Lethargic Peking hen

[peking150]

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I am concerned about my 1 year old peking hen.

Saturday and Sunday = completely normal behavior but no egg. Since she started laying she has never ‘missed’ two days in a row (during the previous week she had laid an egg without a hard shell during the day - this is highly unusual for her).

Monday = She laid an egg. For the full day she was very lethargic. Rather than racing out to get her food and water in the morning, she was just sat down, refusing to move - the first time that it’s happened since she hatched (just over a year ago).
During the day, if she wasn’t sitting down, she was standing still for long stretches, looking withdrawn. Overall, there was very little movement throughout the day and she didn’t eat/forage anywhere near what she normally would. She was very frightened of humans and it was a wrestling match to get her into a makeshift bath of lukewarm water (as per recommendation). Having felt her abdomen, it wasn’t hard - it was soft to the touch.
Her droppings were mainly a thick white-ish liquid but with not eating much, it turned largely clear liquid throughout the day.

Today = no egg. She made a bit more of a positive start as she came out of her bed and walked about a bit, foraging in the grass. She still isn’t eating much and as the day is progressing, she is reverting back to a bit of lethargy with the occasional bout of activity. Her abdomen is still soft. Most of her droppings have some form of solid parts to them.

Apart from a vet, if anyone could recommend anything, please do. It would be much appreciated!

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. Do you have a way to weigh her? It's a good idea to weigh them to check for weight loss.

I wonder if she has a soft-shelled egg that she's trying to pass? Do you have any calcium pills or liquid?

 

[peking150]

Welcome to BYC. Do you have a way to weigh her? It's a good idea to weigh them to check for weight loss.

I wonder if she has a soft-shelled egg that she's trying to pass? Do you have any calcium pills or liquid?

Thank you @casportpony. I hope you're well.

Weight-wise, I weighed her 3 weeks ago - she was 5lbs (2.2kg). Having just wrestled with her and done it now, she is now 5.2lbs (2.35 kg) - although as I always kid myself, with scales who know how much someone really weighs!

With regards to calcium, she does have supply of oyster shell grit, but, just like her food, is choosing not to interact with it.
I have just ordered some calcium gluconate powder - I am aware of the potential long-term issues if too much is administered, etc. But, the intention was to sprinkle some into her water tomorrow.

 

[casportpony]

Thank you @casportpony. I hope you're well.

Weight-wise, I weighed her 3 weeks ago - she was 5lbs (2.2kg). Having just wrestled with her and done it now, she is now 5.2lbs (2.35 kg) - although as I always kid myself, with scales who know how much someone really weighs!

With regards to calcium, she does have supply of oyster shell grit, but, just like her food, is choosing not to interact with it.
I have just ordered some calcium gluconate powder - I am aware of the potential long-term issues if too much is administered, etc. But, the intention was to sprinkle some into her water tomorrow.

Can you go to a pharmacy/grocery store and get some calcium citrate tablets? If she were my duck, I would give her a calcium pill orally.

 

[peking150]

Can you go to a pharmacy/grocery store and get some calcium citrate tablets? If she were my duck, I would give her a calcium pill orally.

Maybe a stupid question, but would this be a tablet for human consumption, or a specialized version?

 

[casportpony]

Maybe a stupid question, but would this be a tablet for human consumption, or a specialized version?

It's a great question! When I don't have liquid calcium gluconate, I give human tablets orally.

 

[peking150]

It's a great question! When I don't have liquid calcium gluconate, I give human tablets orally.

Thanks!

What dosage do you give? I've just been reading contradicting ideas.

 

[ruthhope]

Maybe a stupid question, but would this be a tablet for human consumption, or a specialized version?

Just as a FYI, we use a lot of human and other than fowl livestock medicines for ducks. You can never be wrong using a human preparation as long as you use the correct dose. This is because human medications are made to exacting quality standards.

Veterinary medicines for livestock may be given to other livestock by injection but we give orally to ducks. Be sure to check on how to use a Veterinary medicine by adding in this group. I can't think of any injections that we give as injections to ducks.

There is a website that offers a limited range of medications for birds: allbirdproducts.com. this website is worth knowing about if you dont have access to a vet, as it offers 2 different oral antibiotics

Good luck with your girl. We have got members who have had a femsle duck with quite severe reproductive system problems. I hope you girl responds to calcium and that they do not reoccurring as she gets older. But should issues persist, I expect they will give you good peer support on this site.

One tip is to keep a ducky first aid kit. I woukd have liquid calcium glucose in it so that you can give the dose directly into her bill down the side of her tongue should symptoms reoccur.