lerthagic hen

[DOEBOY]

About 3 days ago my wife called me at work to tell me that we had a sick chicken. She said that when she opened the door and the stampeed of feathers went by she noticed that one of the older hens was stumbling about the run, like it was drunk. I had seen one of the hens acting strange a few months ago but it got over it in a day and was back to normal. Well this time it just progressed down hill quickly. We isolated it from the rest of the hens and gave it food and water kept it in the shed. Well for 3 days it didn't eat or drink anything. Today it could barely stand so we made the decision to put her out of her pain. I had my wife disect it because I has to leave for work when she called she said that when she cut it open a clear yellow liquid ran out. I'm guessing ascites fluid? I noticed one of the chickens, a few weeks ago, chest felt mushy like there was some fluid in it. But I can't remember which one ? Before we put the hen down it would poop bright yellow chunks with a lot of liquid to go with it. Was this just a sick chicken or is this something that could spread to the rest of the flock? Thanks Doeboy

 

[chkn]

Sure could have been egg peritonitis. Peritonitis and ascities will have the fluid build up in the abdomen. Get a syring and needle (about 16 gauge) down at the farm supply for the next time this happens. There are alot of good threads here on draining the abdomen. A good antibiotic should be in your medical kit too. I think alot of this stumbling around was just infection and emaciation from the peritonitis.

 

[DOEBOY]

I dont think this hen layed very well. We were getting sporadic egg prduction with very thin shells and odd shapes. Since this has happened there have not been any odd eggs. thanks Doeboy