hen with runny poo and troubles walking?

[ruthschickens]

Hello,

I have a 3 yr old french blue hen who has had some bad runny poop for a while now, I've introduced yoghurt into her diet and clean her bum every night and there has been a little improvement but recently she's started walking around with her tail tucked down, she often loses her balance and frequently naps.
She's still drinking and eating lots, doesn't seem to be losing weight or feathers and I have 2 other hens who are perfectly healthy.

Has anyone heard of something like this or have any tips for helping her out? I'm hoping it's maybe a cold (can chickens catch colds?), it has been raining a lot recently. Any advice would be much appreciated, sorry I don't have any pictures to show.

ruth

 

[chicmom]

I wonder if she's got egg peritonitis. (Not sure if I've spelled that right). Hens often walk with their tails down (sort of like a penguin), when they've had eggs break inside of them. Has the runny poo looked anything like an egg that has been smashed?

If so, I would giver her antibiotics, like Tylan, which is strong. Maybe she has infection inside of her.

Another thing is, has she been wormed? A really big worm infestation can often just drain and kill a hen. Have you wormed her?

I would catch her, and put her in a nice crate with clean bedding, food and water handy, so she can rest. I'd also put vitamins/electrolites in her drinking water.

That's really all I can suggest....It's truly a guessing game. Good luck with her,
Sharon