I have a sick hen and need info

[northern michigan girl]

I just got back my girls last week, (they were on a organic farm for the winter, while I was in sunny fla) They are very healthy looking and seem to be very peaceful and happy. 3 days ago it was very cold and one of the roadys was acting sick, closing her eyes, stumbling a little, I put in a light to warm her, today she is very listless, trying to keep her head up and her breathing is a bit rhaspy. Does she have a cold? I have her isolated with heat. what does one do for a hen with a cold? I rescued these girls last summer, 4 rhode island reds and 3 aroconas, and am attached to them. Looking for some sound advice. Thanks, northern michigan girl.

 

[chickensioux]

What is their diet? Had she been laying eggs and now isn't? Are there any discharges from eyes nose? Have they ever been dewormed?

 

[northern michigan girl]

Their diet has changed this past week, although all the rest are doing fine. I had them taken off of laying feed in Jan. to give a rest, im not sure if the farmer could tell who was laying and who was not. There is no signs of runny eyes or beak etc..I wonder if she has a egg stuck somehow. she just seems weak. I dont believe they have ever been wormed. Not sure how to go about that, could use some advice there too. They are two years old. What do you give a chicken that may have caught a cold? They went from a nice warm coop to one that wasnt heated and its been in the thirty degree range the last few nights.

 

[chickensioux]

It may just be a change of environment. But to be on the safe side I would isolate the one hen. Take her in the house and keep her in a warm dark box or crate. This will help if she is egg bound. The stumbling concerns me. I would also start her on antibiotics. You can find these at most feed stores. Terramycin powder (oxytetracycline) and put 2 Tbsp in a gallon of water and change it daily for 10 days. If you want to deworm her or all of them, you can order that from most hatcheries or perhaps the feed store will carry that too. I would start antibiotics first and not do both at the same timeunless you see a good improvement from her. Don't want to overload her system too fast.
What does her poo look like?
If you are leaning more toward egg bound, you can also soak her in a warm bath and keep her warm and quiet.
Offer her some plain yorgut or perhaps some scrambled eggs. Make sure she eats and drinks.
Let me know how it's going and what she is doing.

 

[northern michigan girl]

Its been 4 days now, she has been in isolation for three, hasnt eaten a thing, hasnt pooed either. I gave her water with a dropper, which she just doesnt seem that interested in, however, I gave her some echinacea tinture (the childrens kind with glycerine, NOT alcohol) and she liked that (ten drops) and talked to me and took a crap. Her only symtoms are keeping her eyes closed and puffing up and staying still. She wont eat, Ive tried lettuce & yogurt and feed. (her crap was watery with a glob of white and green looking seeds, perhaps fermented feed?) I have said prayers and will continue to give her liquids.. I guess its just wait and see.