Is E. coli opportunistic in chickens?

[Elspeth Dinsmore]

Dare I say that my dear Jafar is doing well? As well as can be I suppose. I’m not sure why I’m updating. For my own comfort I suppose.

She is no longer pretending to lay as of about 2 weeks ago. Her comb has shrunk and I wasn’t imaging it, so has her abdomen - it is no longer bulging. She is still a bit slow but seems happy and is at a healthy weight. She eats and is back to trying to keep Ravioli in line. They’re in a tie for lowest in the pecking order.

So many ups and downs. Still unsure if she’ll molt as only one bird in our flock as just barely started this week. Not sure if that’s why her comb shrunk maybe? I don’t see any of her feathers laying around or under the roost though.

Perhaps it’s the cooler weather doing her good. Just going to enjoy these good days with her. View attachment 3946884

Oh, this makes my heart so happy to hear that Jafar is doing a little better! I loved hearing your update. You are doing such a wonderful job caring for her, Alina! I will continue to be praying for you and your sweet girl.

 

[alinas2010]

Oh, this makes my heart so happy to hear that Jafar is doing a little better! I loved hearing your update. You are doing such a wonderful job caring for her, Alina! I will continue to be praying for you and your sweet girl.

Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a lot!

 

[alinas2010]

Sharing our good days while they are here. Not laying, hopefully that lasts. No bloating in her abdomen any longer. Full crop every night at bed.

 

[alinas2010]

Time for a monthly Jafar update. She’s doing well. Seemingly healthy and happy. I did see her squat yesterday. I haven’t seen her in the nesting boxes or any eggs, though.

 

[alinas2010]

Monthly update…and just as I was telling someone about how well Jafar was doing, she takes a turn Can’t say I didn’t expect it at some point. I am going to try to treat with antibiotics again. Still no laying activity, but she was doing an occasional squat.

Her abdomen has been enlarging slowly over the past week or so. I noticed that she slowed down and wasn’t coming over when I brought out mash and boiled eggs for the molting ones this week. Then I found her hiding yesterday and today. So I started amoxicillin today. She has very infected-smelling droppings again.

That’s all I can do is try. It’s encouraging that this time I started an antibiotic at the point where she at least is somewhat active still. And she is plumper this time. And the weather is cooler, plus I’ll start probiotics immediately to try to avoid crop issues. I think I’ve gotten all the advice I can on this issue. I guess I’m just sharing at this point.

Here she is today, my sweet little chicken, her comb is beginning to flop over today:

 

[alinas2010]

I need one advice on if I should bring Jafar inside tonight or basically while it is cold out. I’m not sure she will make it through the infection this time. Today is the 5th day on antibiotics and I don’t really think she is improving. I did at first but now I dont see her improving anymore. Tonight will be 18f the weather says, usually it gets about 5 degrees lower than what the weather says it will be. Will she be better off inside or outside with the flock? She’s lowest on the pecking order. They haven’t been more mean to her than usual, but she has been isolating for the most part, not really eating. It’s been cold, she seems big and poofy. I am providing heat in the coop because of her and two poorly molting hens, but I don’t think it’d get warmer than 25-30 in there. Are they like humans where if they’re sick they get chilled?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would bring her inside overnight. When it gets down to 15, I think that is too cold for a sick hen. We get down to 10 or lower for a few weeks in January, and I really watch my hens closely. Most healthy chickens are fine above 10 if they are out of the wind and it is dry, but a sick one would not be to fight that hard. I hope that she gets better again.

 

[alinas2010]

I would bring her inside overnight. When it gets down to 15, I think that is too cold for a sick hen. We get down to 10 or lower for a few weeks in January, and I really watch my hens closely. Most healthy chickens are fine above 10 if they are out of the wind and it is dry, but a sick one would not be to fight that hard. I hope that she gets better again.

Thank you. I will bring her in. Maybe the warm night in will give her a chance to rest well.

 

[alinas2010]

I would bring her inside overnight. When it gets down to 15, I think that is too cold for a sick hen. We get down to 10 or lower for a few weeks in January, and I really watch my hens closely. Most healthy chickens are fine above 10 if they are out of the wind and it is dry, but a sick one would not be to fight that hard. I hope that she gets better again.

Now I’m just over thinking things…our basement is probably around 55f, will she be okay there or should I put her somewhere warmer upstairs? I’m having a hard time judging what she needs being sick. Is this like a human with a fever?

 

[Eggcessive]

That is warm enough if you are taking her back outside tomorrow. But if a chicken is very very ill, you would want them to be in a warm spot around 75 degrees. I would put her in the basement tonight.