Molting and starving

[Matzwd]

Is it possible she picked up something & it's lodged in her throat?

Nothing that we can see in her throat. She's been mostly in a crate for a couple of weeks.

Did you try soaking the cat food?

I realized when you asked that I bought the wrong thing, canned cat food.

Try giving her Nutri Drench straight (couple drops), applesauce, raw egg yolk

Tried to give some nutri-drench straight this morning. I think I got a drop or two in her. Have some raw egg yolk in with her. So far, not interested. I did dip her beak in the egg yolk a few times.

I would re-check that crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks.

Still completely empty. She's so thin.

Encourage her to eat her normal feed - the flock raiser/feather fixer.

That's my goal, as it was the ONLY thing I could get her to eat prior to this, even over treats. I'm trying it wet, soupy, dry, etc. No go.

s she still lethargic?

Moreso this morning, zero nutrients. She drank a little water last night, none so far this morning. Two very scant water poops overnight.

I'm afraid she's not going to make it. It took all she had to fight ne on the nutri-drench this morning. She was lying in my lap out of energy. I should add that she is one of my first chickens, and I've wondered about whether a faverolle's comb stays pretty pale. Hers has never brightened up and had always been pale pink. This is the darkest it's ever gotten, in the pics bellow. Is that typical? She's almost nine months old. She was laying before molt. Her new feathers are coming in beautifully.

 

[Matzwd]

Neck lump! I feel awful for not realizing. She has very hard lump a little to the left midway down her neck. I thought I had been feeling her neck bone since she's so thin. I doubted myself and picked up one of my healthy girls this morning. I believe now it's abnormal. Please help with any suggestions. Antibiotic in order?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is she molting? You see new pen feathers coming in?

That hunched up appearance, I would treat her for Coccidiosis, but I'm thinking she has a reproductive problem going on as well. Just a guess on my part. If you can take some samples of poop to your vet for testing, they can check for an overload.

Have you by chance felt her lower abdomen between the legs? What does that feel like?

 

[Matzwd]

If you can take some samples of poop to your vet for testing

There is nothing of substance at this point to take in. I do realize now she has a very hard irregular shaped module in her neck, a little to her left side about midway down. It's been there for awhile, but I just now realize after checking other chicken necks that it's not normal.

Is she molting? You see new pen feathers coming in?

Definitely molting and growing new feathers. I'm now wondering if illness caused an early molt for her. I have a call in to a vet to see if the lump is likely infection or something else. She's knocking on death's door, very weak. I don't want to stress her by over handling her off its likely to do no good.

 

[rebrascora]

Neck lump! I feel awful for not realizing. She has very hard lump a little to the left midway down her neck. I thought I had been feeling her neck bone since she's so thin.

I think you probably are feeling her neck bone/spine but I think it may be contorted into an S shape which I have seen happen in some birds with Marek's Disease. I have not had any recover from that symptom. I hope a vet is able to offer some other diagnosis and treatment plan but I personally would be considering ending her suffering. If a bird will no longer eat and had lost a lot of weight it is very difficult to recover them even if the source of the problem is treatable.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Not sure what the knot would be on the neck, could it be bones or part of her neck since she is so drawn up?
I would go ahead and treat her for Coccidiosis, at this point it won't hurt. Corid (Amprolium) is very mild to begin with and is not harmful to chickens anyway.

Corid dosage is 1 1/2 teaspoons Corid powder or 2 teaspoons of 9.6% Corid liquid per gallon of water. Give for 5-7 days.

Poor girl, I agree with you she is in rough shape. Since she did lay eggs and has stopped, molted at such a young age, I would lean toward this being a reproductive problem.
So sorry

If you do lose her, refrigerate the body and send it to your state lab for testing. This will give you definitive information as to the cause of her decline http://vmdl.missouri.edu/
Alternatively, if you can perform an informal necropsy yourself, look in the abdomen, at the internal organs, etc. Take photos as you go and post them, we may be able to help you spot something.

 

[Matzwd]

I have spoken to a local vet about necropsy, and they do them. I just wonder if they would be as thorough as a state lab.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have spoken to a local vet about necropsy, and they do them. I just wonder if they would be as thorough as a state lab.

I doubt it. This is what your state lab does. Even if you need to ship the body, the lab should have labels you can print for shipping. Likely the lab is going to be cheaper than a vet as well. Give them a call and find out.

 

[rebrascora]

Private veterinary practices are usually more expensive and less knowledgeable about poultry than state diagnostics labs which are often subsidised because chickens are considered part of the food chain and have more poultry experience and equipment to do testing.

 

[rebrascora]

From their web page....
Gross Necropsy Only Fee $20.00 which is a very reasonable price.
This would be a basic examination. Any additional testing would be extra depending on what they felt was appropriate to test for from what they found in the gross examination. Additional testing should be authorised with you before being undertaken so that you don't end up with a larger bill than expected. The facility is in Jefferson city.