Please help me with Loretta

[featherhead007]

I hope Loretta gets better soon.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

If fluid builds up too much in the abdomen it starts compressing organs and can be fatal. If she seems really full and heavy back there I’d watch some videos on how to drain a chicken and see if that’s something you’d do or would take her to a vet to do. There are a number of things that can cause water belly (ascites) and the prognosis isn’t always good. Reproductive issues are common but it could also be heart failure or liver issues and probably other things. If she doesn’t lay an egg or improve and you can’t take her to a vet, I’d drain her and treat her with antibiotics if you can find them in case she has an infection and to prevent infection from the draining. I have had one chicken recover from a bad case of ascites that hasn’t had a problem in years, but frequently it’s a chronic issue and sooner or later the bird dies from the root cause, though I’m really hoping this is just a blip for Loretta.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

The dose can be twice that. Calcium encourages contractions to help get an egg out. I would give her another calcium dose a little later if she hasn't produced anything.

I did end up giving her another calcium supplement to no avail.
Her poop continued to be yellow, though she had eaten some and was drinking some water. She never did lay an egg.

Check to see if her crop empties overnight by early morning after not eating or drinking for 8-10 hours.

Her crop was empty the following morning, although it felt empty when I brought her in in the morning as well.

If fluid builds up too much in the abdomen it starts compressing organs and can be fatal. If she seems really full and heavy back there I’d watch some videos on how to drain a chicken and see if that’s something you’d do or would take her to a vet to do. There are a number of things that can cause water belly (ascites) and the prognosis isn’t always good. Reproductive issues are common but it could also be heart failure or liver issues and probably other things. If she doesn’t lay an egg or improve and you can’t take her to a vet, I’d drain her and treat her with antibiotics if you can find them in case she has an infection and to prevent infection from the draining. I have had one chicken recover from a bad case of ascites that hasn’t had a problem in years, but frequently it’s a chronic issue and sooner or later the bird dies from the root cause, though I’m really hoping this is just a blip for Loretta.

In all honesty she didn't feel as though she was overly full. (If she would have I would have commented back)

I thank everyone for their advice. I still don't really know what was wrong with her, (i do know none of the rest of the flock is showing symptoms as of yet.)

she passed late last night.
She was a part of my Diva Clan.
Reba, Patsy, Emmylou, Dolly, Wynonna, and Loretta.

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[azygous]

I'm so sorry this grief has struck at just this particular time. Unfortunately, chickens don't get sick at convenient times. Do to the yellow poop, I have a strong hunch this hen may have been laying internally. If you were to open her abdominal cavity, you might see a collection of "hardboiled" eggs that had reversed course in the oviduct and spilled over into the abdomen instead. This can happen to new layers and older layers alike. There is nothing we could have done about it.

 

[Sally PB]

Sorry for your loss. Fly high and free, beautiful Loretta!

Hugs.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Thanks guys ❤

I'm so sorry this grief has struck at just this particular time. Unfortunately, chickens don't get sick at convenient times. Do to the yellow poop, I have a strong hunch this hen may have been laying internally. If you were to open her abdominal cavity, you might see a collection of "hardboiled" eggs that had reversed course in the oviduct and spilled over into the abdomen instead. This can happen to new layers and older layers alike. There is nothing we could have done about it.

I appreciate your insight, thanks so much.