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

[Wheeler01]

Thank you all for your kind words.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry to hear that your hen died.

 

[wheatlands]

hi, im really sorry you lost your chick, its dreadful especially when they are a pet.
you say you are going to get another to keep your remaining one company, which is a great idea, but can I just say that its not always easy to introduce a new chicken to your existing one, from experience, they may fight, which is distressing for all to see. I would recommend you buy 2 new ones as then if anything happens the one left will still have a pal, also I would introduce them slowly within 2 pens initially, so they can get used to each other before putting them together. I now have 19, all pets with names, but whenever I got new ones, I always erected a temporary fence, sectioning off the enclosure, with a rabbit hutch for them to live in just until I felt that they had been accepted by the others, this has worked out really well for me, no fighting! good luck

 

[BYOE]

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?)

 

[BYOE]

My chicken is in the same boat. She can barley stand up. She is puffed up, has diarhea, and can hardly keep her eyes open. This has been progressively getting worse the last couple days. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

My chicken is in the same boat. She can barley stand up. She is puffed up, has diarhea, and can hardly keep her eyes open. This has been progressively getting worse the last couple days. Any help would be appreciated.

How old is she, have you added any chickens recently, and how long have you had her?

 

[BYOE]

Thanks for the quick reply. You may be phycic. My chicken is 3 years old, and I added a new chicken to the coop about 3 weeks ago. The new hen is about 5 months old and is laying. They are both sex links. Since I've added the new hen my old girl started laying but has stopped for about a week an a half. Is this any help?

 

[Eggcessive]

With a new chicken she could have been exposed to a new strain of cocci. First though I would check her vent--insert a lubricated finger--for a stuck egg. If not, then put her on some Corid (amprollium) for coccidiosis for 5 days. Mix powder 1.5 tsp (or liquid Corid 2 tsp) per gallon of water. Also check her for lice and mites, and dust with 5% sevin dust if you find any. If she hasn't been wormed in a long time, worming with SafeGuard Liquid Goat wormer would be good--1/2 ml and repeat in 10 days. Many chicken illnesses can have similar symptoms.