Lethargic adult hen--what's wrong?

[Appaloosa Hill Farm]

I don't know if y'all remember the "Cpt. Save-A-Quail" post I made a bit ago about the coturnix and buttons at a feed store. Well, I went back 2 weeks ago and bought the coturnix. The hen is VERY big (for a Pharaoh, she's not a jumbo) and has been steadily getting more and more lethargic. Today she's almost unable to open her eyes and is fluffed and sitting. I've separated her from the others, and am wondering if this sounds familiar to anyone. Any ideas what might be wrong with her?

 

[Goldlaced_Girl]

that's exactly like min! I was just coming on here to ask about it. It's an A&M hen. there also appears to be something wrong with her eyes. they're blue. I think she's blind.

 

[monarc23]

If you can, hold her,a nd feel below her pelvis for an egg, she may be eggbound and close to death. It sounds like whatever it is that she's close to death. If she's eggbound you can work the egg out of her vent delicately with some force (almost like squeezing toothpaste out of a toothpaste tube) if the egg is too big it may need broken before it even come sout of her so that it's more easy to pass which is easier said than done... im sorry and wish I could help more but without seeing her I can't really say waht could be wrong.. That or maybe she's just old?

 

[Appaloosa Hill Farm]

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I'll go palpate her abdomen and see if I can feel an egg. I, too, was wondering about her age. Thanks for the answer! I may do my own post mortem if she's passed overnight. I'll update as soon as I know something.

 

[Appaloosa Hill Farm]

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Oh no! I wish these little guys (gals) could talk, don't you? Wish they could tell us where it hurts, etc. I hope your hen recovers!

 

[monarc23]

how is she doing? No sign of an egg?

 

[Appaloosa Hill Farm]

She's the same. Very lethargic and ruffled. No signs of an egg. She's now refusing food and water. I'm thinking I should cull her and end her slow deterioration.

 

[monarc23]

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I hate to say it but yes it sounds like she is going to die... if you're lucky and she doesn't then that's wonderful!!! You oculd always try to force some liquids down her throat but if she really refuses then she can aspirate which just makes suffering worse... if it was me I would probably cull unless I thought there was really something i could do for her

Im so sorry!

 

[Appaloosa Hill Farm]

Thanks for the hug, I need it. This will be my first cull done by myself. My husband had to cull an A&M roo that the raccoon left alive but gravely injured, but this I'll do on my own. The poor hen doesn't even struggle any more when I pick her up. She didn't put up a fuss when I palpated her abdomen. She just cracked open one blue-glazed eye and looked at me.

This is the hard part of animal ownership. *sigh*

 

[Goldlaced_Girl]

Mine isn't refusing food or water yet, but she stumbles around like she's drunk.

I hope I don't have to cull her

she is laying an egg a day. So sorry about your hen.