My Serama hen is ill. I'd appreciate guidance.

[SulkyBantam]

Thank you @Eggcessive

 

[LaFleche]

Just came back in from cleaning the coops. Like @Wyorp Rock already stated, we are not glued to the screens 24/7 and quite busy getting everything ready for Christmas.

What about her temperature, does she feel rather hot or cold? I keep asking you this because it might give us a hint at whether she might be suffering from a virus or rather other internal issues like reproductive problems or cancer.

Hopefully she will make it until your vet appointment and gets some help tomorrow.

 

[SulkyBantam]

She seems a normal temp, same as the other hen. I only have one thermometer and can't be sticking it up her vent I'm afraid, but by touch there's nothing abnormally hot or cold, apart from her feet, which never seem to warm up.

 

[TwoCrows]

Let us know what the vet has to say. Sorry that she is sick, but a dark comb could be due to dehydration, heart failure, or she could be suffering from ascites or reproductive problems. Very hard to know which, but getting her to drink and eating some feed mixed with water would be good.

@Sulky Bantam I completely agree with Eggcessive here, your bird is no doubt suffering from any of these. Heart disease is more common than we think, ascites for any reason whether it be heart related or internal laying/infections will definitely cause a dark comb. Dark combs generally mean low blood pressure or lack of blood oxygen in the body. Keep us posted on what the Vet has to say!

 

[SulkyBantam]

Ok, thank you! I want to give her electrolytes, how much? For a person it's 1 sachet per 200ml.

 

[TwoCrows]

Ok, thank you! I want to give her electrolytes, how much? For a person it's 1 sachet per 200ml.

Mix it up as you would for a human and drizzle a few drops with an eye dropper at the side of her mouth. Once an hour might help.

 

[Fallenone05]

You posted a while ago about a lash egg, right? Was the lash egg found in your bantam pen? We and a few others on your lash egg post tried to get more info from you regarding the appearance of the lash egg and the health of your hen, and you stated that she wasn't acting sick.

Is this from the same pen as the lash egg was found?

 

[SulkyBantam]

Mix it up as you would for a human and drizzle a few drops with an eye dropper at the side of her mouth. Once an hour might help.

Thanks!

 

[SulkyBantam]

You posted a while ago about a lash egg, right? Was the lash egg found in your bantam pen? We and a few others on your lash egg post tried to get more info from you regarding the appearance of the lash egg and the health of your hen, and you stated that she wasn't acting sick.

Is this from the same pen as the lash egg was found?

No, that was bigger chickens. Our (LF) layers have no more glitches so that will remain a mystery. Thanks for replying.

 

[SulkyBantam]

I'm afraid the sweet little thing didn't make it back.

The vet said it was a lung sac infection, then injected her, but she suddenly rasped and thrashed about and died.

Thanks for all the advice and support.

If anyone is in this situation, be aware it's a lung problem (similar to pneumonia) and try to treat it early.

The poor little surviving hen is traumatised having watched her bestie die and is now all alone. I'm hoping to get her a little roo friend soon.