Older hen not well this morning - UPDATE WEEKS LATER! (Good outcome)

[speckledhen]

For the record, when I examined all my internal layers, none of them had distended-feeling abdomens, however, upon doing a layman's necropsy, we found many masses of infection and egg material in the oviducts, with layers like onions. Normally, with a standard size bird, we give 1/2 cc, twice daily if the infection is bad, or if it's a dire emergency and we want a 1-2 punch, we do a full cc, which may not be recommended, but if the bird is on its deathbed, seems like it may be called for, but that's me. Normally, you'd do no more than 3/4 cc.

 

[verlaj]

I don't have the pen yet. Going shortly to get it and go home to treat.

She roosted with the others last night. I let them all out in the a.m. as usual - she led the way. Scrambled eggs and topped with some oyster shell dust and layer crumbles - but then couldn't find the hen. The other hens got the egg dish.

Three horse - I agree - the ropy things seem like intestines; maybe the higher up firm, larger diameter thing is enlarged ovary or oviduct. Judging this by location, size and viewing the layout of chickens organs in the Chicken Health Handbook diagram.

Speckled hen - thanks for the report on your necropsies. Food for thought.

I'll update later after I get home from work and see if she will eat - after I find her. I have pretty heavy cover in the fenced area which helps shield the little ones from hawks, but also helps a hen that wants to be by herself hide well.

Thanks so much for your interest and suggestions. It makes me sad that she is not feeling well - and I try NOT to get attached to chickens!

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
I do hope you're able to find her and get started on the treatments. And I'm sorry this is so frustrating. It is pretty sad to read, but maybe she'll pull through. Thank you for trying anyway to heal her and improve her life. You're a good poultry steward and your flock is lucky to have you.

 

[verlaj]

Wondering if I am such a good steward after all, if this is brought on by calcium deficiency. They do normally get mostly layer feed plus free range and some treats. Only since the young ones were mixed with the layers have they been eating mostly starter/grower and getting the scratch treats in the evening. Nonetheless, I try to learn and do better for them.

Update on the hen:

Got home from work with penicillin. (Procaine penicillin G - 300,000 units per ml as I recall; the other form has benzathine in it and labeled only for use in beef cattle).

Hen appeared with the others when I let them out of the fenced area. She was suprisingly perky, ate layer crumbles with oyster shell top-dressing, even chased other hens away from feed. Hopped up on my chair as usual to eat layer crumbles out of my hand. Decided to hold off on the penicillin since she looked so much better.

This morning - not interested in eating crumbles. Offered egg mixed with layer feed and yogurt mixed with layer feed - no dice. Ate a little watermelon, though.

Started the penicillin this morning after seeing she didn't want to eat. Gave 1/2 cc in breast muscle. She does seem thinner now, but still pretty strong. I took her out of the fenced area to offer her the special foods - after she refused that, she hopped the 4 ft fence to get back with the others. She has fresh pale yellow-whitish chalky residue under the vent. Will keep you posted on her progress. I am not expecting much, but will hope for the best.

 

[threehorses]

You are. No one does everything perfect. At least you're trying!

On the hen I'm glad she had a good day, but the iffy day makes me worry. She clears her system, she feels good. She possibly has a shell-less egg, and she feels bad again and doesn't eat. Do you feel that the yellow looks like mixed urates and yolk?

Had you considered doing a tums tablet for her? Surely with laying feed and oyster shell, she should be getting some more calcium in her. What worries me is what's left inside of her? You can without any harm rinse her cloaca with cool water to hopefully wash out any yolk, or any shell bits. I would highly recommend at least oiling up a gloved finger and feeling inside of her for anything after the laying time has passed tomorrow if she doesn't provide an egg. If you feel anything, DO use cool water to rinse it out. This is as the texts prescribe for any yolk or egg shell residue in the cloaca.

In the mean time, I'm glad she got the pen in her. Hopefully if there was something, this will help her from becoming infected. Be sure that she gets some yogurt or another probiotic daily. Hopefully in the three days of calcium and pen, she will improve. Let's cross her fingers.

I wish I could tell you exactly what's wrong with her. But without being there and a good look-see (and feel) myself the best I can do is shoot at most-likely causes. I know for sure she's having some laying issue, and I hope this fixes it. Whether or not this is the only issue, we can only guess. But I'm hoping it is.

In the mean time I take heart in her jumping about and being friendly. She still has spirit and that's good.

 

[verlaj]

Today's update: The hen looks pretty perky, and she ate some layer crumbles yesterday evening and this morning, but she really doesn't have a good appetite. She would much rather have grains than crumbles - if I sprinkle a few oats on the crumbles to entice her, since picks through the feed to find all the oats first. She will not eat yogurt or anything with the Tums in it. That's why I added the oyster shell dust to the feed - to try to get some calcium in her. Will do as you suggest with the flushing the cloaca, will continue the penicillin, and try to get some wholesome food in her.

The residue under her vent is pretty white now. Don't know what it is. It is the same as another old hen (RIR, 7 y.o.) that deteriorated and died in June. That one had fluid distention of her abdomen. She had waxed and waned in attitude and appetite; the good days made me hold off putting her down, then she died when I was out of town. No post.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
She's a stubborn mama! Can you make oatmeal witht he calcium dust?

The white - that can sometimes be a symptom of the same thing - laying issues. That's a lot of urates. Did you ever figure out what caused the ascites in the other hen? Any ideas? I would say, without being able to see any of the birds of course, that it still sounds consistent with peritonitis d.t. laying issues. Of course, there could be another reason - it's not possible often to diagnose online. But I'm glad you're using the pen on this girl.

 

[verlaj]

The hen - okay she does have a funny name - White Feather, due to the fact that she is a GLW with one white feather on her back - was pretty perky this evening and did eat some layer crumbles and possibly some of the oyster shell top dressing. She was pecking pretty quickly so it was a little hard to see what she was getting.

I never really found out what was wrong with the hen that died. She died while I was away and my caretakers buried her for me.

Thanks for the suggestion of the oatmeal laced with oyster shell dust! I will prepare that for her breakfast. Since I will be home tomorrow, I will be able to give her some extra attention.

 

[stuckinthecity]

Hello, I saw the "yellow residue under vent" and I had to comment
My largest red star hen had clear/base colored slime running down her vent as well. She was eggbound.

 

[verlaj]

Thanks for your input. Her discharge started out yellow and slimy - like egg; now it is more chalky white. I palpated her on day 1 and day 2 - could not feel an intact egg, but ropy organs. She seems a little better now - going day by day at the moment, but glad she is perkier and eating a little chicken food now.