lethargic, blind hen

[Godsgrl]

2 yr old hen, RIR mix, penned in large coop (outside dog kennel) with run that size again. Fed laying mash, scratch feed, and given time to free range every day. Has 8 other friends, 3 are roos. (too many, am working on that).

Presented Weds with listlessness, not wanting to eat, hanging around nest boxes, possibly to hide underneath. Allowed me to pick her up, very unusual. No outward signs of anything. Only one hen laying in coop, last egg has been a while now due to weather.

Very tender in belly area, if pressed, hen squats/falls. Nothing felt in external or internal exam of vent area. Hen walks into obstacles, and has only occasional menace reflex. Not eating, but is drinking some. Wanting to either stand or lay down.

No runny nose, no sneezing or coughing. Poop is looser than usual, and is green. Diminished amount of droppings, but hen isn't eating either.

All ideas welcome, have given hen vitamins and electrolytes. Thank you!

Edited to add: hen is pictured in my avatar.

 

[horsejody]

Has she ever laid an egg? Could she be an internal layer?

 

[Godsgrl]

Quote:
She has laid eggs in the past with no problem. Could she suddenly become an internal layer? Her whole coop stopped laying for winter, but one hen has started back up lately.

 

[yab]

an internal layer?! aka "egg bound" ?

 

[jjthink]

Avian vet, if possible.
JJ

3 drops children's liquid polyvisol vitamins daily for the next week. But it sound slike she needs more help than just that.

 

[Godsgrl]

Thank you Yab and JJthink.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
She has laid eggs in the past with no problem. Could she suddenly become an internal layer? Her whole coop stopped laying for winter, but one hen has started back up lately.

Yes, it could happen, but I hope it's something simpler.

 

[sammi]

Yab...eggbound and an internal layer is different..

eggbound is when they have an egg that's "stuck" and the hen is having trouble passing it.

internal laying is when a hen's body forms eggs (without a shell)..and they are absorbed in the body instead of continuing to form..
if they do this often, the yolk mass that forms can build up in the body..can become quite large..
Sometimes can become septic..
there is a condition..EYP (egg yolk peritonitis)
generally irregular layers are most often internal layers..but not always.

Godsgirl:
separate this hen to a warm safe place where you can tend to her and observe closely. also..to get away from the others, especially the roos.
she is ill and can't defend herself.

could this hen have injured herself by falling?
please describe the droppings..color and consistency.

I think this hen could be egg bound or have a broken egg and have an infection..
check the vent for any drainage, or heat or swelling of the area..
check for fever..feel the comb and under the wings for heat.

she may not be blind..just weak, in pain, and very ill.
are you able to take her to a vet?
if not..post back.
do you have antibiotics on hand?

is she eating at all? you can check the crop to see if she is eating..or if there is an impaction..
if not..give the vitamins and give water by drops on beak.
here is a mixture you can try..

Feed the bird three times a day this mixture ..the amounts are for the 3 feeds for the day..give for 3-5 days or more.

1 cooked egg yolk
1 teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons plain yogurt….
3 to 4 tablespoons rolled oats…. To give substance to the feed, or use chicken crumbles or layer pellets but soften them with some boiling water first
2 to 4 table spoons of unsweetened or baby apple sauce

Mix to make a crumble mixture not runny

If the bird is not eating you will have to force feed... roll into small pellets the same size as a layer pellet.... and force feed, and then massage the neck in a downward motion to get it down into the crop, make sure your keep the neck straight, its really hard getting something down a neck that is bent or curved.
The bird may be too weak to eat or have lost the desire to eat…. Don’t hold back…. The longer it goes without this the worse it will get

If you must give it something to drink – only give drops onto the beak or use the crop tube to get fluids down the throat, don’t try and pour any fluid down a chickens throat, it will more than likely go into the air passage and into the lungs and end up drowning the bird

fingers crossed for the hen.
post back anything you find from questions/checks above.

 

[Godsgrl]

That was a lot of information, sammi, thank you. I won't know until Monday if there is a vet around anywhere that will see her. Nothing locally, anyway.

This morning, hen looked like a bowling ball, so puffed up. She is just standing still. I have her separated, have since she got sick.

Droppings are green and somewhat soft. It is conceivable she could have fallen off the roost or something.

We have checked her vent, and found nothing unusual there.

Yes, I have Tylan and something that you put in the water, not sure what it is called right now.

I don't think she is eating, although she has food and water before her. I will try your recipe, thank you very much.

 

[sammi]

if her droppings are green..this can indicate excess bile from not eating..

this girl is in dire straights.
at this point, try the Tylan..is it Tylan 50 injectable?

does she have a fever?
she might need Baytril..from a vet..

did you check for heat or swelling in the "belly/vent" area?

have you checked the crop?
do you know how to check the crop?
this is important.