Hen symptoms/ what illness?

[sbrown]

I got 3 RIR hens from a guy a few months ago. They all looked healthy and acted fine but he did tell me one was not laying. I noticed the feed he was giving them that morning was terribly molded. I have them on laying pellets now and all my hens seem fine except this same one. Here are the symptoms: First off I notice that her feathers around duct area seem to stay wet looking. Also noticed runny stool in the pen area again this morning, I assume from her. About a week ago she got to were she wanted to stay in a separate coop/nesting area I have and away from the other birds. I thought she might be getting broody but she just never completely acted like it, like sitting on a nest or nest box or becoming irritated. I also noticied that one of her legs seemed a bkt swollen to me and she acted a little like she was having trouble getting around. I thought one of the roos may have injured her or just was getting older. She was only supposed to be about 3 years old. I gave her a couple days then decided to make her come down out of there and closed that coop off. She immediately went to eating and drinking and acts better now and is feeding around the yard at this moment. But the wet feathers combined with runny stool and not laying still makes me think something is wrong. My first thought is parasites. Any other ideas?

 

[Eggcessive]

Moldy feed can cause aspergillosis, but I don't think that is what she has. Have you looked her over around her vent at the base of her feathers for mite dust or lice eggs? Click here for pictures: http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html Have you wormed the flock since you got them. Safeguard liquid goat wormer is good 3/4 ml. is the dose; valbazen is even better--1/2 ml. is dose. From what you describe she may have coccidiosis or vent gleet. Coccidiosis usually affects younger chicks, but if you got them from another farm, they can still get it because there are different strains of it that may be on your farm. Treatment is Corid liquid 2 teaspoonsful in 1 gallon water, or powder1/2 teaspoonful per gallon water to be given for 5-7 days for all chickens. Do not put any thing else in water (vinegar or vitamins.) For vent gleet, it usually causes a bare area around the vent with white or yellow patches on the skin. You can cut any poopy feathers off with scissors, and wash it off to see the area. It is treated with giving some plain yogurt by mouth and apple cider vinegar in the water. A product called Nustock from the feed store can be rubbed on vent area to promote healing. Hopefully, you can figure out which one of these she has.