Hen with Heavy Breathing, Purple Comb, Lethargy

[Dirt_Farm]

Cheyenne, my banty OEGB, was running around normal yesterday morning and afternoon. In the evening right before bed she went and laid under their water dish stand. She started breathing heavy and her comb became purple. No panting, sneezing, coughing, or discharge from anywhere. She stood up when everyone else went to bed, but wouldn't walk. I picked her up and she just sat in my hand.

I brought her in for the night and kept her at a comfortable temp. We've had a heat wave here so I was concerned she may have gotten over heated. During the night she had liquid white poo with pieces of arugala in it. That was their snack yesterday. My rooster and our two standard BLRW all ate the arugala and they are fine today.

She usually lays 1 egg a day. Every now and then she'll skip a day. Yesterday she didn't lay. Our two other hens just started laying eggs on Monday. Cheyenne sat on her egg and their eggs that day for a few hours. Then decided she'd rather be outside (She's never had a desire to sit on any if her eggs).

Her crop does seem a little full and hard. She hasn't eaten anything this morning and is just laying in her box.

I'm having trouble figuring out what her issue may be. Impacted crop or laying issues. I got a little liquid calcium down her this morning and now I'm wondering if I should treat for an impacted crop.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[The Coop Crew]

@azygous @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock

 

[SkyWolf]

I can’t say I know what’s wrong exactly, but I’d definitely keep a close eye on her. I’d also possibly recommend electrolytes if you are concerned about overheating. You might also want to give her more protein rich food, if she is eating.

So keep an eye on her and make sure she gets lots of food and water. I hope she does better <3

 

[Eggcessive]

How does her lower belly between the legs look and feel? Does she have any signs of water belly/ascites? My OEG had a swollen bluish belly, and had water belly. That is from liver failure, and can be related to reproductive problems or cancer. Are the white urates in her poop yellow as they look in the picture? I would give her plenty of fluids, either with electrolytes or sugar. Offer some chips of chilled coconut oil to peck, and check her crop often. Massage it if it is still full and firm, several times a day, and check again first thing in the morning after no food all night, to see if her crop has emptied.

 

[Dirt_Farm]

I can’t say I know what’s wrong exactly, but I’d definitely keep a close eye on her. I’d also possibly recommend electrolytes if you are concerned about overheating. You might also want to give her more protein rich food, if she is eating.

So keep an eye on her and make sure she gets lots of food and water. I hope she does better <3

Thank you! I appreciate the advice. I just added electrolytes to her water.

 

[Dirt_Farm]

How does her lower belly between the legs look and feel? Does she have any signs of water belly/ascites? My OEG had a swollen bluish belly, and had water belly. That is from liver failure, and can be related to reproductive problems or cancer. Are the white urates in her poop yellow as they look in the picture? I would give her plenty of fluids, either with electrolytes or sugar. Offer some chips of chilled coconut oil to peck, and check her crop often. Massage it if it is still full and firm, several times a day, and check again first thing in the morning after no food all night, to see if her crop has emptied.

Thank you for the advice! Her belly is it's normal light pink and not swollen. The urates in her poop are white with no yellow. The photo lighting isn't too great. There is a little green tint by the lettuce pieces, but I think that's from the lettuce. She's not wanting to eat or drink, just sleep, so I'm having to give her water through a dropper. I'll start some liquid coconut oil that way too.

 

[User635240]

Hi, I've been posting about avian metapneumovirus. It started recently spreading from Pennsylvania to other states. It spreads via particles, not really airborne. It hit my flock last month and I lost several birds but I figured out how to treat it:
- Heavy breathing: VetRx drops in throat (just a few, be careful no to suffocate her)
- Tylosin powder in water (dip her beak if she's not drinking independently)
- If eyes get swollen or infected, I found that terramycin ointment doesn't really help. Tobramycin or gentamicin drops in the eyes help greatly.
- Lastly the most important is to move the bird outdoors into fresh air (e.g. in a cage on the porch) until the illness has passed. This will improve her breathing and reduce spread to the rest of the flock.

Certain breeds seemed more susceptible than others, namely, black and black copper Marans chickens, and Embden geese.

 

[Dirt_Farm]

Hi, I've been posting about avian metapneumovirus. It started recently spreading from Pennsylvania to other states. It spreads via particles, not really airborne. It hit my flock last month and I lost several birds but I figured out how to treat it:
- Heavy breathing: VetRx drops in throat (just a few, be careful no to suffocate her)
- Tylosin powder in water (dip her beak if she's not drinking independently)
- If eyes get swollen or infected, I found that terramycin ointment doesn't really help. Tobramycin or gentamicin drops in the eyes help greatly.
- Lastly the most important is to move the bird outdoors into fresh air (e.g. in a cage on the porch) until the illness has passed. This will improve her breathing and reduce spread to the rest of the flock.

Certain breeds seemed more susceptible than others, namely, black and black copper Marans chickens, and Embden geese.

Thank you! I have Tylosin on hand so I'll follow these guidelines as well.