Losing weight and not laying for 1 month

[suebee]

Sounds like an internal layer to me. Always fatal in my cases. The droopy tail and greenish poo are telltale signs. So sorry, hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[eggfire]

Thanks for the info, suebee. Not good news, of course, but if that's the case at least I would know. Does it matter that she used to lay beautifully and then just stopped??? Probably not...again, it just breaks my heart. I can't get her to eat anything I make, she justs pecks in the yard a tiny bit. Thanks again. Is there anything I can do to ease her pain? Aspirin in water?

 

[Miss Lydia]

did you ever hear from your vet? and you can give aspirin to chickens [baby] not sure of the dose though..
http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/solutions.html

 

[suebee]

I doubt she'd drink water with the baby aspirin but good link Lydia. Mine all laid eggs before this problem. I've had several, as Cyn says...it's just a bad, random fatal disorder for hens who get it. Mine would start out with listlessness, not eating, tucked in tail, penguin stance. Soon the greenish white slimy poo starts. Then the wasting away...losing weight rapidly. Some days they'd go out and peck around, some days stay in. I can't tell you when the "end" will be, but within a few weeks probably. Even if you offer her lot's of protein, vitamins, etc....she refuses to eat and drink. I'd just keep the food and water close, try the aspirin if you want, keep her comfortable. Mine all passed in the night when its dark and peaceful. So sorry.

 

[Miss Lydia]

me too

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
Not always. I have an internal layer right now whose abdomen is almost normal, never has ballooned up. Many do not. It's incurable, yes, unless you take her and have a hysterectomy done. Antibiotics won't help internal laying. It may kick out some infection, but won't dissolve all the masses of infection/egg material that are inside, if she is indeed an internal layer.

 

[eggfire]

You guys are so awesome for all the info! Sooo much to learn, so please be patient with the Padawan learner..... I have looked at some of the other forums on internal laying (many posts by speckled hen), so I have been doing my homework. My vet is a peach, but wasn't too helpful as far as my sick little yard bird. She did give me some more ideas, but honestly... I'm not keeping much hope. Got a few more contacts to call on, but I am definitely coming to the realization that this is probably a done deal. I am gonna try my best to keep her comfortable and will certainly not allow her bad days to out number the good. I'll keep all my helpers updated.... Thanks again! (BTW= She is chillin' in the kitchen and did enjoy a little wet oatmeal at least)

 

[speckledhen]

Unfortunately, I know more about internal laying than I ever wanted to know. Perhaps I should thank the hatchery responsible for that.

Actually, it's probably most hatcheries who breed "loosely" for type (that means the bird looks vaguely like the breed it's supposed to be) and not at all for longevity, so I don't mean to single one out-it's just all my hatchery birds who died of the same thing or who are dying of it now are from one hatchery. My breeder types have never had this, at least, not up to this point, though they could in the future. Hens are the only animals that get spontaneous ovarian tumors/cancers like human women do and that is why they are the subject of much research geared toward the treatment of that illness.


Vets just don't know much about chickens, generally. They will try stuff, at your expense of course, and won't always say they just don't know what to do or what is wrong, sadly. This is why chicken keepers are pretty much on their own with their flock and why we learn so much over the years. I daresay there are many old timers around here who have much more extensive knowledge than any veterinarian does.

 

[Resolution]

Really- just get her on the cranassure and leave it alone. She'll pull out in three to five days if she's going to make it but stop the guessing game. Cranassure GEL caps ( for people look in your pharmacy) and get on it already- dont forget to tuck walnut meats and grapes down her gullet too -this will insure she's got all the nutrients she needs-

 

[eggfire]

Cranassure gel caps. I'm on it....I will have it down her before the end of the night, assuming I can find them at CVS or Walgreen's... Walnuts - check, Grapes - check, Garlic - check. (You mentioned both grapes and garlic. Which do you prefer?) I will give it a go. I will do my best to get it down the hatch, though, she is getting rather "cranky" about what I've attemted to serve her. Thanks for the info. I'm gathering this is a cocktail that will supplement her lack of eating. What are your thoughts on what she is suffering from? Are you not in agreement as far as the internal laying? I'm still very new to this and don't know what I'm missing. Thanks again.