Is there anything else I should be doing for sick hen?

[LovinMyChickies]

About 2 days ago I noticed one of my hens was not acting right. (9 month old Cinnimon Queen) She was doing the E.T. walk very slowly. She seemed off balance and lethargic too. She had some white poop on her feathers below her vent.

So yesterday, when she had not improved. I searched this site, and figured she was egg bound. None of my other hens appear to be affected.

My DH went out to the coop to bring her in while I prepared a warm bath and while he was carrying her in, she exploded white, watery, poop. (It also had a little yellow in it.) It was alot! DH said it was "Gassy" too. (sorry to be gross)

We bathed her and she passed a little more of the same poop. While she was in the bath, I checked her crop, and it was empty. I also checked her abdomen and it did not feel like there was any eggs. It was soft and squishy. No distention. After bath, I checked her vent and it looked nomal. The area around the vent seemed distended, but since I never see her vent without feathers, I'm not sure if it is normal.

I put a little mineral oil in, just in case. I dried her and put her in the dog crate near the wood stove and she rested. Several hours later I boiled an egg and she ate about half of it. She seemd to perk up when she ate.

This morning, I expected to find her dead, but she was alive. My DH said he heard her at the food dish, but when I looked in on her she slowly retreated to the back of the kennel and layed down. She looked alot better than yesterday. Her breathing was still a little labored, but not as bad as the day before. (No mouth breathing, this morning.)

I guess I just want to know if there is anything else I should be doing? Her vent does not appear clogged now, but as of 6:30 this am she had not pooped. DH and I had to got to work, so I don't know how she's doing as of this moment.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. I hate to see any animal suffer.

 

[jab91864]

So far it sounds as if you are doing well by her. Keeping her warm and unactive helps. I would probably add electrolytes to her water to help with possible dehydration. But if she eats and drinks well that is half the battle.

I'm sure someone will come along with more or better advice.

Good luck!!!!

Julie

 

[chickenzoo]

Sorry she is ill,

Does her lungs seem wheezy at all? Wheezing is often a sign of respiratory illness, are her eyes clear.... If she is not eating alot you may want to add some vitamins, like poly-vi-sol or chicken vitamins to her water. Is she drinking well? I would make sure she stays hydrated. I wish I had more advice for you, hope someone with more knowledge can help better.
Best Wishes

 

[LovinMyChickies]

Thanks I'll try the vitamins. I have'nt seen her drink, only eat. Lungs sound good and eyes are clear.

 

[chickenzoo]

If she does not drink, you can take a syringe and fill it with a mix of water and vitamins then inject under her loose skin on the back of neck, or her back.

 

[eggzettera]

An electrolyte solution will help perk her up here are two of Dlhunicorn's recipes for a homemade version.....

here is a recipe for a homemade Ringers solution from a rehabber (you do need salt substitute though):

1 1/4 teasoon sodium chloride (NaCl, common salt)

1 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)

rounded 1/2 teaspoon potassium chloride (commonly called "Muriate of Potash" >>>Salt substitutes contain mostly potassium chloride)

2 tablespoons glucose (a common source is corn syrup)

add above to 1/2 gallon water

If you do not have that then you can make your own emergency electrolyte solution:
(emergency electrolyte solution WHO):
1 cup of water
2 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp baking soda
(make fresh daily)

I also keep Avian Charge 2000 around the house for occasions such as this.

HTH
Nadine​

 

[sammi]

when did she last lay an egg?

keep a good check on her..for fever, or if she is getting worse..and keep checking the vent, and "belly" area.
she might have had a soft shelled egg that broke.
so you have any antibiotics on hand?

 

[LovinMyChickies]

I'm unsure of when she last laid. She was out in the coop with 24 of my other girls, so I don't know.

I don't have any antibiotocs, but will see about getting some in the morning, if she's still with me. As of this evening she took some electrolyte fluid from a dropper. She did'nt eat though. But she did poop twice. Although she has just a small amount of food in her system.

Much thanks to everyone for all the help!

Jackie