I think my chicken is dying, please help!!!

[Wheeler01]

Hi there,

I'm looking for some advice, we have two chickens a warren and vorwerk who are happy little chickens. My warren recently had a prolapse which we sorted and she seems happy but today I let my chickens out before work to free range around our garden and I've just been to shut them up for the night and my warren (big red) was in but gert (vorwerk) wasn't. I found her under a bush really lethargic and she even let me pick her up which she normally doesn't as she's feisty. Anyway her eyes kept opening and closing and her breathing seems really slow and shallow. I've put the coop to see if she would settle and she just flopped in and her head is laid on the wood shavings. I'm really concerned as I'm attached to them and don't want her to die but I'm thinking it's not looking good. Any advise would be massively appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

welcome to BYC. I'm afraid it may be too late to save her. Check inside her vent with a lubed finger for being egg bound. Is her crop big and hard? If you have any electrolytes you could dip her beak to make her drink. Has she been huddling or acting different? Any diarrhea or poor appetite? So sorry that I don't know the answer.

 

[ten chicks]

Check her for being egg bound.

 

[hiddenflock]

I think this might be an infection, either brought on by the prolapse or something new, if that's the case. If you can take her to the vet, the vet will probably give you some Baytril shots, and we've had good experiences with Baytril clearing up infections.

 

[Wheeler01]

Thanks for your replies. I have checked her vent and all seems fine in that department. I've just checked on her again and she seems worse not better. I'm at a total loss.

 

[Eggcessive]

Could she have eaten something bad such as decayed animal carcass/fish/vegetation that could have caused botulism? Is there any poison or lead paint chips around? Symptoms would include weakness or paralysis of legs progressing to wings, then neck. Feathers may be easily pulled out. Has she had any signs of coccidiosis (lethargic, poor appetite, diarrhea, huddling or puffing up?)

 

[Wheeler01]

No everything is kept chicken friendly, no lead or anything or diarrhoea and she's had a fantastic appetite up to yesterday. Unfortunately she passed away in the night, I'm just so shocked how she was fine in the morning and died less than 24hrs later. My other chicken seems fine I've had a check of her this morning and she's free ranging and pecking about I just feel sad that her friends gone.

 

[annanimal]

I am so sorry she passed away...

 

[ten chicks]

No everything is kept chicken friendly, no lead or anything or diarrhoea and she's had a fantastic appetite up to yesterday. Unfortunately she passed away in the night, I'm just so shocked how she was fine in the morning and died less than 24hrs later. My other chicken seems fine I've had a check of her this morning and she's free ranging and pecking about I just feel sad that her friends gone.

My condolences on her passing,very heartbreaking when a pet dies.

When you mentioned that you checked her for being egg bound,did you actually do a cloacal exam? This information is needed for future reference,so that you will know what to do next time. Egg binding kills often within 24-48 hours.

 

[Wheeler01]

Hi there, no I didn't i will have a look into this for future reference as I'd hate to lose anymore. She wasn't laying so with everyone's advice I'm wondering if this was why. I'm new at owning chickens so learning as I go along with books and this website. It's heartbreaking as they are pets for my son not just for the eggs. My other chicken seems unhappy now I think she's lonely now her friend has passed away. I'm going to get another one so she's got some company as I'd hate to lose her too.