Hey there. I just read your statement of what was going on and there were somethings that immediately jumped out at me, and other things that I felt might be also happening that weren't listed.
First, her diet. At 17 weeks with hens reddening in the combs in wattles, they all need to be moved to a laying crumble rather quickly. I would say this hen needs it immediately if she's at all red in the comb. Since you're going from starter and scratch to layer (no scratch then except for small amounts, or at least less than 5% of their diet) I'd use the highest protein laying crumble that you can find. That might be like an 18%. But if you have to do 16%, then by all means do it.
Also she and the other hens need to have oyster shell provided free choice asap.
Because of the signs of upcoming laying that you've seen, and her mature weight, I would also recommend cod liver oil sprayed on the feed twice a week for the next few weeks as well as yogurt given weekly.
I suspect (at first glance) that a few things are happening.
First, heat. You haven't mentioned any pointers towards respiratory illness - like wheezing, sneezing, etc. You mention panting but do you feel the panting is a lack of being able to breathe? Or more a pain/stress response? Whatever she's facing, heat is part of it. She's having some runny greenish diarrhea which could be in part to high-water treats, or to heat stress, or to a third matter which has put her bacterial flora out of balance. For her, I'd give yogurt daily starting today. And monitor her diarrhea.
If she's not moving, she's likely not eating and drinking. I would at leave give her electrolytes in her water and try to facilitate her breathing. If she's experiencing heat stress (worse, I find, in heavier bodied birds) then while you have her up, I'd keep her up in a cooler (but not cold) place. Keep food and water near to her so she doesn't have to extend an effort to get either.
Because of her tipsiness, I would give her vitamins and electrolytes and possibly feed by hand as you are doing with her feed. do you say if you feel her keel that she's quite heavy?
Also, please do feel her abdomen for lumpiness, heaviness, fluid filling, etc - very gently. And back towards her vent.
You shouldn't have to force feed her at this point. Just try to get her moistened feeds. Also - has she been on grit since getting scratch?
Another option is parrot hand-feeding formula for parrot babies from the pet store. Exact, Kaytee, etc. But because of her nearness to laying I'd try to get her to eat her normal diet - well NEW normal diet of laying feed. You can give her cooked eggs, chopped up fine, to try to get her appetite up. Also vitamin B is great for appetites.
Mainly this bird I feel needs to be cooled a bit, hydrated and fed, and then watched. If her comb is red, I would examine her vent for any clingy white and yellow droppings. Watch her behavior - is she squatting like a penguin?
Sorry for the late reply. I was exhausted last night so we went to bed early, and today is my boyfriend's birthday.
So I'll be on later, just not all day like usual. /grin
First, her diet. At 17 weeks with hens reddening in the combs in wattles, they all need to be moved to a laying crumble rather quickly. I would say this hen needs it immediately if she's at all red in the comb. Since you're going from starter and scratch to layer (no scratch then except for small amounts, or at least less than 5% of their diet) I'd use the highest protein laying crumble that you can find. That might be like an 18%. But if you have to do 16%, then by all means do it.
Also she and the other hens need to have oyster shell provided free choice asap.
Because of the signs of upcoming laying that you've seen, and her mature weight, I would also recommend cod liver oil sprayed on the feed twice a week for the next few weeks as well as yogurt given weekly.
I suspect (at first glance) that a few things are happening.
First, heat. You haven't mentioned any pointers towards respiratory illness - like wheezing, sneezing, etc. You mention panting but do you feel the panting is a lack of being able to breathe? Or more a pain/stress response? Whatever she's facing, heat is part of it. She's having some runny greenish diarrhea which could be in part to high-water treats, or to heat stress, or to a third matter which has put her bacterial flora out of balance. For her, I'd give yogurt daily starting today. And monitor her diarrhea.
If she's not moving, she's likely not eating and drinking. I would at leave give her electrolytes in her water and try to facilitate her breathing. If she's experiencing heat stress (worse, I find, in heavier bodied birds) then while you have her up, I'd keep her up in a cooler (but not cold) place. Keep food and water near to her so she doesn't have to extend an effort to get either.
Because of her tipsiness, I would give her vitamins and electrolytes and possibly feed by hand as you are doing with her feed. do you say if you feel her keel that she's quite heavy?
Also, please do feel her abdomen for lumpiness, heaviness, fluid filling, etc - very gently. And back towards her vent.
You shouldn't have to force feed her at this point. Just try to get her moistened feeds. Also - has she been on grit since getting scratch?
Another option is parrot hand-feeding formula for parrot babies from the pet store. Exact, Kaytee, etc. But because of her nearness to laying I'd try to get her to eat her normal diet - well NEW normal diet of laying feed. You can give her cooked eggs, chopped up fine, to try to get her appetite up. Also vitamin B is great for appetites.
Mainly this bird I feel needs to be cooled a bit, hydrated and fed, and then watched. If her comb is red, I would examine her vent for any clingy white and yellow droppings. Watch her behavior - is she squatting like a penguin?
Sorry for the late reply. I was exhausted last night so we went to bed early, and today is my boyfriend's birthday.
