Is my hen dying?

[Bonniebooboo]

Did y'all notice her comb color ?

Yes, I was noticing that, just reading through to see if anyone had mentioned it yet. It should be better red if she is breathing better and getting more oxygen.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

Oh, Poor old girl! My opinion is that there is no coming back from that. Hopefully @casportpony will give you a second opinion. If she is no longer able to pass poop and her crop is backed up, I would say she only has a matter of a couple of days at the most, probably quite a bit less. Give her a nice blow dry with a hair drier (assuming she enjoys it) and keep her warm until you can make arrangements to end her suffering.

x2. She looks bad. I agree with you.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

Thank you for all of your help. What do you think is the best way to help her along peacefully?

Thank you for this. I feel awful for not catching it sooner. What exactly do you think she has (for future reference).




Thank you everyone for you words of kindness and help.

Please don't feel bad because you didn't catch it sooner. It happens and I'm fairly sure it has happened to many of us. I did notice one of mine doing the wobble walk and then weaker as yours with abdominal swelling, she was 2 yrs old. she had been laying good, but noticed I wasn't getting eggs, she died, nothing I could do, so I necropsied her to find a bunch of yellowish matter filled her abdomen and fluid. she had been internal laying, I just didn't know the "term" for that at the time. It is hard to lose an old one or any that you care about. Even though I caught mine sooner than you, there was nothing I could do for her. I felt bad too. This wasn't your fault. Bless you for caring so much.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sorry doesn't look well. Looks like the others have given all the info you need, good luck.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

Fear not, I will not post them here.

I agree with you on her prognosis.

I would love to see your video. These things are always educational.

 

[casportpony]

I would love to see your video. These things are always educational.

Not video, just pictures.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

It's pretty easy. Let me know if you want to try.

What is the longest you can wait to do a necropsy after a bird is dead? I'm interested in doing one (once I convince myself I can stomach it). I feel like I won't be able to do it because I have so much going on due to it being Thanksgiving week. Could you share the link for the necropsy thread?

 

[casportpony]

What is the longest you can wait to do a necropsy after a bird is dead? I'm interested in doing one (once I convince myself I can stomach it). I feel like won't be able to do it because I have so much going on due to it being Thanksgiving week. Could you share the link for the necropsy thread?

Would be best to do it in the first 24 hours, but if refrigerated, 3-5 day maybe?

 

[Bonniebooboo]

Not video, just pictures.

Pictures can work too.

 

[dennisma1]

she is old, did she just molt? I just had an older 8 year old chicken pass away a few days ago. She seemed weak , though was breathing ok. I kept her in and I feed her water with a dropper and yougart and scrambled eggs , but she remained weak, and after a few days it looked like she had a heart attack. her buddy Blackie is bereft. I'm picking up a few more pullets this weekend. I also keep fish antibiotics around to add to the water for emergencies like this, its not like I'm taking any 5 dollar chickens to the vet.