lethargic, black around nose, green foamy poop, no other symptoms

[heather134]

Do you have any clearer photos of her poop?
What's the pinkish looking thing in the center?

When was her last egg? If she's not laid an egg and should have, then I'd start her on Calcium Citrate with D3, asap.

Check to see if her crop is emptying overnight.

Work on hydration. Giving the Gatorade is fine. You can also give a little sugar water or electrolytes. Do make fresh plain water available as well.

Not certain when her last egg was. It could easily have been a couple of days. Will calcium citrate and D3 help with bound egg? I haven't tried to check for an egg before. What we do for these girls!

 

[heather134]

Feeling around her vent area there doesn't seem to be an egg, but maybe up higher? I don't want to hurt her but also want to try and move it along if that's the issue.
She won't curl her toes when we touch them. She seems to have strength at the top of her legs, but not her toes.
Giving her a warm bath now hoping that will stimulate the egg, and fed her additional calcium (the flock has full-time access, so no idea if she's been eating any). And she was vaccinated so don't think it's Marek's.
Would love any other thoughts or advice on this!

 

[heather134]

her poop from overnight. Searching more on this site, since her poop has returned to normal, she obviously isn't egg bound. Any ideas why she can't walk?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Her crop doesn't seem empty, but the food and water is basically under her beak so she may have refueled all morning.

and fed her additional calcium (the flock has full-time access, so no idea if she's been eating any). And she was vaccinated so don't think it's Marek's.
Would love any other thoughts or advice on this!

Even though they have access to calcium/oyster shell, giving the Extra Calcium Citrate is for quick uptake, given for a short period of time (usually no more than 5 days) and to help get a hen through crisis if she's having trouble expelling an egg, lash material, a membrane, etc.

Any chance she ate something moldy, toxic (oil spills, weed killer, etc.), compost, etc.?

I'd work on hydration, get fluids into her. See if she will eat a little. Do take out the food/water overnight and check to see if her crop is emptying.

Look her over for lice/mites.

Hard to know why she's unable to stand. If she's got an egg pressing on a nerve, that's a possibility.

Marek's disease is a possibility...the vaccine does not prevent infection from the virus, it can help stop the formation of tumors.

 

[heather134]

I really appreciate your response.
No mites / lice.
No chance she got into something toxic, there's no access to those areas.
She's drinking a good bit. On another thread someone suggested watermelon, so she ate a good bit of that yesterday. Will give her crushed calcium citrate now (we gave her half a Tums, per another thread). What about crushed vitamin D or B? I bought those too just in case.
Should we put her in a sling so the weight is off her legs? She's not trying to stand, but she's definitely trying to push herself around with her head. Also, she doesn't show any signs of pain when we check her back, legs, and tail. We thought something might be broken, but she seems to be able to move things when we lift her. Just no muscle to do it.

 

[heather134]

I don't want to start another thread, but since her symptoms have changed so dramatically maybe I should? She's not even 2, she's always been very healthy. She's never picked a fight with other hens and no signs of pecking. I don't think she fell from a fight - versus certain other hens who wouldn't surprise me if they were injured.
I still don't seem to feel an egg, but I have trouble feeling for one in healthy hens when they're about to lay, so I'm a poor judge.
She's still pooping, though it was a bit runnier tonight. Her crop is full and I'll take away food at bedtime. She's trying really hard to pull herself around by her head but it's a lost cause. We're propping her up so she can lift and lower her head to eat. Photo shows how her legs are tucked under her, unusable. I tried to get a video but hard to take it myself and get anything usable.
Her chest feathers are pretty damp because she keeps reaching for more of the wet mash across the tray. It's really humid and I don't think she'll dry overnight. Is that bad for her?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry she's not doing better.

I'd give her a whole calcium tablet.

Have you looked underneath her along the breast and abdomen to make sure she's not injured or there's any signs of dark brusing?

You can try placing her in a sling to see if that makes her more comfortable.

 

[heather134]

Day 4: Her crop didn't completely empty overnight. Her stools are normal. Gave her a warm bath and she fell asleep for a bit. Still can't seem to feel an egg. She seems to be regaining some feeling in her left foot. Here's a link to a video that shows how she can move her legs when her body is lifted, but can't stand on them (with a loud hen who proudly laid an egg in the background)
Can't figure out another way to post a video, and photos aren't really useful.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pFZBw2Eq3ejajqDt5
No signs of bruising, though her breastbone is getting a little raw from spending all of her time on it. The sling didn't really work.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think you are doing what you can for her. I wouldn't feel for eggs, just give her the calcium for a week.

It's so hard to know what's happened with her.

 

[heather134]

Here's an update on our little Heihei. This morning her toes are curled, like photos I've seen for Marek's. It may be due to her prolonged sitting on them (7 days) but we are giving her one more day before calling it. I can tell she's miserable. Occasionally she tips forward onto her face, and she has to desperately flap to try and right herself or we hear her struggle and prop her up again. Her water intake is decreasing too, and even though she gets mash with some moisture I'm sure it's not enough for the high heat (94F yesterday I believe). I disinfected the entire coop just in case, but no other girls have shown any signs. I guess all I can do is cross fingers.
Thank you so much Wyorp Rock for virtually holding my hand through this and giving advice where you could. I've been a wreck, and your comments are appreciated more than you can know.