ill chicken with dark red comb

[YarManYak]

Hi guys, first time I have posted but thought I must as one of our chickens fell I'll with an unknown illness. We have had our chickens for not too long now but they were rescued from a battery farm so we have no real idea of how old they are. Yesterday, I found one of the chickes by itself in the corner sitting down, not interested in food. I'm no expert on chickens so I guessed it was having a bad day and left it alone to not cause any unnecessary distress. Today though, I went to feed them and it was still there but this time the other hens were attacking it and its was yelping so I had to help it and removed it from the group before they did any real damage. It showed no signs of improvement over the day and by nightfall, after I had trued to rescue it by even giving it a bath encase it was egg laiden, my dad decided to put it out of its misery rather then let it be pecked to death by its own. I was wondering what it was suffering from encase kit happens again and I can save it. Its only symptoms were a very dark red comb, complete stillness, slight difficulty breathing and complete lack of appetite. It was sad to see it go but after seeing those hens go for it, it was for the best. I just want to know if I could save it if it was too happen again to another. The birds are free range most of the time and their roost is a reasonable size with no overcrowding that I am aware off. Thanks in advance, YMY

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. The dark comb was a symptom of poor circulation of the heart or respiratory failure, and was a sign that she was probably dying. It could have been many things--egg yolk peritonitis, heart, liver, or kidney failure, obstructed gizzard, or any number of things. A necropsy by your state vet on a refrigerated body is the only way to tell for sure. Doing your own necropsy at home would be good to learn if there were worms in the intestines, eggs laid internally in the abdomen, gizzard blockage, or tumors. The other chickens were probably pecking her because she was ill. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Romochickencrazy]

Welcome to BYC.  The dark comb was a symptom of poor circulation of the heart or respiratory failure, and was a sign that she was probably dying.  It could have been many things--egg yolk peritonitis, heart, liver, or kidney failure, obstructed gizzard, or any number of things.  A necropsy by your state vet on a refrigerated body is the only way to tell for sure.  Doing your own necropsy at home would be good to learn if there were worms in the intestines, eggs laid internally in the abdomen, gizzard blockage, or tumors.  The other chickens were probably pecking her because she was ill.  Sorry for your loss.

Thank you Eggcessive I had started a thread on this topic and didn't find to many answers. Your post here has been the most helpful so far. My hen didn't pull through however this helps to put my mind at ease. So Thank You!

 

[Eggcessive]

Thank you Eggcessive I had started a thread on this topic and didn't find to many answers. Your post here has been the most helpful so far. My hen didn't pull through however this helps to put my mind at ease. So Thank You!

Sorry for your loss, and I'm glad if it helped.