Lethargic, bald butt and limping hen

[Airehead012]

My year old BR hen came in from free ranging with the rest with a limp and an odd attitude. I think her limp is just because she lost a nail on one of her feet (the one she was limping on), but upon further inspection, she had an extremely poopy bottom. My mom cleaned it off to find that her bottom was almost bald! That was yesterday, and today she is staying in the shady area of our run, and not moving around much. She does not look like she's feeling too well (sleepy, very droopy tail feather, half-close eyes). She has been eating and drinking still, as far as I know, and we got an egg from her yesterday. Does anyone have any suggestions on what's going on with her and how to treat it????

 

[Airehead012]

Anyone? Please.... Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[Big E]

Wow. Very strange. Last week my two y.o. hen started exhibiting the same signs and symptoms as your hen. Only her chest, her abdomen and her butt were bald. She died the next day. Boom. Now today I notice another hen exhibiting the same signs. She's likely a gonner, too.
About three weeks ago I brought home a rooster and two new hens. They are beaming with health. They came from health looking, hand-raised stock from a raiser who obviously took pride in her birds. So, did I introduce something into my flock? Who knows.
Also, if the only way to know definitely what's ailing my girls is a necropsy - well, I'm very sorry to say: "I love my birds but, they are $8.00 chickens. One dead chicken autopsy would cost me more than my whole flock - coop and all - is worth!"
Guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

Hope your's is a happier ending.

Ellen

 

[Terri O]

Check to see if she is egg bound. That will cause them to look "bald" because the abdomen is swollen. Terri O

 

[Big E]

How does one check for bound eggs? I felt around on her abdomen and even inserted a lubricated little finger - barely - into her vent. Nothing. And her crop was soft...
Oh, and one of my birds had been laying soft, leathery shelled eggs. Now that Starr is dead - no more "bad eggs". EL

 

[Airehead012]

I'm pretty sure she's not egg-bound, but she's doing pretty badly today. She's sleeping a lot and she's not walking very well. She's still eating and drinking, but I really don't know what to do! Please help!

 

[Airehead012]

Just stuck a finger up her butt again. There's nothing hard that could mean she's egg-bound, but she was abnormally hot. I'm almost wondering if she had a tumor. She walking like a drunk and has to stick her wings out to keep her balance. Any ideas on what to give a chicken with a bad fever?

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
You may be surprised. Check with your ag extention office. Some of the colleges and many states offer free (you pay shipping) necropsy for home flocks.

 

[Airehead012]

She's still alive today (surprisingly), and I'm starting to wonder if she's an internal layer. She's only getting up and walking when she really has to, but she's staying awake (just preening herself over and over). Her face and eyelids are sort of droopy, and I can't tell if she's going blind or not. Any ideas on medicines that might help? Please, I don't know how much longer she's going to make it.

 

[chuckzoo]

I am sorry I don't have any advice for you but hopedfully I can get you noticed and someone will come along that can help.

Perhaps you could put her in a warm water bath, if she is trying to lay this may help her relax.