Hen with strange symptoms

[2cruzers]

We have a hen that has intermittent symptoms. It happened yesterday and then she was normal and happened again early this morning. She is a Momma hen. Chicks over a week old and healthy. The hen sticks her beak up towards the sky then looks like she is gasping for air while laying in the upright position. Comb is pale, but not blue. No discharge of any sort. Eyes look good. Once in a while will kind of flit around like she can't use her legs. My daughter-in-law is a large animal Veterinarian. She decided to try her on Baytril we already had, as a desperate measure and after she gave her the Batril, she gently stroked her back. She started to relax, a little color came back to her comb. She lifted up a little to let the chicks in. Then my daughter-in-law went to listen to her lungs and she struck out at her like normal for a protective hen. She listened and her lungs were clear. Then she got up and walked away to her little hen house after she got a little fluid and was mad. Now seems absolutely fine. Earlier we were sure she was dying. We are just not sure. Please help.

 

[azygous]

Sounds like a possible crop disorder. Often a chicken, even baby chicks, will extend the neck and gape when their crops are uncomfortable.

Feel the crop now to determine how full it is, how hard, whether lumpy or squishy. But most important, check it first thing in the morning before she drinks or eats. If it's not completely empty and flat, you may need to treat for either yeast or impaction.

If you feel a hard, lumpy crop, try massaging gently to break up the contents. You should be able to feel the crop empty as you massage.

 

[2cruzers]

Sounds like a possible crop disorder. Often a chicken, even baby chicks, will extend the neck and gape when their crops are uncomfortable.

Feel the crop now to determine how full it is, how hard, whether lumpy or squishy. But most important, check it first thing in the morning before she drinks or eats. If it's not completely empty and flat, you may need to treat for either yeast or impaction.

If you feel a hard, lumpy crop, try massaging gently to break up the contents. You should be able to feel the crop empty as you massage.

 

[Cyprus]

It could be a crop disorder, as is likely.
It could also be gapeworm.

 

[2cruzers]

Her crop seems fine and squishy.

 

[Cyprus]

I think it's gapeworm. Read this.
https://thisnzlife.co.nz/signs-your-chickens-might-have-gapeworm-plus-how-to-treat-it/

 

[Eggcessive]

I don’t think that a chicken with gapeworms would be perfectly fine in between the times that she is exibiting this behaviour. Gapeworm is fairly rare, but can be ruled out with a fecal test on fresh droppings done by any vet.

It sounds either like a possible neurological symptom or a crop adjustment. Check the crop now and first thing in morning before she goes out to eat and drink. If there is something in her crop then, there might be a crop problem, about which @azygous knows a lot.

Gapeworms are treated with fenbendazole (SafeGuard Goat Wormer) 0.25 ml per pound or about 1.25 ml for a 5 pound hen given orally for 5 consecutive days. Here is a link for buying and usually is found at most feed stores or TSC:
https://www.jefferspet.com/products...9r0C7ilUGhLikqb04uVWGhVEoJIqFEUhoC-D8QAvD_BwE

 

[azygous]

Please check her crop first thing in the morning to confirm either a normal empty crop or a squishy crop which would signify a yeast infection.

In the eons that I've been on BYC, I can count on two fingers the number of times a chicken has actually had gape worm. It's pretty rare, as @Eggcessive mentioned.

 

[Eggcessive]

A video posted to YouTube with a link posted here of the behavior could also be helpful.

 

[2cruzers]

Thank you for your replies everyone. Momma hen died that night.