***PICS*** Hen Stuck in Molt & Sick (Yellow Skin, Orange Comb and Wattles)

[Colorado'sMamaHen]

I can't get her to eat. Made both a mash and scrambled eggs in addition to the tuna she usually LOVES. She hasn't touched any of it. I am so concerned. She is really getting thin. I just don't know if I should put her down...such a tough and permanent decision.

 

[janinepeters]

It's always a painfully difficult decision. For this bird, she has been sick a long time, appears very ill, with little quality of life remaining. I personally think that prolonging life in these cases is just prolonging the suffering. It's true that birds sometimes recover after serious problems, but this one seems pretty far gone. However, you understand the situation better than anyone, so do whatever you feel comfortable with.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I've never experienced it myself, but sometimes birds can get stuck in molt. Try to get high protein feed in her. (I know it's hard when she doesn't want to eat) Can you get mealworms? They are extremely high in protein and may help her get out of it.

 

[janinepeters]

I've never experienced it myself, but sometimes birds can get stuck in molt. Try to get high protein feed in her. (I know it's hard when she doesn't want to eat) Can you get mealworms? They are extremely high in protein and may help her get out of it.

I hate to be a pessimist, but I really think it's the other way around. She is stuck in the molt BECAUSE she is very ill. Her body doesn't have the energy to complete the molt because it is battling illness. Getting stuck in the molt would not make her stand with feather puffed up, lose appetite, and turn comb and wattles yellow.

 

[Colorado'sMamaHen]

She took her antibiotic (Cephalexin) w/yogurt! (Yogurt does not interfere with this particular antibiotic). Keeping her good and warm with plenty of food and water w/electrolytes. Now to wait and see if she eats a couple of TBLS of canned catfood...

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
She could have simply lost too much weight during her molt, causing her to become ill. If her body weight dropped too low during the molt, then it could cause these symptoms. (especially if she has worms) Her body would go into starvation mode.

However this hen became ill, getting protein in her is essential.

 

[Happy Chooks]

She took her antibiotic (Cephalexin) w/yogurt! (Yogurt does not interfere with this particular antibiotic). Keeping her good and warm with plenty of food and water w/electrolytes. Now to wait and see if she eats a couple of TBLS of canned catfood...

I'm so glad you are getting something in her.

 

[Country4ever]

Maybe I missed it, but did you say what her crop and her abdomen felt like?

 

[janinepeters]

She could have simply lost too much weight during her molt, causing her to become ill. If her body weight dropped too low during the molt, then it could cause these symptoms. (especially if she has worms) Her body would go into starvation mode.

Could the decline go on for 5 months, though? I thought starvation in a chicken would lead to liver disease and shutdown much more quickly.

 

[Colorado'sMamaHen]

What exactly am I feeling for when I check her crop and abdomen? I don't know that I would feel anything beyond the prickley feather shafts and I don't want to hurt her. Should I go ahead and worm her just to be on the safe side then? I know she is much more comfortable being in the warm, quiet room. It snowed here last night and even though the coop is heated, I think she would be wasting a lot of energy just to keep warm.