illness

[Abzon]

I have a two year-old Plymouth. She is the last of my flock. She seems to have developed an element of some kind. She has very runny stool and started out making coughing sounds but that went away now every once in a while, she just spits up what looks like water tablespoon at least maybe two still seems to have energy cell seems to act normal each normal but stop laying eggs at least six months ago . Talk to a person at the local feed store where I get chickens and they told me it sounds respiratory didn’t recommend that I treat with anything because it was likely not curable and she would likely never lay eggs again. I’ve read several post haven’t tried any remedies, but if I’m just going to keep her alive and help her live in misery, I don’t wanna do that. Any advice she is very lightweight. Her feathers look good her crop feels hard and her comb standing up fairly straight and looks pretty good.

 

[Debbie292d]

Since the cough comes and goes, she might have a low-level respiratory infection.

What I'd do is put her on a regimen of poultry vitamins in her water, like Poultry Cell or Nutri-Drench every other day. I'd also give her some probiotics a few times a week. That can be Greek yogurt, or they make powders for their water and crumbles for their feed.

If you try making a mash from her feed by mixing it with water, she might like that as ours think it's a treat. Scrambled eggs are another thing ours love for a treat, and those are nutritious too.

If this persists, she may need an antibiotic; those are available online. We can give you links if you need.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She has very runny stool and started out making coughing sounds but that went away now every once in a while, she just spits up what looks like water tablespoon at least maybe two still seems to have energy cell seems to act normal each normal but stop laying eggs at least six months ago .

What does her crop feel like? Spitting up water may be the cause of the coughing.

I'd also feel of her abdomen below the vent between her legs for any bloat or feeling of fluid.

Lastly, look inside her beak for any signs of lesions, yellow pasty material or canker.

She's stopped laying eggs 6mo ago, did she go through a molt? It may be that she's slow coming back into lay after molt, but hard to know. A 2yr old Plymouth Rock should begin laying late winter after molt.

See that she's eating a nutritionally balanced poultry feed (Layer Feed Or All Flock). That she has oyster shell and grit free choice.

It's possible that she has some type of respiratory illness going on, but she's the last of your flock, so perhaps has not been exposed to any new birds recently. What did the others die from or did you rehome them?

IF her crop is not emptying overnight, then begin addressing that symptom.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

I have a two year-old Plymouth. She is the last of my flock. She seems to have developed an element of some kind. She has very runny stool and started out making coughing sounds but that went away now every once in a while, she just spits up what looks like water tablespoon at least maybe two still seems to have energy cell seems to act normal each normal but stop laying eggs at least six months ago . Talk to a person at the local feed store where I get chickens and they told me it sounds respiratory didn’t recommend that I treat with anything because it was likely not curable and she would likely never lay eggs again. I’ve read several post haven’t tried any remedies, but if I’m just going to keep her alive and help her live in misery, I don’t wanna do that. Any advice she is very lightweight. Her feathers look good her crop feels hard and her comb standing up fairly straight and looks pretty good.

 

[Abzon]

Her flock mates passed from old age and a fox that got one of them she gets Nutrena Feather fixer feed and oyster shell and scratch to eat and Dubia roaches I raise as a treat. I want to get new hens but not if this is contagious. what antibiotics shouldI get ?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Her flock mates passed from old age and a fox that got one of them she gets Nutrena Feather fixer feed and oyster shell and scratch to eat and Dubia roaches I raise as a treat. I want to get new hens but not if this is contagious. what antibiotics shouldI get ?

Doesn't sound like you had any type of disease in your flock in the past. It would be hard to know if she has just now suddenly contracted some type of Respiratory Disease being a lone bird.

Some common symptoms of Respiratory disease is continuous/constant coughing, sneezing, rales and/or wheezing, mucous in the nostrils, bubbly eyes, facial swelling, pus in the eyes, sometimes lesions or heavy thick mucous inside the beak - does she have any of these?


I'd check her out as suggested below, there's many things that can cause odd symptoms in chickens.

If you are adamant and feel you must treat with an antibiotic without investigating further, then order some Tylosin and try that. As for if she's contagious, you'll need some testing for that. Send off for a a test kit and have a sample tested, then you'll know how best to proceed.

What does her crop feel like? Spitting up water may be the cause of the coughing.

I'd also feel of her abdomen below the vent between her legs for any bloat or feeling of fluid.

Lastly, look inside her beak for any signs of lesions, yellow pasty material or canker.

She's stopped laying eggs 6mo ago, did she go through a molt? It may be that she's slow coming back into lay after molt, but hard to know. A 2yr old Plymouth Rock should begin laying late winter after molt.

See that she's eating a nutritionally balanced poultry feed (Layer Feed Or All Flock). That she has oyster shell and grit free choice.

It's possible that she has some type of respiratory illness going on, but she's the last of your flock, so perhaps has not been exposed to any new birds recently. What did the others die from or did you rehome them?

IF her crop is not emptying overnight, then begin addressing that symptom.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/