Hen suddenly dying

[BlueTheBrahma]

Yesterday, I noticed that my older red sex link hen was struggling to stay awake, and her comb had recently became very pale. When I let my chickens out this morning, I realised that one was missing, and without looking properly knew which one it would be. She was lied down inside the coop with her beak to her breast, not moving but breathing still. I have moved her to be by herself so she isn’t bothered by my other hens and roosters, but she is still very still and not eating or drinking.
I’m pretty pure she won’t survive the night, but is there anything else I can do to help, and does anyone know what could have caused this, she is about three or four (I got her as and adult, and don’t have an exact age).
Thanks

Her last fortnight (she has always had not feathers on her head, that’s why she’s called bald Bob)

Her Today

 

[Frankiegirl]

Oh sweet pea…im sorry she is struggling…have you tried giving her water via syringe with electrolyte and offer her some scrambled egg or yogurt? Did you check her for mites or parasites? Good luck

Also, have you checked to see if she is egg bound? Has her laying been interrupted?

 

[Kiki]

Poor thing.

You could tube feed her fluids and then food to try and keep her alive to see if you can figure out what the problem is... Unfortunately It would be a guessing game.

Water is the most important and if you were to try to syringe it into her mouth you have to be extremely careful you aren't forcing it down the wrong pipe because it will kill her if you do squirt it down the wrong spot.

The little tiny bit of leg that is viewable in one of your photos above looks to be in very bad shape. Scaly leg mites.

Are you sure she does not have any lice or mites all over her?

How long have you had her?



Tube feeding fluids first then food or ending her suffering would be the best two options.

 

[Kiki]

Yesterday, I noticed that my older red sex link hen was struggling to stay awake, and her comb had recently became very pale. When I let my chickens out this morning, I realised that one was missing, and without looking properly knew which one it would be. She was lied down inside the coop with her beak to her breast, not moving but breathing still. I have moved her to be by herself so she isn’t bothered by my other hens and roosters, but she is still very still and not eating or drinking.
I’m pretty pure she won’t survive the night, but is there anything else I can do to help, and does anyone know what could have caused this, she is about three or four (I got her as and adult, and don’t have an exact age).
ThanksView attachment 2861308Her last fortnight (she has always had not feathers on her head, that’s why she’s called bald Bob)View attachment 2861312Her Today

This food stuff pictured...
Is this what you feed your birds daily?

This might be part of the problem.

Do you not have crumbled or pelleted type feed available where you are?

Disappears to be scratched grains which gives the bird the option to choose which pieces of feed it wants which in turn causes it to not get a balanced diet.
Birds that do not get balanced diets tend to be more susceptible to illness.
Deadly illness with reproductive type issues.

Also this breed was made to lay eggs.
They are much more prone to these type of laying disorders too just being the breed they are.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

Oh sweet pea…im sorry she is struggling…have you tried giving her water via syringe with electrolyte and offer her some scrambled egg or yogurt? Did you check her for mites or parasites? Good luck

Also, have you checked to see if she is egg bound? Has her laying been interrupted?

She had stopped laying over a month ago, but I think that was molting. She had mites since I got her and I tried treating them, and they were getting better, but still not in the best shape.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

This food stuff pictured...
Is this what you feed your birds daily?

This might be part of the problem.

Do you not have crumbled or pelleted type feed available where you are?

Disappears to be scratched grains which gives the bird the option to choose which pieces of feed it wants which in turn causes it to not get a balanced diet.
Birds that do not get balanced diets tend to be more susceptible to illness.
Deadly illness with reproductive type issues.

Also this breed was made to lay eggs.
They are much more prone to these type of laying disorders too just being the breed they are.

That is layers mash, they also get corn and layers pellets, I just thought that the mash lets her choose the pieces she wants as I’m not sure how much a balanced diet can do her now.

 

[Kiki]

That is layers mash, they also get corn and layers pellets, I just thought that the mash lets her choose the pieces she wants as I’m not sure how much a balanced diet can do her now.

A balanced diet isn't going to help her today but it could help your other birds.

I highly recommend stop being feeding that feed and switch to a pellet or a crumble only.
No corn or scratch either.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

Poor thing.

You could tube feed her fluids and then food to try and keep her alive to see if you can figure out what the problem is... Unfortunately It would be a guessing game.

Water is the most important and if you were to try to syringe it into her mouth you have to be extremely careful you aren't forcing it down the wrong pipe because it will kill her if you do squirt it down the wrong spot.

The little tiny bit of leg that is viewable in one of your photos above looks to be in very bad shape. Scaly leg mites.

Are you sure she does not have any lice or mites all over her?

How long have you had her?



Tube feeding fluids first then food or ending her suffering would be the best two options.

Thanks, I’ve had her since June and she had leg mites then, I’ve been treating them with a spray and they were getting better, but unfortunate I may not see the legs at full health. She is my first chicken to die, so I am relatively inexperienced with everything, but have done my research.
Thanks

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

A balanced diet isn't going to help her today but it could help your other birds.

I highly recommend stop being feeding that feed and switch to a pellet or a crumble only.
No corn or scratch either.

Thanks, I’ll see what I can find, my other hens didn’t seem to like the pellets as much so I mostly fed them this layers mash, I’ll stop giving it them though if you think it is doing them harm. I read giving them corn as a treat was helpful to warm them up on cold nights, and don’t give them loads

 

[Kiki]

Thanks, I’ll see what I can find, my other hens didn’t seem to like the pellets as much so I mostly fed them this layers mash, I’ll stop giving it them though if you think it is doing them harm. I read giving them corn as a treat was helpful to warm them up on cold nights, and don’t give them loads

This is not true about corn.
The best thing you can do is feed your birds a balanced diet.

Giving them the option on which seeds to eat is not a good.
Don't give them the option And they will learn to like the pellets.


Preventing illness is worth its weight in gold.

Are you in the US?