I have 7 hens that where hatched March 13, 2017 that I inherited from my neighbors when they moved in July and could not move the chickens with them. Since I have been doing everything I can to learn how to care and take care of my small flock. I originally had 8 but lost one about 6 weeks ago to multiple issues that I just did not understand what was going on, now that I have read a lot more I believe she either had a respiratory infection or gape worm because of way she acted, then she ended up getting a prolapse vent and had a bad case of vent gleet. I tried hard to treat her myself but ended up losing her and I was crushed. Well now I have another hen that is having some issues.
I first noticed symptoms on Monday 10/23, my hen Sadie a 7 month old Buff Orpington. Of my 7 hens she is the one that always played the rooster role, she was always the first out of the hen house in the morning and on Monday she wasn't, when I opened the run to let them out into the yard to free range she really did not move much and did not display any interest. I kept an eye on her during the day and noticed she was not running around like normal she was just laying or standing in a single spot for hours and not eating much. I called the vet then isolated her is a small coop in my garage. I dropped off a poop sample at the vets Monday evening and had an appointment yesterday. I had noticed also that the hen had some beak gaping. I did some research and thought may she had Coccidiosis, the symptoms seemed to match. I had an appointment at the vets yesterday 10/24 and the float test showed negative for worms or cocidiosis. The only thing she could really notice with the exam that gave her any concern at the time was the beak gaping that I had already noticed a bit. She asked if I dewormed the chickens which I had not, again I am very new to this and wasn't sure that was necessary. With the beak gaping she was concerned even though no clear signs of possible gape worm.
She did eat and drink really well Monday evening after I got her isolated but did not eat hardly anything yesterday and only peck a little today so far. Her poop has not been normal, I am including a picture I took this morning.
What I have done so far is added some DURVET Poultry Vitamins & Electrolytes to her water, also added Sav-A-Chick Probiotic to her food. I am feeding Scratch and Peck NATURALLY FREE ORGANIC LAYER Feed, and she has both some dry and fermented to choose from. She also has some sprouted peas, wheat, barley, and oats to choose from along with some plain greek yogurt. She seems a little more alert today but I am still concerned and would like some feedback.
I first noticed symptoms on Monday 10/23, my hen Sadie a 7 month old Buff Orpington. Of my 7 hens she is the one that always played the rooster role, she was always the first out of the hen house in the morning and on Monday she wasn't, when I opened the run to let them out into the yard to free range she really did not move much and did not display any interest. I kept an eye on her during the day and noticed she was not running around like normal she was just laying or standing in a single spot for hours and not eating much. I called the vet then isolated her is a small coop in my garage. I dropped off a poop sample at the vets Monday evening and had an appointment yesterday. I had noticed also that the hen had some beak gaping. I did some research and thought may she had Coccidiosis, the symptoms seemed to match. I had an appointment at the vets yesterday 10/24 and the float test showed negative for worms or cocidiosis. The only thing she could really notice with the exam that gave her any concern at the time was the beak gaping that I had already noticed a bit. She asked if I dewormed the chickens which I had not, again I am very new to this and wasn't sure that was necessary. With the beak gaping she was concerned even though no clear signs of possible gape worm.
She did eat and drink really well Monday evening after I got her isolated but did not eat hardly anything yesterday and only peck a little today so far. Her poop has not been normal, I am including a picture I took this morning.
What I have done so far is added some DURVET Poultry Vitamins & Electrolytes to her water, also added Sav-A-Chick Probiotic to her food. I am feeding Scratch and Peck NATURALLY FREE ORGANIC LAYER Feed, and she has both some dry and fermented to choose from. She also has some sprouted peas, wheat, barley, and oats to choose from along with some plain greek yogurt. She seems a little more alert today but I am still concerned and would like some feedback.
