Lethargic Chicken HELP!

[Chickelita]

My chicken isn not moving just laying down in the corner of the run.. Does not move when approached not to keen on water... She is an active chicken so this is a major concern.

Picked her up and took her out of the garden she just had a bit of a wonder and then returned to the same spot. Its been super hot yesterday and today is going to be an other 37 degree day.

She has not laid eggs for over 3 moths.. tried the different treatments incase she was egg bound but nothing helped.. Her bum looks more red and swollen round the vent then usual she has a bit of a bald patch so its easy to see.. Im not sure what to do.. Ive heard that in emergencies you could give them gatorade or another electrolyte drink could she be dehydrated because of the heat.?

Please help!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

37 is hot for chickens but if they have enough shade they should be able to handle that. I lost a hen a few years ago when highs stayed above 37 and even got up to 45 a few days.
Is there plenty of high shade? You can provide foot baths with cool water.

 

[Notaneggspurt]

Hydration is important. I'm guessing the time difference for AU it's getting near morning for you? Did she make it through the night ok? Yes, Gatorade for electrolyes cab work. The red around her vent and not laying in summer makes me think there's more issues at hand. For now can you post any updates?

 

[Chickelita]

Hydration is important. I'm guessing the time difference for AU it's getting near morning for you? Did she make it through the night ok? Yes, Gatorade for electrolyes cab work. The red around her vent and not laying in summer makes me think there's more issues at hand. For now can you post any updates?

She is just laying down falling a sleep, gave her gatorade through a syringe and water.. She was drinking most of it. She got up for a little while half hour after i gave her the drink had some water and then went back to the shade... When she is falling a sleep water drips out from her beak. when she was up she pooped and it was loose and green...

She is an Australop mixed with leghorn and only about 1.5 years... I'm sitting with her and she is breathing but can nearly hold her head up at times...

Thank you for talking time to help

 

[Chickelita]

37 is hot for chickens but if they have enough shade they should be able to handle that. I lost a hen a few years ago when highs stayed above 37 and even got up to 45 a few days.
Is there plenty of high shade? You can provide foot baths with cool water.

Have lots of shade.. and heaps of water out for them.. Should try the foot bath.. But noticed that her poop is great and really runny so now i think there might be an other issue on top of the heat... We have already lost 2 in the space of 3 months.. its heart breaking to loose another.

Thank you for taking time to answer

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She has not laid eggs for over 3 moths

Her bum looks more red and swollen round the vent then usual she has a bit of a bald patch so its easy to see

She is just laying down falling a sleep

Can you post some photos of your hen - whole body, her vent and the poop?

It's good that you are trying to keep her hydrated. If she has not eaten much in a day, can you tell us what her crop feels like?

Your mention of the vent looking red and swollen - is that underneath the vent? What does the swelling feel like - hard, soft, fluid filled?
Not laying eggs in 3 months and having swelling around the vent makes me think she is having some reproductive problems. Have you checked to make sure there is not an egg stuck? (inserted a finger inside the vent)

Your temperatures are not helping I'm sure, if you have a slightly cooler place you can put her that would be good too.

 

[Chickelita]

Can you post some photos of your hen - whole body, her vent and the poop?

It's good that you are trying to keep her hydrated. If she has not eaten much in a day, can you tell us what her crop feels like?

Your mention of the vent looking red and swollen - is that underneath the vent? What does the swelling feel like - hard, soft, fluid filled?
Not laying eggs in 3 months and having swelling around the vent makes me think she is having some reproductive problems. Have you checked to make sure there is not an egg stuck? (inserted a finger inside the vent)

Your temperatures are not helping I'm sure, if you have a slightly cooler place you can put her that would be good too.

She is swollen under the vent.. its bit hard and squishy at the same time. Have not checked if an egg is stuck with my finger... Ive felt around her abdomen many times and it feels normal. Picture 1 is poop 2 Blanca 3-5 her swollen bum under vent. Her crop feels ok comparing it to the other hens...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is swollen under the vent.. its bit hard and squishy at the same time. Have not checked if an egg is stuck with my finger... Ive felt around her abdomen many times and it feels normal. Picture 1 is poop 2 Blanca 3-5 her swollen bum under vent. Her crop feels ok comparing it to the other hens...

Her position in the photo below, makes me think she is having some reproductive problems. Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Internal Laying, cancer, tumors and salpingitis can be common in laying hens. I would still check her just to make sure there is not an egg in there - glove up, lubricate and insert a finger about 1-2" inside the vent.

Check to see if the crop is emptying. If you have a vet that can perform a fecal float to rule out worms that would be good too.
Sometimes an antibiotic may help with infection - ask your vet what they advise.
Sadly, if it is a reproductive problem, there is usually not a lot that can be done but to keep them comfortable. If you happen to lose her, a necropsy will give you some answers.
https://poultrykeeper.com/reproductive-system-problems/

 

[Chickelita]

Her position in the photo below, makes me think she is having some reproductive problems. Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Internal Laying, cancer, tumors and salpingitis can be common in laying hens. I would still check her just to make sure there is not an egg in there - glove up, lubricate and insert a finger about 1-2" inside the vent.

Check to see if the crop is emptying. If you have a vet that can perform a fecal float to rule out worms that would be good too.
Sometimes an antibiotic may help with infection - ask your vet what they advise.
Sadly, if it is a reproductive problem, there is usually not a lot that can be done but to keep them comfortable. If you happen to lose her, a necropsy will give you some answers.
https://poultrykeeper.com/reproductive-system-problems/
View attachment 1653550

This is so sad but i hope that you might be able to shed some light.

I went and gently put a finger up to check her vent and she started to poo greenish loose poo, a lot came out in a matter of seconds then her neck bent backwards eyes wide open and went into a 5 second seizure and then passed away We were thinking of doing an autopsy ourselves but its to hard and emotional so we just finished burying her.

Now sitting here thinking theres a few more things that should be mentioned incase someone else has the same problem like us and you might have the answers.

When we got her she laid eggs as normal.. a happy lady (she has always been a happy chook though) Then the egg laying started to drop however she is the only chicken that would drop eggs at night..easy to tell her egg is white...2-3 eggs a week at night straight on the coop floor. Then the egg laying started to be more and more absent. She stopped laying about 3 months ago possible longer... not to sure about the exact date. She always goes into the nesting box though everyday laying there for double or triple the time compared to the others. We did the whole epsomsalt bath massage and isolation a few times but no egg came so we just thought she must be a bit special.. We will miss our first chicken Blanca...

Thank you again for taking time to help

 

[Notaneggspurt]