prolapse she was still on the ground and it was larger than an egg, and very red, would that be normal? It stayed like that for 5 mins and then gradually got smaller until it disappeared.
They definitely wouldn’t have got lumps of visible mould in the feed- I would have seen it, but I imagine some of the spores would be in the food they had until I did notice it if you see what I mean? I keep it in a sealed bin, I can only imagine that some water got in somehow, it is usually fine in there and very dry. We have had a lot of rain and humidity lately, maybe that was the cause of the mould? I’ve never had a problem before.
I felt for an egg inside the vent this morning first thing, I’m not super confident with it so only feel a cm or two inside- I can’t feel anything there or any lumps externally. I don’t really know what I’m feeling for to be honest as I’ve never had an egg bound hen so haven’t felt it, I only know what I think I’m feeling for from the pictures. She is perfectly lump free underneath.

Does the vet usually take the stool sample then?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can collect the sample from her overnight droppings, put them in a ziplock bag, they should be able to check the sample you take them.