My chicken has been sick for weeks

[UrbanChookLand]

My 3 year old buff Plymouth Rock has been sick (listless, pale comb, sleeping a lot, not eating and black poop). We took her to the vet and in order to do a thorough check, they wanted to charge $3k!!! This is without treatment. They had a much cheaper option $650 for antibiotics, anti inflammatory, pain meds and gastrointestinal coating. They suspect it’s internal bleeding but they can’t be sure unless we shell out 3k . After giving her the meds for a week, she got her appetite back and seems to be feeling better but not . She’s able to move around but she still has black poop from internal bleeding. Any experience with this? This chicken is a fighter but I’m just so worried she won’t fully recover. She’s my favorite chook

 

[MysteryChicken]

Pictures of the bird, & poop?

What's her diet, treats included, & how often?

 

[UrbanChookLand]

She’s isolated from the other chicken for now. I’ve been giving her wet feed with yogurt. I haven’t been giving her treats since she’s been sick but I was giving them 40% veggies from my garden, 55% feed and 5% treats (cracked corn, meal worms, yogurt, bread, oats)

Pictures of the bird, & poop?

What's her diet, treats included, & how often?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Doesn't look like bloody poop. I've seen this in chickens who've eaten dirt.

Paleness can be due to anemia, which can have a few different causes. Cancer can cause anemia, same with internal bleeding, & iron deficiency.

 

[UrbanChookLand]

Doesn't look like bloody poop. I've seen this in chickens who've eaten dirt.

Paleness can be due to anemia, which can have a few different causes. Cancer can cause anemia, same with internal bleeding, & iron deficiency.

Thank you. The vet thinks it’s black poop bec the bleeding is on the upper digestive system. The vet does think she has anemia. She was broody for a few days before she got sick and didn’t want to eat. What can I give her for anemia and iron?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Thank you. The vet thinks it’s black poop bec the bleeding is on the upper digestive system. The vet does think she has anemia. She was broody for a few days before she got sick and didn’t want to eat. What can I give her for anemia and iron?

Iron rich foods, liver, Spinach, Broccoli are a few good choices.

 

[nuthatched]

Have you ever wormed her? Chicken feed needs to be atleast 90% of her diet. Cut back on the veggie and cut out the treats completely, corn, bread and oats are not great for chickens. What veggies?

 

[UrbanChookLand]

Have you ever wormed her? Chicken feed needs to be atleast 90% of her diet. Cut back on the veggie and cut out the treats completely, corn, bread and oats are not great for chickens. What veggies?

Yes I dewormed her 2 months ago before she got sick. Should I deworm her again?

I give them parsley, broccoli, oregano, tomatoes, chard and kale. It’s what I have constantly in the garden.

 

[nuthatched]

Yes I dewormed her 2 months ago before she got sick. Should I deworm her again?

I give them parsley, broccoli, oregano, tomatoes, chard and kale. It’s what I have constantly in the garden.

Cut out the broccoli, chard and kale, its not good for them, they have anti nutritional properties. Anything that is not their food is a treat, they don't get enough of their food. What type of food is their feed?

 

[UrbanChookLand]

Hello everyone. My chicken is still not doing well. She perked up after giving her antibiotics 3 weeks ago but just days after giving her the meds, she’s back to having a pale comb and wattles, sleeping a lot and not eating much although she still eats on her own. I want her desperately to be better but she could be in pain that she’s masking. When is it best to consider euthanasia? This is so difficult and devastating for me. I love her so much!