Lethargic hen with swollen abdomen

[SilkieBrush]

It's not Fowl Pox on the comb, it looks like fungal infection in the nooks/crannies of the comb. You may be able to pop those out like a zit, then apply some anti-fungal cream or just put the cream on the comb and see if the comb heals.

I Highly recommend that you thoroughly read the article on crop treatments linked below and follow it.

She needs to have access to water during waking hours as well as her normal food. Electrolytes are fine, but make Fresh Plain Water available too.

Does she have any lice or mites?

I'd work on hydration, get the Calcium into her and address the Crop Symptoms. Often a crop that is slow is due to an underlying condition. Since she has some bloat in the abdomen, likely it's reproductive, but it's hard to know.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Ok, thanks for the article, I'll definitely check it out in depth. Ive read it before since I dealt with sour crop before but it's definitely good to do a refresh.

She does have lice. I thought she didn't but I spent some time checking and saw one.

The bloat seems to have gone down a bit, but she has not been eating much and is loosing considerable amounts of energy.

A vet once told me a long time ago that I could give some hydrated dog kibble to my sick chickens as a source of protein, and I got her to eat some of that yesterday. Today I tried giving her some papaya since she's not eating her regular feed but she's not reacting to it.

If helpful, I can send a recent picture of her stool. Not much has changed but it's more clear and white now, and not much "substance" to it.

Im grateful for everyone's help.

Thanks.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok, thanks for the article, I'll definitely check it out in depth. Ive read it before since I dealt with sour crop before but it's definitely good to do a refresh.

She does have lice. I thought she didn't but I spent some time checking and saw one.

The bloat seems to have gone down a bit, but she has not been eating much and is loosing considerable amounts of energy.

A vet once told me a long time ago that I could give some hydrated dog kibble to my sick chickens as a source of protein, and I got her to eat some of that yesterday. Today I tried giving her some papaya since she's not eating her regular feed but she's not reacting to it.

If helpful, I can send a recent picture of her stool. Not much has changed but it's more clear and white now, and not much "substance" to it.

Im grateful for everyone's help.

Thanks.

I'd treat the lice with a Permethrin based poultry dust, put the dust in a sock and use that like a powder puff to dust her all over. Work the powder down through the feathers to the skin.

Try offering her a wet mash of her feed, bits of egg or sardine to see if you can entice her to eat.

Often they just don't feel well when they are having reproductive problems and go off food. You can try tidbits of other foods, but try to encourage them to take in some of their normal feed too.

 

[SilkieBrush]

I'd treat the lice with a Permethrin based poultry dust, put the dust in a sock and use that like a powder puff to dust her all over. Work the powder down through the feathers to the skin.

Try offering her a wet mash of her feed, bits of egg or sardine to see if you can entice her to eat.

Often they just don't feel well when they are having reproductive problems and go off food. You can try tidbits of other foods, but try to encourage them to take in some of their normal feed too.

Alright, I'll go check that out too.

She's not eating anything so Im force feeding her a bit of her normal feed by hydrating it and making it into little balls that are easier to administer to her.

Thanks

 

[SilkieBrush]

A swollen abdomen may be fluid (Ascites). Does the swelling feel tight like a drum?

When was her last egg?

I'd start her on extra Calcium for a few days to see if she's able to expel an egg or lash material. Give 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily for 3-5days.

Sometimes draining fluid can give them some measure of relief for a period of time, but it will not cure the underlying condition that is the cause of the fluid. Alternatively, you can try Aloe Detox to see if that makes a difference.

Her drinking a lot of water may point to the crop not emptying very well. This is not unusual if she's having some fluid in the abdomen and/or reproductive issues.

See that she's staying hydrated and encourage her eat. Check her crop and let us know what that's like. Look her over for lice/mites too.

Photos of her and her poop are always welcome.

I got the calcium supplement yesterday but didn't administer it because:

1)I was out all day so I sadly couldn't give her the time and care I would've loved to give her
2)its calcium carbonate

The supplements are 600 units of calcium carbonate with the D3

Should I still administer the 300 units even if she's a very small hen?
She's around the size bantam hen that's on the bigger side. Does the dose account for smaller hens too?