Lethargic Sickly Hen Won't Eat on Her Own

[robinwiththechickens]

One of my hens, Sunny, has always been a delicate little thing. It seems like every other week she needs a little boost, like extra vitamins, or antibiotics for a few days, but she always perks up after a day or two. Not so this time. We've had her on antibiotics and have been tube feeding her for a week because she will not eat on her own. Am I ultimately going to lose her? Is there anything else I should be doing for her?

 

[realsis]

poor baby. what exactly are her symptoms? certain antibiotics are for certain things perhaps you had the wrong antibiotic? list ANY symptoms that you have noticed. anything unusual.? maybe we can help once we know ALL her symptoms. look listen to her breathing and feel for anything unusual. then post them maybe it will help. best wishes!

 

[robinwiththechickens]

There really aren't many symptoms to list. She is lethargic, she just sits around all day. She does not eat, drink, or move on her own. She does this for a day or two every couple weeks, until we force-feed her and give her some antibiotics and vitamins, but this time she hasn't perked back up. For the first couple days this time she was gasping for air, but not wheezing. Now she seems to be breathing fine, but she still refuses to eat or move on her own.

 

[casportpony]

Has she been de-wormed with something like fenbendazole (Safeguard/Panacur)?

 

[robinwiththechickens]

No, I haven't dewormed her lately. Should I?

 

[casportpony]

That's what I would do if she were mine. I use fenbendazole 10% (Safeguard/Panacur) on all of mine, you can find it at most feed stores in the cattle and horse section... Comes in liquid or paste. I'd also dust her for mites and lice. Per my avian vet, the fenbendazole dose I use is 50mg/kg (0.5ml of liquid or paste for every 2.2 pounds of body weight) and repeat in ten days.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

If you go to a feedstore, don't let them try to sell you Wazine, 'cause it only gets roundworms, insist on Safeguard or Panacur.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Fenbendazole info from Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook

 

[robinwiththechickens]

Thank you for the info! I'll stop by the feed store on my lunch break.

 

[robinwiththechickens]

We dewormed her two days ago, and she seemed perkier this morning. So much so that I decided to clean up her butt a little bit. I put her up on the edge of the bed and began wiping her bottom with a warm rag. Then all of a sudden she squawked, coughed, started gurgling and flailing and died.

I have NO idea what happened.