Old chicken with diarrhea, lethargy, not eating or drinking

[NathanielJS]

I have an almost 9 year old Americana who has recently stopped eating or drinking and stayed on top of the coop with diarrhea, taking only short steps. She appears to keep going through the motions of trying to poop, and is moving her beak in a "chewing" motion. I recently introduced two new chickens to my flock. The sick chicken has never been sick before (even though she has become less energetic with age), and has not been laying for almost 3 years. I know that at her age her time might be ending soon, but I want to know if I can help her with her current disease. My flock has never been sick, except for one hen who had Marek's Disease (and survived!).

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. I'm not sure of what is wrong with her, but some suggestions might be that something is stuck in her crop or gizzard to cause those symptoms. Her crop should be full in the evening, but if it is full in the morning, it could be impacted or sour. With gizzard impaction, they can lose weight, and many times you don't know what is wrong until you open them up after death. You might try giving her a small amount of castor oil or mineral oil by mouth, to see if she can pass some stool. You should be proud of having a hen that age, since you must take good care. Hens can get Mareks at any age, so she could also have developed tumors inside. Good luck, and keep us posted on her.

 

[NathanielJS]

Will olive oil work? I don't either of those others on hand.

 

[Eggcessive]

You could try it to lubricate things, but the mineral oil or castor oil are strong laxatives. Epsom salts 1 tsp in 1/2 cup of water would work, and give a couple of droppersful by mouth since she won't drink it (because of bad taste.)

 

[NathanielJS]

She was able to roost last night, and she's drinking today. She's constantly standing with her tail feathers and back-half pointed downwards. Could she possibly be egg bounds? She hasn't layed in years, but can that still happen?

What dosage do you recommend for the castor/mineral oil?

 

[Eggcessive]

She was able to roost last night, and she's drinking today. She's constantly standing with her tail feathers and back-half pointed downwards. Could she possibly be egg bounds? She hasn't layed in years, but can that still happen?

What dosage do you recommend for the castor/mineral oil?

Most chickens that are sick with almost anything have their tail down. Insert a gloved finger 1-2 inches inside the vent, and you should be able to feel an egg. I would give 1 tsp of the castor/mineral oil. I hope she is better tomorrow.

 

[NathanielJS]

Thanks for your help and support. Sadly, she died last night. She had a nice long life, but I'll certainly miss her.

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh, so sorry for your loss, and I'm sure she will be missed after 9 years.

 

[NathanielJS]

It appears she did have something contagious, and now my cuckoo marans are sick. I made a new topic: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/884575/sick-cuckoo-marans