Hen with diarrhea and thirst

[Sara9889]

Our Barred Plymouth Rock, Harriet (slightly over one year old) started showing signs of listlessness last Thursday. Had some diarrhea then. I took her inside in a dog crate and called the vet. I took her in on Friday, but she was acting better and the vet couldn't find any eggs stuck or any parasites in her droppings. They gave us Flagyl and a dropper, suspecting that Harriet had a dietary indiscretion. I put her back out with the others.

Over the weekend, Harriet became listless again. She is drinking a lot, almost non-stop. I brought her back inside. Yesterday she did not eat but this morning she would eat cheese. And is still drinking. The Flagyl is not going down very well and she resists taking it.

Her diarrhea varies in color, but is watery with bright green "poo" or watery with a milky-yellow color.

I spent a lot of time searching the archives (thank you for all the great information!) but I am still not sure what she has. The vet is not a real chicken expert, so I am reluctant to go back (and spend more money).

I will continue offering her different foods to try to keep some calories in her. I am also going to go to the feed store this afternoon to see if they have anything I can try. In the meantime, if anyone has suggestions or recognizes what this is, I would really appreciate it. Harriet is our favorite hen because she is very social and this is troubling to experience.

Thanks very much!

Sara and Harriet

 

[sfw2]

Hi Sara (and Harriet)! If Harriet's not eating anything, then her poo will be watery, so that makes sense. Does she have anything in her crop? Does she seem dehydrated?

What is her regular diet? Had she eaten anything unusual prior to the initial onset?

Lots of questions, I know, but the more we know, the better we may be able to help.

 

[Sara9889]

Alison,

Thanks for your reply and the questions!

Her regular diet is Layena and some scratch/corn. The hens are out in our yard all day so eat grass and bugs and whatever they find. I don't know of anything unusual that she ate, and the other hens are fine.

I have to admit I am new enough to this that I do not understand the "crop" or how to tell if it is full.

She may be dehydrated, at least I suspect that is why she is drinking so much. Her eyes are kind of squinty, not as full and bright as usual.

I called our feed store and they do have an electrolyte powder that I am going to pick up and try this afternoon.

Thanks!

Sara

 

[Sara9889]

After work today I gave her electrolytes and antibiotics (the feed store recommended) in her water. She kept drinking, which I think is a good thing.

I did search the archives and learned all about the crop! And Harriet's crop felt larger and harder than the other hens. So, I forced some olive oil down her throat with a syringe and gently massaged the crop for a while. (She seemed to really enjoy the massage!). I did seem to soften and spread out a bit. I will check her in the morning and see how she is feeling.

I also learned that the feed store is a great source of information and help...much more so than the vet. Next time we have a problem, my first stop will be here on the forum and to the feed store.

Thanks!

Sara and Harriet