New hen not well. HELP

[Rerederara]

Hi All

one of our rescue hens (highline, 18 months) we got on tuesday seems off. She's been becoming more and more lethargic, sitting/lying down, eyes closed, vent pulsating as if she is straining. Could not feel 'egg shape' when examining her belly. I also wasn't sure if she was laying so gave her Epsom salt soak and kept her indoors. She did a massive normal looking poo and laid an egg this morning. As she seemed perkier I let her roam a little in the garden. Later on I noticed her lying down in the rain and looking not so well again so soaked her in Epsom salts again, she promptly pooped in the water. I have trying to see if she eats/drinks but I am not sure - she's in the house again, lying down and with eyes closed/drooping. She also seems to be breathing heavily compared to other hens.

She came from an organic, free range farm and her and the others seem to be molting - the other 3 hens from same farm not displaying any symptoms.

She was the most active and bold hen out of the 4 and she is definitely my favourite. Please help.

 

[azygous]

Are you in the southern hemisphere where it's fall now? If not, yearly molt is a bit unlikely. The feather loss may be due to another issue such as parasites. Give her a good looking over.

From how you describe her behavior before and after she laid the recent egg, she may have a second, shell-less egg in the chute. These are impossible to detect except for the behavior, and there may be a watery discharge from her vent.

The best way to deal with this is to put her in a quiet place, give her a calcium tablet, (a whole people calcium tablet) and leave her be to pass the egg. This could go into another day, and if so, give another calcium tablet.

It's not uncommon for a hen to once in a while to produce two eggs within the same 25 hour cycle. This is very hard on the hen and she feels lousy until both eggs pass. Then she'll be fine again.

 

[Rerederara]

Are you in the southern hemisphere where it's fall now? If not, yearly molt is a bit unlikely. The feather loss may be due to another issue such as parasites. Give her a good looking over.

From how you describe her behavior before and after she laid the recent egg, she may have a second, shell-less egg in the chute. These are impossible to detect except for the behavior, and there may be a watery discharge from her vent.

The best way to deal with this is to put her in a quiet place, give her a calcium tablet, (a whole people calcium tablet) and leave her be to pass the egg. This could go into another day, and if so, give another calcium tablet.

It's not uncommon for a hen to once in a while to produce two eggs within the same 25 hour cycle. This is very hard on the hen and she feels lousy until both eggs pass. Then she'll be fine again.

Thanks for your advise. I wasn't able to get calcium tabs before weekend but have been feeding her yogurt and eggshells which she gobbles up. She's done an egg every day, although belly still squishy and she seems to constantly be straining her vent. Will try and get the calcium on Monday. Thanks again!

 

[Rerederara]

Are you in the southern hemisphere where it's fall now? If not, yearly molt is a bit unlikely. The feather loss may be due to another issue such as parasites. Give her a good looking over.

From how you describe her behavior before and after she laid the recent egg, she may have a second, shell-less egg in the chute. These are impossible to detect except for the behavior, and there may be a watery discharge from her vent.

The best way to deal with this is to put her in a quiet place, give her a calcium tablet, (a whole people calcium tablet) and leave her be to pass the egg. This could go into another day, and if so, give another calcium tablet.

It's not uncommon for a hen to once in a while to produce two eggs within the same 25 hour cycle. This is very hard on the hen and she feels lousy until both eggs pass. Then she'll be fine again.

I live in Scotland and it's late spring here now...she has black dots where her feathers are missing.. looks like growing feathers? I have been giving her cider vinegar and she's had a couple of powder baths...any other ideas re what I could do re parasites bar taking her to the vets?

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is the OP’s other thread:https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/laid-egg-pooped-hen-still-lethargic.1378122/

 

[Rerederara]

I did not give her an epsom salt bath today and as of 1pm she hasn't laid anything but is straining...