Moved my hen to "Hospice" Today... :(

[Taylor]

I have a cage that we call the hospital, and another one called "Hospice"we put them when they are about to die. I moved one of my RIR's to the chickie hospital earlier today due to a purple comb and eyes shut and droopy, and i give her antibiotics and wazine and some treats. then 4-5 hrs later she got much worse on me and she was having seijures and her butt was closed shut. so i put her over in the hospice care and taking very gently care of her and keeping her comfortable. she is almost 11 yrs old and she has been the sweetest thing ever.

Lets hope she makes a recovery! what could cause a swelled shut cloaca, purple comb, droopy, eyes shut and neon yellow droppings??? she was hatched back in 1999 and she's been to 3 different people's homes to live, then back to mine, i have had her for the past couple of years. man, the history she's lived through! amazing!!! suggestions???

 

[real_redhead]

So sorry, I hope she is doing better but man what a life especially for a chicken! Hope mine live that long!

 

[CMV]

I don't have any suggestions. I just wanted to say what a great job you are doing. I'm sorry she's ailing, but she's had a really good run...11 years? Wow.

I hope she either heals quickly or passes peacefully.

Good luck.

 

[Taylor]

I know I love her!!!! she's been a good one, still lays sometimes LOL! she's had a free-range lifestyle thats why she's lived so long.

 

[Taylor]

Here she is back in 2005, doing what she did best!

 

[new2chickens2011]

Wow, eleven years old! What a long and happy life she's had so far, and I hope it continues! Hoping she gets better.

 

[wholewheatchicken]

She is beautiful.

 

[ILOVELEGHORNS]

Blackhead Disease in Poults
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About Blackhead Disease [Histomoniasis]
Blackhead disease, or more correctly, histomoniasis, is primarily a disease of young turkeys. Chickens are more resistant to the effects of the infection but may act as carriers of the disease-causing organism. Histomoniasis is caused by a microscopic protozoan called Histomonas Meleagridis. The name blackhead is a poor descriptive term because the heads of the birds infected with this parasite are not dark. The protozoan causes considerable damage to the liver and ceca of infected turkeys, and the untreated birds usually die.

Histomoniasis can cause considerable losses in farm turkey flocks. It is a disease commonly seen in these birds at veterinary diagnostic labs in Alberta. It is less common in commercial turkeys because their rations contain low levels of histomoniasis preventing agents.

Life History of the Disease
Histomonas meleagridis is most often transmitted to turkeys in the eggs of a second parasite, the cecal worm, commonly found in both chickens and turkeys. The eggs of the cecal worm may remain infective in the soil for three years of longer and could transmit the blackhead-causing protozoan during this period.

H. meleagridis may also be transmitted by earthworms that accidentally eat the cecal worm eggs. The cecal worm larva released from the egg and the blackhead parasite within that larva may remain in the earthworm for a year of more. When chickens or turkeys eat infected earthworms, the cecal worm larvae containing the blackhead parasites are released and a blackhead infection may result.

Turkeys may acquire the blackhead organism directly from the droppings of infected birds. However, meleagridis found free in the droppings and not protected by a namatode egg die quickly, particularly during warm dry weather.

Signs
A decrease in feed consumption and loss of weight may be the first signs observed. Sick birds appear dull and depressed, and often stand by themselves with dropping trails, ruffled feathers, and a sleepy appearance. Sulphur colored yellow droppings may be observed. If birds are not treated, or if treatment is delayed, mortality may be very high. Birds dying of histomoniasis have characteristic enlarged livers with circular depressed areas and enlarged ceca containing a rather dry cheesy material (Figures 1 and 2). Recovered birds may show swollen hard and scarred livers at the time of slaughter.

Treatment
The drug Dimetridazole can be used in the drinking water or feed to control outbreaks oh histomoniasis. Other drugs occasionally are used for treatment but are better used as preventatives. Sick birds should be isolated from the main flock and treated separately. Dead birds should be burned or buried deeply. All equipment used by an infected flock should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Prevention and Control
The protozoa-causing blackhead may remain infective within the eggs of the cecal worms in the soil for nearly three years; therefore each flock of new turkeys should be raised on new uncontaminated ground. Young turkeys should never be reared near older turkeys or with chickens that may carry the infection. In addition to domestic chickens, various wild birds such as pheasant and grouse may serve as reservoirs of infection for domestic turkeys.

The periodic moving of feeders, waterers, and roosts will help prevent the local buildup of infective organisms. Good sanitation and litter management will help prevent transmission of the cecal worm as well as the blackhead organism. Many histiostats or preventative drugs are available and they are commonly included in commercial turkey rations. Because of the very serious nature of blackhead in turkeys, it is advisable to develop a regular program of preventative drug treatment.

Information prepared by:

Poultry Disease Section
Animal Health Division

 

[ILOVELEGHORNS]

Quote:
Chickens can get this disease as well. Especially if they have been in any highly stressful situations, lowering their immune systems.

 

[Ole rooster]

Why are you putting her through this. I had to put a dog down for humane reason. I don't see how chickens could be any different. It's just the "right" thing to do.