New member, Helen

[rjohns39]

@EggSighted4Life can you take a look and offer some guidance?

 

[Hybridchucks]

Aw poor baby. she doesn't look happy at all

 

[HelenSpain]

Aw poor baby. she doesn't look happy at all

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Helen
Sorry about your losses. Posting in the ER forum will get you the quickest answer. Hope it works out for you.

 

[HelenSpain]

Not sure what else to do, she enjoyed having a cuddle in the sun!
Weather here keeps changing hot, cold very windy. They have a large run with a shelter. In the shelter are two kennels. They seem to like sleeping on top of a kennel in the shelter? Should I shut them in the kennel?

 

[rjohns39]

For now, if you can, bring her inside and get her warm and see if you can get her to drink. Do you have a vitamin supplement for her water, something like nutri-drench would be best.

 

[TwoCrows]

Thank you, I have taken a couple of photos will try & get them on here?

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I am sorry about your girl. This looks like internal laying to me. Unfortunately you can't stop the eggs from being deposited in the abdominal cavity. I had a hen last year, same thing. I had her put down. I am super sorry.

Keep her under a heat lamp so she's comfortable.

Good luck and give her all the lovin'.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Hello and welcome to BYC!! It’s so nice to have you join us.
I'm sorry it is under such circumstances.

This video may help with learning how to navigate this site.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask one of us.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

She doesn't want to eat or drink. Seemed more lively when I had sat with her in the sun awhile. I thought back in October she was really poorly, seems like she was just mounting. All feathers grown back beautifully & she was laying again up until last week

Hi Helen, welcome to BYC!

Sorry to your ladies is having troubles.

See if this link help you, it is very informative with pictures and everything....
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive.html

I agree that internal laying could be the issue. Which I haven't yet experienced, but is very common. If it were egg binding, the symptoms would likely be different and is deadly fairly fast. Cocci wouldn't explain that swollen vent/abdomen area.

I don't know if a fecal float from the vet could rule that out or not. But it could rule out other things like internal parasites like worms or cocci (cost me $18 US, though not open on Saturdays). Do you know how long the diarrhea has persisted? How has your weather been? What do you feed (protein and calcium %), including treats and supplement? Do you know why your previous birds passed and when was the last one?

Molting is VERY hard on the ladies. And it doesn't get easier with age! Though I would expect things illness try to take advantage earlier on in molt since recovery certainly isn't the hardest part. Her comb is bright red, which to me says laying.

Bare minimum I would offer electrolytes in the form of a sports drink, or use the recipe that follows...

2 cups warm water, 2 Tablespoons brown (preferred for micro nutrients) sugar, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and baking soda (also salt substitute if you have it, is potassium chloride and beneficial at 1/2 teaspoon). Stir and serve full strength.

If she absolutely will not drink then I drip a few drops just below the nostrils and when it roll around into their mouth the usual instinct is to gobble/swallow. I would do this every half hour or so depending on my schedule. Drinking is key because dehydration is going to kill faster than starvation.

You indicate she was happier when warmer. I would definitely try to make sure she is warm so her body doesn't have to spend that energy too. I might try to provide a scrambled egg.

All you can do is your best. Really hope she pulls through for you!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Also meant to say I would totally consider doing an Epsom salt soak for 15 minutes or so. I'm not sure, but I know they use it for egg binding, so maybe it will help her to relax and possibly alleviate some of the swelling.