Lethargic hen with dirty vent

[Debbie292d]

What is pulling down her wattles?

That is a way to get them to open their beak as that's the easiest way to get them to take the pill. Wattles are those little red or pink round flesh below her beak. If you have a different way to get her to open her beak, do that, but this works too.

 

[ProudRedneck]

It may be Egg Yolk Peritonitis unfortunately. I just lost one of my oldest hens to this about 2 weeks ago. She's not laying an egg because she's laying them internally with no shells. The eggs build up in the body cavity to the point it distends the abdomen area from the pressure build up. I was able to keep my hen going for almost three months but it was like a rollercoaster with weeks of being back to normal due to expelling some of the material and her body absorbing some, followed by a week and a half of not eating, not drinking, not walking anymore and me having to tube feed her to provide comfort until one of two outcomes occur. She either will pass away from too much buildup, infection, or she recoops enough for another month. Unfortunately the only cure is to prevent further egg ovulation. Apparently it's hard to find a Vet willing, in addition very costly. Good luck and my prayers are with you and your hen.

 

[Squawkers]

What is pulling down her wattles?

Not sure if there is more than one way to do it, but this is what I think of.