Lethargic pullet, egg in stool, not eating, me in PANIC - UPDATED

[Clove Girl]

Ok step 1
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Australorp. 9 months. 4ish lbs?
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Usually aloof hate people kinda bird. Today shes been laying around, happy to be coddeld, not eating, runny egg in first stool.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
This morning around 10am
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
None
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
None
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Same as my other 7. pellets in mornng, corn for brunch then off to the yard were they can free range.
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
first was runny with obvious egg in it. Not solid egg but just cracked. Second stool was perfectly normal.
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Came here and read about warm water bath. Set up warm water tub for her and massaged her belly and fluff for half an hour. She loved it but still doesn't peck, move around eat or drink.
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I would like t treat completely myself.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
No outward visable signs of damage.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Outside coop is off ground with dry leaves for bedding nice and deep. currently have her in warm bathroom where she is roosting on shower bar and staring at the wall.

I've read a bunch of the links here on egg periodontist but she didn't pass any hard clumps then her second stool was perfect, no egg or shell. soft round semi firm white and black marble perfect. (God I must be going crazy to admire a chicken poop so much).

I gave her a warm belly bath and she normally hates water with the burning passion of a thousand suns. She quitely stood in the water and soaked for an hour. She usually hates me and does not tolerate being handled but I massaged her for over 20 minutes and her head dropped like she was sleep threw most of it while she was in the warm water bath.

I'm certified for massage for people but have only heard about it for animals but she seemed to adore it.

I wrapped her up after she started panting a bit and held her while she dried and drank some cool water. Then she pooped clean.

Her crop feels empty, neck is thin and I haven't felt any peristalsis in the region. She rejected food and hasn't touched any water since then. She isn't moving much or sleeping but not acting weak. Just perched like a statue.

There is no swelling and her temperature after getting dry feels normal and consistent over her body. So I don't think there is any internal inflammation.

Could an egg just have broke inside of her without as a fluke? She I go with antibiotics just in case or avoid it until there is signs of inflammation? How long should I wait until I know she isn't eating and force feed her? Am I overreacting?

This is my first year with chickens and raised them all from lil chickies by my feet in their box in my home office. She's been an exceptional layer and between my 8 birds am still getting 6 daily without a light. I live in the city and sometimes kids pass through the alley and give them treats but never had a problem, mostly too cold now though and they are back in school.

I can't think of anything else to say, help please.

 

[LynneP]

She may have produced a softie. The fact that she stood in the bath quietly for you indicates that you targeted the right body part and the normal dropping is a very good sign. Hold off on the antibiotics for now, save them in case of signs of infection. So far it sounds like a purely physical symptom possibly with a nutritional cause.

At this time of year during and even after moult, a hen can have higher than average calcium and protein needs. Cooked eggs are very good for this, and calcium-rich greens. You can mix yogurt in her commercial feed too. If possible give free access to ground oyster shell even if it is in her feed. She is at the age when the medullary complex (pelvis and some leg bones) and both growing and providing calcium for egg-laying and some birds have extraordinary demands.

Is she eating now?

Your massage skills could make this hen very tame. I have a young queen who was grabbed by a predator, probably a coyote, and it damaged a vertebra between her should blades. I got some advice from my physiotherapist about massaging the muscles and ligaments that support the spine there and she is getting better, walking almost normally after paddling and walking high on her back feet. Your skills will be exceptionally useful with any animals in your care.

 

[Clove Girl]

She's still not eating but I drop fed her some pediasure, like pedialyte but with calcium and soy protien. I'll have to get more shell, thought they were beyond that but I guess with bugs going into hybernation they aren't getting enough.

Thank you very much for your reply!

 

[LynneP]

She's at the right age for softie problems, I'm afraid- may take a few days to get her sorted- keep a close eye!

 

[Clove Girl]

After all that I gave her 2 medicine droppers full of the pediasure then about 2 hours later she has 2 runny poops then ate like a mad woman conehead.

I had apples, corn with vitamin e oil, pellets with calcium and honey and mashed potatoes with the rest of the pediasure and I swear she ate half the platter. It would almost be enough to fill ME up. YAY!

Thank you for your help, very very much.

 

[LynneP]

I'm sp pleased to hear this. Watch her for softies, you'll probably know if she has demp vent feathers, the others may eat the egg. She sounds enthusiastic for now, so with a calcium boost and a hearty appetite, I'm guessing she will be fine.