Hen suddenly ill - staggering, not eating, not drinking, very sleepy

[Teochick]

Hello - we rescued 4 commercial barn hens 3 weeks ago (our first ever).

1 has been bullied badly (ironic as she is the largest, with most feathers - but is also the most timid and very sweet) and we have had to intervene a couple of times.

The last 2 nights we’ve gone to lock them in the coop and she hasn’t been allowed up so has been on the floor. We’ve therefore lifted her in and closed up for the night (she was soaking wet last night after a sudden downpour but I towelled her off as best I could).

Today she can’t stand and is falling over. Barely drinking the water I’m putting to her mouth. Not eating. Very very sleepy. For about a week she has had a dirty bottom (and today I saw yellow diarrhoea). A few of her feathers have come out in my hands today too.

We’ve moved her to the “sick bay” away from the others and I’m truly hopeful I can nurse her back to good health but I’m fearing the worst.

please are there any suggestions? I’m new to all of this and (due to COVID shielding) can’t get to the shops - but can order stuff online (but guess will take a few days to arrive).

All I have here is vitamin toner, apple cider vinegar and their food/grit. (Along with vermex de-wormer).

Any other treatments today are going to have to be makeshift stuff from the house.

Please please help if you can. Any recommendations gratefully received.

Thanks

 

[boskelli1571]

Hello - we rescued 4 commercial barn hens 3 weeks ago (our first ever).

1 has been bullied badly (ironic as she is the largest, with most feathers - but is also the most timid and very sweet) and we have had to intervene a couple of times.

The last 2 nights we’ve gone to lock them in the coop and she hasn’t been allowed up so has been on the floor. We’ve therefore lifted her in and closed up for the night (she was soaking wet last night after a sudden downpour but I towelled her off as best I could).

Today she can’t stand and is falling over. Barely drinking the water I’m putting to her mouth. Not eating. Very very sleepy. For about a week she has had a dirty bottom (and today I saw yellow diarrhoea). A few of her feathers have come out in my hands today too.

We’ve moved her to the “sick bay” away from the others and I’m truly hopeful I can nurse her back to good health but I’m fearing the worst.

please are there any suggestions? I’m new to all of this and (due to COVID shielding) can’t get to the shops - but can order stuff online (but guess will take a few days to arrive).

All I have here is vitamin toner, apple cider vinegar and their food/grit. (Along with vermex de-wormer).

Any other treatments today are going to have to be makeshift stuff from the house.

Please please help if you can. Any recommendations gratefully received.

Thanks

I'm not sure so I'm gonna bump you - @aart @Eggcessive
Good luck

 

[aart]

For about a week she has had a dirty bottom (and today I saw yellow diarrhoea). A few of her feathers have come out in my hands today too.

That does not sound good @Teochick ,

Not sure what to suggest, I don't 'treat' birds much.

Barely drinking the water I’m putting to her mouth.

Be very careful doing this, easy to aspirate/drown them.
I use a soaked Qtip held against side of beak,
it will wick into it's mouth and it will swallow it.
Stroke under beak and front of neck to stimulate swallowing.

Here's some tips about:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/safely-administering-oral-medications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

 

[Teochick]

Thanks for responses. Sadly we lost Delilah earlier today. She was on my lap and then closed her eyes for the last time. Very sad day. Such a shame after a rotten start to life. Wish I knew why and how this happened (and so quickly). Such a sweet but shy girl. Already missed.

 

[aart]

Sorry for your loss, it's never easy.

Wish I knew why and how this happened (and so quickly).

The only way to find out is have a necropsy done....either DIY or at a lab.
Double bag the bird and put it in the fridge(not the freezer).
If you tell us where you live, @Kiki has list of labs(I think).
Sorry, kind of macabre.

 

[Kiki]

Here ya go:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...sease-testing-state-lab-website-info.1236884/