My 6 yr old hen has fatty liver

[Stockpilejoy]

Yes, the stress of trying to lay, especially if the cloaca has been reduced in size due to fatty deposits, can be the cause of a liver rupture. Unfortunately the fatty deposits can also lead to the oviduct and ovary becoming misaligned and internal laying occurring as a result. I would be quite surprised if your bird has not ovulated since she was a pullet, especially if you corrected her diet before liver disease started to show, so I would suspect that she is either filling up with egg yolks or perhaps she has some large ovarian cysts. If you can afford to take her back to the vets a further exam may shed light on the current problem which may or may not be connected. A lot could have changed between that initial diagnosis 5 years ago and now.

Wondering if possibly my Harriet has liver disease caused by other factors such as hormones more so than too many snacks, although it could be both. There again it could be the amount I gave to get them back into coop was too much for her system to handle. Odds are she probably snatched the other girls portion during that time since she was a bit of a bully. I've read several articles that some are more prone than others to get Fatty liver and it may be influenced by other factors and more frequently in high-producing birds that presumably are producing more estrogen from very active ovaries. It stated that fatty liver condition can be induced experimentally in layers and even male birds by administration of estrogen. She was an excellent layer from the start and after reviewing my chicken health notes she starting laying at 5 mos ....[mistakenly I put 6 mos on earlier post] She could have something else going on but since she doesn't appear to be in pain and is still eating with tail up, I will try and make her as comfortable as possible. At this time and due to her age my husband is not willing to approve a vet visit. If she does decline and appears to be suffering I will have vet put her to sleep peacefully.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I think your right. Genetics definitely could play a part not just in breeds but perhaps in Herrita herself. Eggs begin in the liver so a prolific layer would be at greater risk.
To be honest chickens have so many reproductive things that could go wrong. A lot of vets will say fatty liver disease because they see many cases in pet parrots...who usually don’t lay eggs and if they do it’s not on a scale anywhere near a chickens. Give me a vet who has his/her own chickens and you’ll see a difference in their approach.
*many moons ago I worked for one*
The truth of it is we never really know until a necropsy is done.
Enjoy her while you can. It’s never easy. Show her kindness in the end and your heart will find peace because you did exactly what is needed. Being responsible takes courage. Best wishes

 

[Stockpilejoy]

Thank you Miss Chick@dee! Today Harriet took a long dust bath in the run by herself. I shut the door so Hansel wouldn't come in. He kept bothering her trying to get her attention so I had to coax him out..Seems he likes the way she follows him around. Wish I had a tv screen showing their activity 24/7. It's so entertaining. Before I sign off for the evening I must mention how adorable your dog is in your profile pic. His sweet face reminds me of my little guy.

 

[rebrascora]

Eggs begin in the liver so a prolific layer would be at greater risk.

@MissChick@dee
Can you elaborate on the above statement please? I have not seen this referenced before and find it hard to comprehend from my knowledge of chicken anatomy. I am not saying you are wrong but just interested to learn .... or correct if it is misinformation.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Was talking about the livers ability to produce lipids. We all know eggs come from the ovary. Didn’t word it correctly.
The hepatic fatty acids in the production of eggs from the body as a whole. Many organs contribute to the hens body producing a egg. Without the systhesis of fatty lipids (which is what the liver does in this process) the hen stops laying. It’s part of the perfect storm that is fatty liver disease.
Having a large fat pad makes it difficult to pass a egg. Which is another issue. Your not the only one to ask. I should of explained it differently.
It’s not just the liver containg or being Fat it’s what it does to the function of the liver. Once it’s unhealthy its a domino effect. It impacts the whole bird. They stop laying or they begin to lay internally. Many issues
Is that better?

 

[Cragg Klefor]

This is all so informative, it just shows how much we can learn from each other through shared information.

@Stockpilejoy glad to hear Harriet enjoyed a nice dust bath

 

[Stockpilejoy]

This is all so informative, it just shows how much we can learn from each other through shared information.

@Stockpilejoy glad to hear Harriet enjoyed a nice dust bath

Yes. Wish I would've joined this site sooner. It is very informative.
I have learned the importance of supplements over the last several days and the importance of Vit E, Biotin, and Selenium as prevention and treatment for fatty liver disease. I picked up the Poultry Booster pellets Tuesday afternoon and gave them some. They loved it. I was surprised that Harriet seemed more energetic yesterday. I also noticed her bum looked so fluffy and clean for a change.
I went and picked up two 10mos old barred rocks Monday morning from a close by hen keeper. I suspect the Rooster I took in recently was his. I met him while I was searching for owner and at that time he was trying to give me more hens and another rooster. His plan is to get rid of both flocks and just raise Easter Eggers. His way of raising chickens is quite different than mine. He mainly feeds his two large flocks scratch and free ranges occasionally before dawn. Surprisingly all his hens appear very healthy. I watched him hold four hens upside down by their feet at one time. He's what I'd call a good ole country boy chicken keeper. He also used a large hole fishing net to gather up the girls. However, it did not appear to bother them. I have collected eggs from both girls each day so hoping that means they are happy in their new home. Only issue is they want to sleep on the run roost instead of the coop roost. It wouldn't be that much of a big deal but in run they are not protected from the wind. Thinking the drop board in coop is throwing them off since the previous owner did not have them. Last night I placed them up there for the second time so hoping they will catch on.

 

[Eggcessive]

The outside roost bar might need to be taken down temporarily, to get them to come in the coop before dark. Then in a couple of weeks you can put it back up. Or you could fix it to where it can be in place during daylight and down in late afternoon. Whenever I add new birds I usually leave them inside the coop 24/7 so they know that is where they sleep, then let them outside.

 

[Stockpilejoy]

The outside roost bar might need to be taken down temporarily, to get them to come in the coop before dark. Then in a couple of weeks you can put it back up. Or you could fix it to where it can be in place during daylight and down in late afternoon. Whenever I add new birds I usually leave them inside the coop 24/7 so they know that is where they sleep, then let them outside.

Thanks for your suggestion. If they don't go on their own tonight I will temporarily remove run roost. My coop is open on side that leads to run so I don't have option to leave them in coop portion unless I close it off somehow and closing it off might stress them since coop in that hen house is small and won't allow the others to see them through wire. Once they are fully introduced to my 2 other girls & rooster I'm hoping they can be put in my large coop and follow others to coop area roost at night.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Is the outside roost higher off the ground than the coop roost? They will try to roost as high off the ground as possible.