Pet hen sick!

[Oki&Nawa]

I’m sad to say my only and LAST hen is sick. I usually just keep them as pets, at least 7 of them. I had to give my roosters away since out neighbor kept complaining every day!
Back to the chicken... This is my gamefowl hen Milo. I got her as a gift from my uncle. Three days ago, it was burning hot outside and she was panting a lot but I don’t know if that had anything to do with it(just pointing that out just in case it does). The next day she became a little weak. Her comb drooped really low! She won’t eat and I checked her crop and only felt a few pieces of millet in there. Her bum isn’t soaked in poo but her stool does look odd. She’s not pooping the little “cupcakes” she used to.
I can’t loose her. She’s my baby and also one of my favorites... I did try to feed her scrambled eggs and she only ate very little. I also gave her a pill for chickens but I still don’t know what’s wrong with her so I really can’t treat it. I’ve tried using a syringe to drop some honey water in her beak to try and hydrate her.
She hasn’t laid her daily egg yet either. Someone please help so I can finally help her! I have a sick parakeet as well ...

her bum

 

[dunnmom]

Poor baby! Could be heat stress, and that doesn't always pass quickly. Maybe try to give her some electrolyte water. Not the flavored kind, but like SmartWater, or unflavored Propel, as others have suggested for sick birds. Keep offering the foods she likes, and watch for other symptoms.

 

[Oki&Nawa]

Poor baby! Could be heat stress, and that doesn't always pass quickly. Maybe try to give her some electrolyte water. Not the flavored kind, but like SmartWater, or unflavored Propel, as others have suggested for sick birds. Keep offering the foods she likes, and watch for other symptoms.

I will try! Quick question though, how long does heat exhaustion last?

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Sorry to hear about your hen, but unfortunately I have nothing to offer but condolences.

@Wyorp Rock I’m sorry, but I know that you are good with medical stuff!

 

[Number51x]

Hi, first time poster, long time lurker here. I had one of my hens go all droopy like that and start with the bile poops, not eating and such as well. I too had no apparent environmental factors or injuries present (I'm not thinking heat since I would imagine the bird is already well acclimated to the local climate and you mentioned having another sick bird). I got my girl to an avian vet and got her on a round of antibiotics. She came around in a few days.

The vet gave me liquid medication that I had to administer by syringe. I suggest just putting a little bit in the side of her mouth (how you manage that is all about patience and practice) at a time until the full dose has been delivered. The vet did it by sticking the syringe down her esophagus, but to unpracticed hands, this can be dangerous as you can put the medicine down her airway.

If you are unable to get medical care, I would suggest bringing her inside, keep her cool and comfortable and offer food and water frequently. It'll be work, but a labor of love. Also, try to refrain from trying too many different fixes in rapid succession. It'll be less stressful for you and the bird if you settle on a single course of treatment and stick with it.

 

[Oki&Nawa]

Hi, first time poster, long time lurker here. I had one of my hens go all droopy like that and start with the bile poops, not eating and such as well. I too had no apparent environmental factors or injuries present (I'm not thinking heat since I would imagine the bird is already well acclimated to the local climate and you mentioned having another sick bird). I got my girl to an avian vet and got her on a round of antibiotics. She came around in a few days.

The vet gave me liquid medication that I had to administer by syringe. I suggest just putting a little bit in the side of her mouth (how you manage that is all about patience and practice) at a time until the full dose has been delivered. The vet did it by sticking the syringe down her esophagus, but to unpracticed hands, this can be dangerous as you can put the medicine down her airway.

If you are unable to get medical care, I would suggest bringing her inside, keep her cool and comfortable and offer food and water frequently. It'll be work, but a labor of love. Also, try to refrain from trying too many different fixes in rapid succession. It'll be less stressful for you and the bird if you settle on a single course of treatment and stick with it.

Hello! I hope your hen felt better!. I did manage to go to the local poultry shop and buy some antibiotics. My poor girl is inside a dog crate with a little doggie pee pad, all cool inside with some honey water and scrambled eggs. I’m well experienced in crop feeding birds since I own a lot of baby birds but I’m not sure for a chicken. I still got a parakeet to aid but I don’t even know how to treat him. He’s all puffed up and immobile. He is eating though, just really weak.

here is the pill I gave my hen

 

[Mr.Universe]

chickens can get heat stroke and dehydrate just like we do, in that event like us, we and they are more susceptable to sicknesses.

electrolytes can be had at any store that has baby food. the clear unflavored electrolyte water works a treat (note once opened it does expire quickly so buy 2 bottles, or 5 and keep some on hand) molasses should be substituted, half a tbsp unsulphered molasses per gallon to be more enticing to her and add iron. also try offering her broccoli.

heat exhaustion can last from 24 hours to a week or more. be persistent, offer frequently. also buy a large syringe from a rite aide or something simmilar you know the kind that you can screw a line onto the end. the larger capacty will help greatly if you do not already have a large capacity.

taking away the supply because the dropper is empty is actually disheartening to chickens i have learned very quickly and can loose interest very fast.

also, much like humans, dehydration can cause us to poo straight bile charicterized by its hot pungent odor and the burn that comes with it.

im not saying this cant be or isnt a virus, and may be beneficial to take her to a vet but in the meantime work on re hydrating her and getting her to eat, these are the main things to focus on, if she begins eating more and drinking more you know you are on the right track.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry about your hen, how is she doing?
Do you notice any swelling/bloat or feeling of fluid in the abdomen?

Can you get a fecal float to check for worms or Coccidiosis overload. Since she did not lay her daily egg, she may be having difficulty with reproductive problems. Egg Yolk Peritonitis, cancer, tumors, etc. can be common.

Do what you can to keep her hydrated.

 

[Oki&Nawa]

chickens can get heat stroke and dehydrate just like we do, in that event like us, we and they are more susceptable to sicknesses.

electrolytes can be had at any store that has baby food. the clear unflavored electrolyte water works a treat (note once opened it does expire quickly so buy 2 bottles, or 5 and keep some on hand) molasses should be substituted, half a tbsp unsulphered molasses per gallon to be more enticing to her and add iron. also try offering her broccoli.

heat exhaustion can last from 24 hours to a week or more. be persistent, offer frequently. also buy a large syringe from a rite aide or something simmilar you know the kind that you can screw a line onto the end. the larger capacty will help greatly if you do not already have a large capacity.

taking away the supply because the dropper is empty is actually disheartening to chickens i have learned very quickly and can loose interest very fast.

also, much like humans, dehydration can cause us to poo straight bile charicterized by its hot pungent odor and the burn that comes with it.

im not saying this cant be or isnt a virus, and may be beneficial to take her to a vet but in the meantime work on re hydrating her and getting her to eat, these are the main things to focus on, if she begins eating more and drinking more you know you are on the right track.

Unfortunatly, there are no vets who can do anything. They usually say the same thing, “give her time”. Since chickens aren’t viewed as important as dogs or cats at my place. She is slowly pecking at some soft pellets I got her though. She’s still lathargic but peeking up a little. Can I give her pedyialite? Sorry if I spelled that wrong. Thank you so much for your info though!

 

[Oki&Nawa]

I'm sorry about your hen, how is she doing?
Do you notice any swelling/bloat or feeling of fluid in the abdomen?

Can you get a fecal float to check for worms or Coccidiosis overload. Since she did not lay her daily egg, she may be having difficulty with reproductive problems. Egg Yolk Peritonitis, cancer, tumors, etc. can be common.

Do what you can to keep her hydrated.

She is peeking up a little more since I let her chill with me in my room while she was cozy in the little dog kennel.I’m most certain she has no worms. Fecal floats are very overpriced here so that’s not an option... I’m just trying to keep her alive at home aiding her myself sadly..