- Nov 2, 2014
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We have three hens all around 3 and 1/2 years old. They are not laying right now, but I assumed it was because they were all dealing with the season change and finishing molting. Flannery the buff orpington has always been a bit nervous and smaller than the others. I very vaguely remember her abdomen looking bigger a few weeks ago and feeling a bit soft, but it didn't look alarming.. I think I hoped she was gaining a bit of weight. Each year she has a very hard molt, losing most of her feathers at the same time. The first time it didn't happen until December. I brought her inside and put her in a dog crate to stay warm. I was glad when she started a couple weeks ago since it has still been mostly warm. Things seemed normal with about 1/3 of her feathers back and the rest visibly coming in until a couple days ago when I noticed her comb looked pale and she didn't seem as hungry as usual. The night before had been a bit colder, getting down to upper 40s. I hadn't thought that would be cold enough to need to bring her inside. I brought her some yogurt and peanut butter (two of her favorites) and made sure she drank some water. The next morning she didn't leave the coop. I brought her inside to stay warm in the dog crate and started giving her spoons of Sav-A-Chick electrolyte water. She was very weak, not walking around. She wouldn't eat her normal feed, but she would still eat a bite of yogurt. I noticed she hadn't pooped all day, but then she wasn't eating much either. I started trying anything I could think of to help.. yogurt, olive oil, a bit of vinegar in electrolyte water, warm epsom bath. Her comb became red again and she seemed to perk up and enjoy the bath... eventually standing up on her own and pooping.. mostly clear fluid with some green bits. Late last night she stopped opening her eyes much and I started giving her small amounts of water by holding a syringe in her beak. She has been still and weak all day, so I'm worried it it too late for her. I have never needed to find a vet for the chickens in town, but I don't think I'd have much luck on a Sunday. I have been trying to research the cause, but it has all happened fast and so many diseases seem to have the same symptoms.
The only illnesses I can think to rule out is anything egg related since she was molting. Also, it doesn't seem like Marek's since her eyes look normal and I get the idea that mostly happens to younger birds. I should mention she pulled a gold filled earring out of my ear and ate it when she was around two months old. Amazingly it never seemed to cause her any trouble, though I always wondered if it could have stayed in her gizzard.. could this cause heavy metal poisoning after all this time? Also, I must admit I didn't know I was supposed to be treating them regularly for worms... I had never noticed anything abnormal to suggest they had a problem, but I'm going to get some dewormer for the other girls now. Could it be Leukosis, worms, something else? Are there any other precautions we can take for our other two girls? Apologies for this post being so long, but I would really appreciate any insight. Thanks so much.
The only illnesses I can think to rule out is anything egg related since she was molting. Also, it doesn't seem like Marek's since her eyes look normal and I get the idea that mostly happens to younger birds. I should mention she pulled a gold filled earring out of my ear and ate it when she was around two months old. Amazingly it never seemed to cause her any trouble, though I always wondered if it could have stayed in her gizzard.. could this cause heavy metal poisoning after all this time? Also, I must admit I didn't know I was supposed to be treating them regularly for worms... I had never noticed anything abnormal to suggest they had a problem, but I'm going to get some dewormer for the other girls now. Could it be Leukosis, worms, something else? Are there any other precautions we can take for our other two girls? Apologies for this post being so long, but I would really appreciate any insight. Thanks so much.