Lethargic but can’t identify cause

[Kerry Ellen]

Running out of ideas… thoughts on this hen? She’s a 3 yr old buff Orpington. Behavior has changed a lot in past 2-3 weeks. Lethargic and puffed up. Still eating a bit but not enthusiastically. Not moving around much. Pooping a little and it’s greener and smaller than normal. Vent is clean and looks good. She doesn’t feel swollen. No parasites that I can find. Crop seems fine. No eye or nostril discharge. Her breathing might be a little labored but it’s very minor if so. A few weeks back I noticed what I think were very tiny lash eggs attached to her poop. The size of corn kernel. I saw this maybe 3 times. Last May she had bumblefoot and I brought her in the house to treat for a few days. That was the last time she laid an egg and was very upset by the experience. She’s fed purina layer crumble and next to no snacks other than occasional mealworms or some greens. I’m giving Nutridrench and added poultry cell to communal water. No vets to treat in this area. Internal laying maybe with infection? Not sure where to go from here.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

A few weeks back I noticed what I think were very tiny lash eggs attached to her poop.

Photos of her and her poop?

Salpingitis would cause a decline, so if you are seeing lash material...
You can try treating with an antibiotic. Amoxicillin or Baytril can be purchased online.

Consider getting a fecal float to see if worms are part of the problem as well.

Here's some reading for you

https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/
https://the-chicken-chick.com/causes-of-lash-eggs-salpingitis-by/

 

[Kerry Ellen]

Photos of her and her poop?

Salpingitis would cause a decline, so if you are seeing lash material...
You can try treating with an antibiotic. Amoxicillin or Baytril can be purchased online.

Consider getting a fecal float to see if worms are part of the problem as well.

Here's some reading for you

https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/
https://the-chicken-chick.com/causes-of-lash-eggs-salpingitis-by/

Thanks for the suggestion. Just dropped off a sample for a fecal float. Will see about getting an antibiotic. Thanks for that tip.

I just checked on her and her bottom seems to be pulsating. Or maybe this is what labored breathing looks like. Her mouth is not open. I can’t imagine she’s egg bound after not laying for nearly a year and because she’s been acting like this for well over a week.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'd get some extra calcium into her. Calcium citrate with d3 is a good choice. Just pull down on the wattles and pop the pill into the beak. Let her swallow.

Calcium can help with contractions.

It's not uncommon for a hen to try to come into lay as the days get longer. If she has Salpingitis, she may be trying to pass some lash material or even possibly an egg.

 

[Kerry Ellen]

@Wyorp Rock just an update. Hen did not make it. She was looking bad this morning so I called around and found a vet that would see her. Oddly the vet said she had trichomosiasis and she noticed a plaque on her mouth. Anyway, she was weak and ended up having a heart attack. I’m so sad but I guess its better I know what it might have been and can try and prevent it in the others.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock just an update. Hen did not make it. She was looking bad this morning so I called around and found a vet that would see her. Oddly the vet said she had trichomosiasis and she noticed a plaque on her mouth. Anyway, she was weak and ended up having a heart attack. I’m so sad but I guess its better I know what it might have been and can try and prevent it in the others.

I'm sorry about your hen.

It's good the vet was able to see her. Had you noticed a bad odor on her breath, trouble eating and lesions inside the beak over the last week or so?

 

[Kerry Ellen]

I'm sorry about your hen.

It's good the vet was able to see her. Had you noticed a bad odor on her breath, trouble eating and lesions inside the beak over the last week or so?

Not at all. I was very surprised by the diagnosis. She didn’t seem to have any typical symptoms. Also I’m stumped as to how she would have got infected. Wild birds have zero access to their shelter. And their water and food is well concealed inside. I used nipple waterer and a treadle feeder. They don’t free range because of my neighbor bobcat. I’m feeling anxious about the others although they are showing no symptoms of whatever she had yet.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Not at all. I was very surprised by the diagnosis. She didn’t seem to have any typical symptoms. Also I’m stumped as to how she would have got infected. Wild birds have zero access to their shelter. And their water and food is well concealed inside. I used nipple waterer and a treadle feeder. They don’t free range because of my neighbor bobcat. I’m feeling anxious about the others although they are showing no symptoms of whatever she had yet.

Did the vet send off any cultures or make any suggestions that your flock needs treatment?

Plaque inside the beak could have been thrush or yeast infection due to a crop issue. I couldn't say if that's what the vet saw or not....
Canker from all the info and threads I've seen smells awful, you would have noticed.


If you are really really worried, then you could give the flock a monthly "maintenance" treatment of Acidified Copper Sulfate for 3 days each month. This is supposed to keep canker in check. Personally, I'd just monitor them, see if anyone starts to have some lesions inside the beak or any difficulty. If you notice, then get a swab or sample and have it tested through your state lab. IF it comes back a Canker, then treat.

 

[Kerry Ellen]

Did the vet send off any cultures or make any suggestions that your flock needs treatment?

Plaque inside the beak could have been thrush or yeast infection due to a crop issue. I couldn't say if that's what the vet saw or not....
Canker from all the info and threads I've seen smells awful, you would have noticed.


If you are really really worried, then you could give the flock a monthly "maintenance" treatment of Acidified Copper Sulfate for 3 days each month. This is supposed to keep canker in check. Personally, I'd just monitor them, see if anyone starts to have some lesions inside the beak or any difficulty. If you notice, then get a swab or sample and have it tested through your state lab. IF it comes back a Canker, then treat.

I’m so appreciative of your comments. My gut tells me it wasn’t canker. Honestly I wasn’t thinking clearly at the vet as she passed so suddenly that I didn’t think to ask for a culture. I’ll monitor for now. They just love when I look inside their mouth