Older Hen with poor appetite

[ed33935]

I have an older hen, Lucy, which I’ve posted about before here. In December she had a bout of vent gleet and her fecal came back with worms. I treated her for all this and she was doing great. She even re started laying eggs again , something she hadn’t done I. About a year. But recently as of a few days ago her appitite is off. She doesn’t eat much, she will eat mealworms and some, very little of her all flock food. ( I supplement with oyster shell and egg shells). Her eggs have stopped also. She has no other signs of illness. Her poop looks normal. What could be her issue? I was considering giving her a calcium supplement but have not as of yet. I also checked her butt to see maybe she has an egg there, but I felt nothing. Any ideas?

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is she? Is her crop now emptying by early morning? What was the wormer that was used? Did you repeat it to get the newly hatched worm eggs? Many hens will lay sporadically or go off lay as they get older. Some may have reproductive disorders or cancer, water belly etc. I would stop mealworms or treats and try to get her to an eat her balanced chicken feed. Add a little water in a small amount in a bowl a couple of times a day. Bits of egg in it might tempt her. Has there ever been any history of a respiratory virus in the flock that caused frequent sneezing?

 

[ed33935]

How old is she? Is her crop now emptying by early morning? What was the wormer that was used? Did you repeat it to get the newly hatched worm eggs? Many hens will lay sporadically or go off lay as they get older. Some may have reproductive disorders or cancer, water belly etc. I would stop mealworms or treats and try to get her to an eat her balanced chicken feed. Add a little water in a small amount in a bowl a couple of times a day. Bits of egg in it might tempt her. Has there ever been any history of a respiratory virus in the flock that caused frequent sneezing?

We adopted her 15 months ago from our close neighbor. She is older, has only one eye. I’m guessing she is at least 3+?

I feel her crop and since she isnt eating a lot it’s hard to tell but yes I think it’s empty in the morning.

I did the safe-guard for 5 days, after which we did a fecal and it show no worms. I didn’t repeat it and perhaps that was a mistake.

She was wormed in December last, shouldn’t treat her again?

We have never had any respiratory issues ( or any other health issues) with any of our small flock ( 5 hens and a rooster). She has never presented any sneezing and as I mentioned she has no symptoms now.

What food should I be feeding her. Layer feed or all flock with a supplement? Should I add a vitamin supplement or ?

 

[Eggcessive]

She can eat layer or all flock with oyster shell in a separate container. I would feel some other crops and then check hers in early morning to make sure that it empties and then fills up with food and water during the day. It won’t hurt to deworm her, and make sure to give her 1/4 ml per pound, about 1.25 ml for an 5 pound bird, and shake the wormer well before getting the dose.

 

[ed33935]

She can eat layer or all flock with oyster shell in a separate container. I would feel some other crops and then check hers in early morning to make sure that it empties and then fills up with food and water during the day. It won’t hurt to deworm her, and make sure to give her 1/4 ml per pound, about 1.25 ml for an 5 pound bird, and shake the wormer well before getting the dose.

Ok I’ll do the deworm, I have the goat paste. Is that dose 1/4ml per LB the same for that? How about poltery booster or nutro-drench?

 

[ed33935]

She can eat layer or all flock with oyster shell in a separate container. I would feel some other crops and then check hers in early morning to make sure that it empties and then fills up with food and water during the day. It won’t hurt to deworm her, and make sure to give her 1/4 ml per pound, about 1.25 ml for an 5 pound bird, and shake the wormer well before getting the dose.

I’ve never had crop issues before but this morning, and I’m no expert, it seems as though she has some food in her crop. It’s not flat. What should I do in this case?

 

[ed33935]

She can eat layer or all flock with oyster shell in a separate container. I would feel some other crops and then check hers in early morning to make sure that it empties and then fills up with food and water during the day. It won’t hurt to deworm her, and make sure to give her 1/4 ml per pound, about 1.25 ml for an 5 pound bird, and shake the wormer well before getting the dose.

We checked her crop for smell and it dosnt smell sour, but definitely has some food in it. It’s 10 am here in Florida, I’d assume it shouldn’t be that full as she hasn’t been eating a whole lot. How should I treat her?

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes the dose is 1/4 ml per pound for the horse paste. Give for 5 days. Does the food in her crop feel firm, doughy, or puffy/squishy? If she could have eaten or drunk before you checked it, check it again before she has access to them. A slow crop or early problem may not smell bad. Chilled coconut oil cut into small pieces can be offered to peck—1-2 tsp up to twice a day. If an impacted crop is firm or doughy, it can be massaged. Don’t massage a puffy liquidy crop or she could vomit and choke. Slow crop may happen with an illness or pressure inside her abdomen. NutriDrench or other vitamins and electrolytes are fine to use. Following this article is good if she actually has a problem:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[ed33935]

Yes the dose is 1/4 ml per pound for the horse paste. Give for 5 days. Does the food in her crop feel firm, doughy, or puffy/squishy? If she could have eaten or drunk before you checked it, check it again before she has access to them. A slow crop or early problem may not smell bad. Chilled coconut oil cut into small pieces can be offered to peck—1-2 tsp up to twice a day. If an impacted crop is firm or doughy, it can be massaged. Don’t massage a puffy liquidy crop or she could vomit and choke. Slow crop may happen with an illness or pressure inside her abdomen. NutriDrench or other vitamins and electrolytes are fine to use. Following this article is good if she actually has a problem:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

It’s hard for me to say but it’s not hard like a ball, it’s more squishy. She seems to like a gentle massage but I won’t do it if it’s not advised. should I try treating it with the miconazole? She don’t have a sour oder, but my wife said she smells like grain ( I can’t smell).

 

[ed33935]

Yes the dose is 1/4 ml per pound for the horse paste. Give for 5 days. Does the food in her crop feel firm, doughy, or puffy/squishy? If she could have eaten or drunk before you checked it, check it again before she has access to them. A slow crop or early problem may not smell bad. Chilled coconut oil cut into small pieces can be offered to peck—1-2 tsp up to twice a day. If an impacted crop is firm or doughy, it can be massaged. Don’t massage a puffy liquidy crop or she could vomit and choke. Slow crop may happen with an illness or pressure inside her abdomen. NutriDrench or other vitamins and electrolytes are fine to use. Following this article is good if she actually has a problem:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Should I try treating her for the crop issue before doing the deworming? I have the cream for the yeast infection we used previously for the vent gleet. Don’t know what to do first.