Hen suddenly very sick. Chalky white/yellow discharge, bad smelling vent. Other details provided, please help

[azygous]

Unhappy news, for sure. Rusty seemed to be doing well, and this is a bit discouraging. Let's keep hope this is just a minor setback.

However. And I hate hearing that word when the news is running the opposite way of what we want to hear. Crop stasis is sometimes a symptom of organ shutdown. You probably are aware of this possibility on some level. It's been a battle for this hen, and it may be she's losing it.

 

[TropicalChickies]

Unhappy news, for sure. Rusty seemed to be doing well, and this is a bit discouraging. Let's keep hope this is just a minor setback.

However. And I hate hearing that word when the news is running the opposite way of what we want to hear. Crop stasis is sometimes a symptom of organ shutdown. You probably are aware of this possibility on some level. It's been a battle for this hen, and it may be she's losing it.

Yes, I know organ failure is a distinct possibility. She's so young (17 months) and was so robust -- but anything is possible with chickens I've learned.

She is eliminating a large amount of waste -- it looks like everything she's eaten for the past few days, just feed mash, plus fermenting liquid with bubbles. I know that any sour crop takes a couple days to work, so hopefully she hangs in there to let the copper kill off the yeast. We can only wait and see.

 

[ManueB]

Sorry to hear she is doing worse ; I really hope it is a side effect of the antibiotics. She looked so good on the last picture you posted of her that it is hard to believe she would be going through organ failure now - but I have seen more than once chickens all of a sudden take an unexpected turn for the worse or for the better.

Hi, it's not an insensitive question at all, but I just don't have anywhere near enough knowledge of chemistry to answer.

I googled " What is the difference between copper sulfate and acidified copper sulfate?"

If you Google the same question, you might find an article that helps you learn more.

What I learned is,

Another word of acidified copper sulfate is pentahydrate.

That is very helpful. Thank you so much. I found pentahydrate sulfate on french websites. In fact I have some at home, though it might be a bit old (as in twenty years old). I just didn't know it was the same thing .
All imidazole antifungals require a prescription here, since two or three years ago.

 

[azygous]

Copper sulfate is a heavy mineral and does not degrade or biodegrade. The only reason to use the prepared solution within a few weeks is if it might separate out (just shake) or get contaminated somehow.

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes, I know organ failure is a distinct possibility. She's so young (17 months) and was so robust -- but anything is possible with chickens I've learned.

She is eliminating a large amount of waste -- it looks like everything she's eaten for the past few days, just feed mash, plus fermenting liquid with bubbles. I know that any sour crop takes a couple days to work, so hopefully she hangs in there to let the copper kill off the yeast. We can only wait and see.

I am sorry she is now struggling with a slow crop. I know how hard it is to see them go from one issue to the next. Keep us posted on her condition.

 

[TropicalChickies]

I am sorry she is now struggling with a slow crop. I know how hard it is to see them go from one issue to the next. Keep us posted on her condition.

Thanks so much @TwoCrows -- and everyone following. Rusty had a rough day, she's very tired and uncomfortable, but she's still alive.

Her crop doesn't seem to be completely inert. When I massage it, I feel it working -- not gas bubbles. Just now as I put her to bed, she was a bit more alert and trying to clear it by stretching her neck and shaking her head -- that's more than she did all day, she barely moved. She won't eat drink on her own, so I syringed her another 15ml of ACS water in the afternoon. I also gave her some of TwoCrows recipe yeast buster with lemon juice, ginger, cayenne, and cinnamon. Maybe that's what perked her up a bit.

It's just so bewildering to me how quickly she became so ill. I've had sick birds before, but their symptoms came on more gradually. I know they are good at masking illness, but exactly one week ago, she seemed perfectly fine.

I hope tomorrow is better for her.

 

[TwoCrows]

Thanks so much @TwoCrows -- and everyone following. Rusty had a rough day, she's very tired and uncomfortable, but she's still alive.

Her crop doesn't seem to be completely inert. When I massage it, I feel it working -- not gas bubbles. Just now as I put her to bed, she was a bit more alert and trying to clear it by stretching her neck and shaking her head -- that's more than she did all day, she barely moved. She won't eat drink on her own, so I syringed her another 15ml of ACS water in the afternoon. I also gave her some of TwoCrows recipe yeast buster with lemon juice, ginger, cayenne, and cinnamon. Maybe that's what perked her up a bit.

It's just so bewildering to me how quickly she became so ill. I've had sick birds before, but their symptoms came on more gradually. I know they are good at masking illness, but exactly one week ago, she seemed perfectly fine.

I hope tomorrow is better for her.

Sounds like you are doing all you can for her. Sometimes when they have mystery illnesses all you can do is give supportive care, which you are definitely doing. What is the weather like down there? If it's below 75°F (24°C) I'd keep her somewhere warmer. Sick birds slow their metabolism to save calories and get cold easily. I like to keep sick birds at 80°F (26°C) or warmer. It can help them heal faster. Keep syringing liquids of any kind, she can flush her system faster when hydrated.

 

[TropicalChickies]

Sounds like you are doing all you can for her. Sometimes when they have mystery illnesses all you can do is give supportive care, which you are definitely doing. What is the weather like down there? If it's below 75°F (24°C) I'd keep her somewhere warmer. Sick birds slow their metabolism to save calories and get cold easily. I like to keep sick birds at 80°F (26°C) or warmer. It can help them heal faster. Keep syringing liquids of any kind, she can flush her system faster when hydrated.

It's 80-88 during the day and about 72 as the low at night. We don't have a heater in this climate, but I've got her inside in a pen with a blanket over it.

 

[TwoCrows]

It's 80-88 during the day and about 72 as the low at night. We don't have a heater in this climate, but I've got her inside in a pen with a blanket over it.

Sounds good!

 

[azygous]

Her problem could be a blockage farther down the digestive tract, and a flush might be helpful to try tomorrow in lieu of the copper sulfate solution. It will also infuse her with additional nutrients and calories and should give her a boost besides stimulating her intestines to move any undigested material.

Give her one teaspoon molasses dissolved in one-fourth cup (59ml) warm water first thing tomorrow. It's easiest to tube it into her if you can to get it all in at once so it can stimulate her intestines. Do it for three days in a row. It's a mild natural laxative and is safe.