Margo is in Trouble

[ShanasCastle]

OK. Unfortunately, before seeing this post, I let her out of jail and they’re all free ranging across mine and my neighbors yard which is a little over an acre or so. She is standing under my neighbor’s tree looking pathetic. Her tail isn’t as low, but she’s drooping her head down. I thought if she was declining rapidly, I’d let her have some fresh air & feel like a regular hen. I will catch her in a little bit and repeat the soak. Thanks for the advice!
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Poor baby. Hope you can get her to turn around!! So, not looking forward to the adult hen Problem!!

 

[ShanasCastle]

Yes, please. I’m more curious than worried at this point, but am watching Margo closely for relapse. She is molting, which makes it a little tough to know how she’s feeling, but she still seems pretty good. She nestled down in my lap and crook of my arm last night, which is normal for her. I was surprised she did it while molting, though.
I have not started probiotic follow up and need to find that recommendation in the thread. I’m sure her little immune system can use all the help it can get. Thoughts on probiotic after antibiotic?

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My vet suggested using oil of oregano (organic essential oils) in their water. It's a natural antibiotic and boost their immunity with loads of other benefits. I spoke to a friend that has a flock of nearly 100 hens!! She said that her leghorn/Easter egger behaves like this when she molts. Says that she'd swear the hen was dying every tiet she molts. Hopefully, that's all that's going on. Hoping she feels better asap!!

 

[micstrachan]

My vet suggested using oil of oregano (organic essential oils) in their water. It's a natural antibiotic and boost their immunity with loads of other benefits. I spoke to a friend that has a flock of nearly 100 hens!! She said that her leghorn/Easter egger behaves like this when she molts. Says that she'd swear the hen was dying every tiet she molts. Hopefully, that's all that's going on. Hoping she feels better asap!!

Thanks!!! Aside from a somewhat brutal, uncomfortable molt, Margo is doing great. Really thought she was dying at one point. Bummer if I dosed her with antibiotics for nothing, but she was having yucky, slimy poops, so who knows. I will remember this next year!
@rebrascora, super impressed you figured out my flock was heading into molt. I see feathers from Buttercup, Cashew, Bridgette and a couple from Ruby, in addition to Margo. Didn’t realize it could start at the end of July and early August!

 

[MROO]

... my flock was heading into molt. I see feathers from Buttercup, Cashew, Bridgette and a couple from Ruby, in addition to Margo. Didn’t realize it could start at the end of July and early August!

Glad to hear that Margo's doing well, again. She had a lot of us worried and scratching our heads along with the two of you ... and it wasn't because of mites!
On the mass-molt, it's good to know that the entire flock goes into it at about the same time for others, not just my obnoxiously timed bunch. I've never had a full-fledged flock (pun intended!) before, just one or two chickens at a time, so I was worried when all of my boys shed their tails at the same time. They couldn't have chosen a more inopportune time, though. The Maryland State Fair starts in just over a week - and between the six Nankin roosters, we currently have just ONE tail feather! That one straggly specimen is proudly perched on the tail of DD's BIS County Fair winner. D'ya think the judge would notice?

 

[Kathy Golla]

If anyone has tried the oregano oil I would like to know how your hens tolerate it. I wonder what my spoiled picky hens would think about the taste. Knowing them they would mutiny.
Michelle I have a hen that is molting after being broody and you would think she was dying. Its been about three weeks now. I spoke to my vet today and he says each hen is different about how they respond to a molt. Some hens can act quite punky.

 

[micstrachan]

OMG, that’s too funny. Sorry, but it is!

 

[MROO]

OMG, that’s too funny. Sorry, but it is!

Yeah, we kinda thought so, too ... once the screaming stopped (turns out, that was from me. Go figure ... who would've guessed?)
I was really counting on State Fair to find a buyer for our single-comb Nankin roo. He's gorgeous (even now, with a three-inch tail!) but he's the only SC we have, so I can't breed him without compromising the rose combs.
The whole point of this chicken-raising exercise was to get the breed I grew up with back out in the limelight, in hopes that others will show an interest and help keep them around. That's REALLY hard to do when the little buggers don't cooperate!

 

[Broodygranny]

I think that vet rx has oil of oregano in in. My mom used that on chickens, goats, and anything else that wasn't acting like it felt good.

 

[micstrachan]

Hi everyone,
Margo has been better lately, aside from molting. However, today she seemed a little worse (tail down body language) and roosted in a lower spot than usual. I’m hoping she’s just feeling lousy still from molt, but will be keeping close watch.
IF Margo had had a bacterial infection and if she were to relapse, would this be the right time frame? She was first feeling horrible around July 15th and ended 14 days of antibiotics in early August (I don’t have the exact date right now, but right around August 1st.) I just want to be prepared in case she goes downhill. She’s lost weight during molt, I’m sure, as most of my girls do.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Thanks!!! Aside from a somewhat brutal, uncomfortable molt, Margo is doing great. Really thought she was dying at one point. Bummer if I dosed her with antibiotics for nothing, but she was having yucky, slimy poops, so who knows. I will remember this next year!
@rebrascora, super impressed you figured out my flock was heading into molt. I see feathers from Buttercup, Cashew, Bridgette and a couple from Ruby, in addition to Margo. Didn’t realize it could start at the end of July and early August!

My Brown Leghorn melts in August every year. Shes always first to start. Currently she looks dreadful and has no tail. I can say some of my girls clearly feel awful during molt. Refuse to leave the coop and separate themselves. If it weren't for the feather explosion I'd be worried. I still keep an eye on them but its generally the molt.

As far as the antibiotics go I'm not sure. I would think if it were relapse it would have been sooner.