Not sure what's going on here...

[eastbaychicks]

So after having to cull a little birdie, I'm at it again this week. Another seemingly early signs of a sick chicken. Different signs of course from the other birdie (I think she had a broken hip that was infected), but I'm concerned.

Here is a picture of her diarrhea.

Her abdomen seems a little puffy but not a lot, she is panting like it's hot.
Her breath isn't sour smelling but she's laying down, and not eating a whole lot but she's eating.
Her crop is about 1/4 the size it normally is so her appetite is very reduced.
She has milk and egg whites to eat, which she took a few pecks at if I hand fed her.
She also feels very hot to the touch all over. She is walking around outside and pecking at bugs and things but seems to be moving slowly, and taking lots of rests.
Not sure what is going on. I have done a lot of searches, but nothing seemed to pop out.

Ok to review here are the Sx:
Bloated
Panting
Hot to touch
Diarrhea, also very gassy sounding when I gently squeezed to feel for an egg in her abdomen (no egg)
Small amount of wheezing but sounds more like a fizzy can of soda in her throat
Reduced appetite but still eating

She's not really sick but showing signs that something is wrong. Help before it's too late. I don't want to loose my sweet BO that actually loves to be held and loved! Everyone else runs away from me but her.

 

[eastbaychicks]

anyone there?

 

[ranchhand]

Wish I could help, but that's something I've never encountered.

Could she have eaten something she shouldn't have?

I would definitely stop with the milk. Then I would isolate her, keep her warm enough and start with scrambled eggs, and lots of water. Perhaps some vitamins.
Then observe some more, to see what happens.

Hope you can figure it out.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

The hot to touch is what has me concerned. Have you taken her temp. A chicken's normal temp is 42degrees Centigrade. The poop doesn't look that bad to me. It could be just the milk you are giving her, which I would stop that and give her something with electrolytes in it. Much better for her. Good luck, I hope she will be OK.

 

[eastbaychicks]

Ok.. no more milk... though she had the diarrhea before I gave it to her. Glad to hear it isn't bad looking. I wasn't sure. Poor thing just had the poops all day. She was getting water though.

The reason I was giving it to her is because I read that the milk turns to acid and kills any bacterial living in her colon.... anyone know if this is true. As today went on she seemed very lethargic, but still interacted with the other chickens. She refused to eat any seeds or feed, but she was digging into the greens I gave them. Tonight, her temp seemed to drop, she's seems the same temperature as the other chickens. I should probably spike the water for the whole flock with some vitamins. Great idea.

So what about yogurt or cottage cheese? Any input?

I'll look online about taking a temperature. I guess I should figure that out.

Eating something she shouldn't have. Yes it is possible. Now that you mentioned it, I hadn't even thought of this but now I'm a little concerned she may have taken a few bites of dog poop. We have a dog and it has been raining a lot so it has been hard to get it all up before the rain dissolves it. That may be it. If it is I will be very sad! What if it is? What do I do? We have been letting the chickens free range but maybe it's not a great idea. Hummmm

Thanks for the help.... I am sure if she gets worse we'll be able to pinpoint what is going on.... I hope.

 

[eastbaychicks]

Ok, so things are progressing slowly. Looks like she may have a large pumpkin seed in her crop. She is eating now, a little bit of watered down feed, and of course spinach she loves that stuff!

She isn't showing any other signs of impacted crop, except that she's making loud gurgling sounds.... sort of like our tummies when we get really really hungry. Also it sometimes sounds like there is an open can of soda in her throat. It's not her breathing, but something in the digestive tract.... perhaps the crop. Anyway, I just gave her about 2 Tablespoons of oil to see if that helps to get things moved along.

Any tips?