So today I went out to feed my ducks and chicken and usually they all come run and eat (They have seperate pens). When I went into the chicken coop i noticed Snuggles, the hen, just laying there with her eyes closed, arching her back, so I figured she was just laying a egg or sleeping. About 10 minutes later I came back and she wasn't moving. I brought her some feed and water but she didn't even notice. I watched her for a while and a couple times she would just arch her back like she was trying to lay an egg but usually they lay after or before they are feed. Meanwhile, the whole time, she had her eyes closed. I decided to pick her up and noticed she was very stiff in her back area. Then what really worried me was she had diarreha that had some blood in it! I know diarreha could mean she has internal problems. I tired to give her water but her head just fell into the water and her eyes slightly opened and I quickly lifted her head but after a couple seconds her eyes closed again. I decided to check her heartbeat and it very very faint. I'm not sure what to do and I don't want another of my birds the die (Just the other day a fox killed one of my ducks and bite the other one but luckly he is fine)! Please help!!!
Welcome to BYC. How old are your chickens? Bloody diarrhea can be from coccidiosis. Enteritis and capillaria worms can also cause blood in the stools. If your chickens are young and you see diarrhea, lethargy, poor appetite, puffing up or hunching over, then I would treat with Corid (amprollium, Ampromed, Amprol) for coccidiosis. It is a cattle medicine from feed stores in powder or liquid form to mix in the water. Dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid, or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water for 5 days. You can take in a sample of droppings to a vet to check for worms, coccidia, and bacteria. For capillary worms use SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer 1/4 ml per pound of weight for 5 straight days given orally. I would treat all birds for worms or coccidia. Sorry for your loss. Here is some reading: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html
Eggcessive, thanks for the info, it was very helpful and I will defently look into it! My chickens are 2 and a half years old. And I'm sorry if I confused you but she didn't die. I went into check in on her a couple minutes ago and she is pretty much in the same condition that she was earlier except she opened her eyes and eat a little. I still can't get her to drink any water so I'm starting to worry she might get dehygrated (sorry if that's spelled wrong). And could the cold weather be affecting her? I'm going to check with a veterinarian about the coccidiosis but I'm still wondering about the cold because it's been cold in PA for a while and her comb is turning purple on the top. I think she might getting frostbite I've had many groups of chickens over the years and there haven't been any problems. Again, thank you for the information and welcoming me to BYC.
I would bring her inside overnight if possible so that you can warm her up and try to get her to take some room temperature water. Feed some egg and try putting a small amount of food in a bowl with some water mixed in. Chickens love a small amount of buttermilk mixed into food or on some bread crumbs, and the probiotic properties help.
Thank you again! I will try to get her in tonight or tomorrow night and give her some of the things you said!
