Not sure it’s the right decision

[HilaryAkin]

Hey all,

I have a chicken, Ophelia, who has been acting ill for a month and a half. No signs of sickness (runny nose or eyes, cough etc) or mites (been checking all my chickens often and clean coop obsessively). She has her tail down, has a really pale comb, isn’t laying any eggs, sleeping almost all the time and starting to isolate herself. She is molting but her reaction seems to be extreme compared to my other heavily molting chickens. My husband thinks it would be humane to put her down but I can’t get over it’s just molting. I have added a couple pics. First is from a month ago, second is from today. Any ideas?! I don’t want her hurting but I don’t know what’s wrong!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Is she eating and drinking? Sometimes the molt is hard on them. If I'm going to lose any it generally is during the fall. It is a stressful time.

I've had some act like your hen. Most eventually get better. Some i find dead one day. Occasionally we cull if it appears they are suffering and not eating.

You can offer some higher protein treats like some cat food or scrambled eggs to see if it helps. Between the molt, shifting temperatures, and migrating birds bringing stuff in, fall cam be a hard time.

 

[StinkyAcres]

How does her crop feel? If she is eating does her crop empty in the morning?

 

[HilaryAkin]

Is she eating and drinking? Sometimes the molt is hard on them. If I'm going to lose any it generally is during the fall. It is a stressful time.

I've had some act like your hen. Most eventually get better. Some i find dead one day. Occasionally we cull if it appears they are sufferimg and not eating.

You can offer some higher protein treats like some cat food or scrambled to see if it helps. Between the molt, shifting temperatures, and migrating birds bringing stuff in, fall can be a hard time.

We are having a hard time even enticing her with mealworms but maybe I will see if she’ll eat some cat food or scrambled egg! She doesn’t seem to be eating much. Thanks!

 

[HilaryAkin]

How does her crop feel? If she is eating does her crop empty in the morning?

Her crop seems okay but she’s not eating much. I was originally worried about her being egg bound but can’t tell.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Her crop seems okay but she’s not eating much. I was originally worried about her being egg bound but can’t tell.

So no swollen belly? How does her poop look?

 

[HilaryAkin]

So no swollen belly? How does her poop look?

No swollen belly but her poop is watery, for sure

 

[HilaryAkin]

Update - she passed away today. I’m gutted. I loved my Ophelia and I hate I let her stay in pain too long

 

[Sally PB]

Fly high and free, lovely Ophelia.

Hugs for you, @HilaryAkin.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Whenever I have lost a hen, it has usually been during a molt or very extreme weather.