Hen seems to be dying

[melissamar97]

I have a hen who seems to be dying and want to make sure it is nothing infectious for the well-being of the rest of my flock. Last night when locking the coop my 1 year old Gold-Laced Wyandotte was huddled in the back corner of our enclosed run, under the coop. We couldn't reach her, so my husband poked at her with a long-handled rake and she just blinked her eyes (no startle or body movement). She has seemed 'off' to me for a week or two - more of a loner than usual, less red in the comb. When I got her, she was a very runty pullet and took well over 6+ months to start laying, but otherwise seemed healthy until recently. Her current behavior reminds me of another runty pullet I had who also died (a Marans). I am concerned because my Silver-Laced Wyandotte at point of lay died on 1/12/2015 (3 weeks ago). The SLW death was sudden - nothing seemed wrong with her beforehand, so I just suspected egg binding. I bought the two Wyandottes from different individuals who purchased them as chicks from separate hatcheries.

Any insight on what might be happening is greatly appreciated. Has anyone else had more health issues with Wyandottes? All of my other breeds seem very healthy.

 

[enola]

Have you wormed your chickens?

 

[melissamar97]

I have not wormed the hens. In doing more research, it does sound like some of the symptoms of worms, but I am reluctant to treat something if I am not sure it is a problem. Does this definitely seem like worms or could it still be other issues, such as her poor development?

 

[enola]

Worms can cause all sorts of problems. Here is something you might be interested in.......... Chickens can be sick for a long period of time before they show any symptoms. They are prey type animals in the food chain. So they will hide any sickness as long as they can. By the time the average flock owner notices chickens acting a little "off", the chicken may have been ill for a long time.

 

[melissamar97]

Thank you for your insight. Do you have a recommended wormer and egg disposal period? My hens lay brown and blue/green eggs. Do you think I could limit my own egg loss by worming by egg color (de-worm the brown layers first, then the EEs)? Or is it too risky to wait to give one half of the flock wormer?

 

[Suzie]

I would suggest that you consider that she may have a lice/mite problem...especially as her comb is pale...

Have you ever treated for lice/mites ? If so, what product did you use and when were the flock last treated for this potential problem ?

As Enola says...worms can make chickens very ill and will eventually lead to death in due course...de-worming is essential for their wellbeing..at least twice a year...more often if you live in a warm and humid environment...

 

[Suzie]

Safeguard ( Fenbendazole ) is a good de-wormer...comes in liquid form...for goats and cattle...or use Panacur which is used for horses...comes in a paste form..

 

[melissamar97]

Thanks, Suzie. I will check for mites/lice too. My flock got them last year and I successfully treated them by spraying them with coconut oil in late spring. I try to check their feathers occasionally, but need to check again.

 

[melissamar97]

Well, the hen died, as we expected. I didn't find any signs of mites or lice on her, but her vent was covered by a few feathers and gooey. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture, but it was green and yellowish orange. Does this sound like any of the worms? Is another possibility flystrike? Is there anything else it could be?