Poop with green bits and somewhat lethargic hen

Firefoot

Songster
Jul 8, 2018
134
255
131
Baltimore County, MD
My EE hen, Sallie, is back in isolation as this morning she is moving slow and had a weird watery poop with green bits in it. They don’t really have access to grass. I recently gave them cabbage and strawberries, they ate some of the cabbage but didn’t know what to do with it. She hasn’t laid in a few weeks but neither has any one else. Last week it was very cold and snowy and they stayed in the coop for almost the entirety of 3 days when it was coldest and snow still on the ground. I kept it clean and warm and say them all drink and eat a bit but it was miserable out.

Recently dewormed with fenbendazole. Gave her an egg, some yogurt, dosed her some water, and she is in a crate until I feel like she’s doing better. Eye looks bright, comb still red, no heat or swelling in the legs. Ideas?? Located in MD.

Attached are a pic of poops and of her how she was standing kind of hunchy. I say back in quarantine because about ten days ago I thought she was egg bound. I treated her for it and dewormed her. She never laid an egg but seemed to bounce back after treatment so I turned her back with the flock.
 

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Did you follow up with a second dose of fenbendazole in 10 days, or did you give 5 days of treatment? I would not keep her separated from her flock unless she is being bullied or hurt. Her diarrhea could be related to a reproductive disorder or some other cause. You could try some Corid (amprollium) for possible coccidiosis if she is lethargic, standing puffed up, and not eating well. Does she seem to have any enlargement in her lower abdomen compared to the other hens? That is something that happens with some reproductive disorders. Is her crop empty, full and firm, or puffy like a balloon? Crop problems also may cause feeling poorly.
 
Did you follow up with a second dose of fenbendazole in 10 days, or did you give 5 days of treatment? I would not keep her separated from her flock unless she is being bullied or hurt. Her diarrhea could be related to a reproductive disorder or some other cause. You could try some Corid (amprollium) for possible coccidiosis if she is lethargic, standing puffed up, and not eating well. Does she seem to have any enlargement in her lower abdomen compared to the other hens? That is something that happens with some reproductive disorders. Is her crop empty, full and firm, or puffy like a balloon? Crop problems also may cause feeling poorly.

Thank you for the reply!

I did the 10-day follow-up fenbendazole. Perhaps I should have done the 5 day treatment, but it was really difficult with the weather and everything to dose her daily. I could not find a vet to do a fecal float.

I suspected a crop issue last time she was under the weather, also, but she turned out to be fine. This morning her crop felt normal -- not too full as she hadn't eaten much but not overly squishy or balloon-y or anything.

I think at this point I would suspect coccidiosis and treat for that? I also must say that in the fall I had two birds pass from Marek's (several weeks apart) and the second bird was necropsied. The necropsy showed Mycoplasma synoviae also present. So, I of course treat all my birds as exposed and am now worried that the recent weather stress has brought about symptoms of one of those two things. They have also been in 24/7 for a few weeks now as hawks have moved into the area, whereas they previously free ranged at least a few hours a day. What are your thoughts about that? Am I totally overreacting?

Edited to add that I didn't plan to separate her -- I really didn't have time for it this morning :p But I was watching them all for a while and my one super dick hen kept making Sallie get up and move, so I separated her for the day, at least so she can rest. Also the fact that she let me catch her in the run was a big sign that she doesn't feel good -- she's usually more feral.
 
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+1 to checking her abdomen (fluffy butt) for bloating. I also think her poop is not normal. Does it feel like she’s getting skinny across her breast muscle? Please keep us posted.

She does not feel bloated, her crop feels normal this morning, and she had a voracious appetite for some wet cat food. Looks like she had pecked at her pellets a little bit too maybe. She is bright with her tail up and chatty this morning so I’m thinking to turn her back out with the group? I’ve attached a pic of her poop this am which seems like a lot of urates but maybe not...

I was not able to get any meds for her yesterday but am headed to TSC this morning.
 

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I also must say that in the fall I had two birds pass from Marek's (several weeks apart) and the second bird was necropsied. The necropsy showed Mycoplasma synoviae also present. So, I of course treat all my birds as exposed and am now worried that the recent weather stress has brought about symptoms of one of those two things. They

This is entirely possible.
 
This is entirely possible.

:( Do you think that if she looks bright and happy she can go back with the rest? I don’t want to stress her by separating for too long and at this point they’re all exposed anyway right? :oops: If she is bright and happy today after basically no treatment but rest, do you think the Amprolium is necessary or better to wait and watch?
 
Since Mareks in the flock can lower immunity to common diseases, while you have her separated, it might be good to give her Corid in her water for 5 days. Does she have any signs of MS, such as swollen joints in her legs or feet?

Edited to say, that I was posting as you posted. Amprollium (Corid) can be safely given to your other birds if you put her back with her flock. The longer she is out, the harder it is to put her back without fighting.
 
:( Do you think that if she looks bright and happy she can go back with the rest? I don’t want to stress her by separating for too long and at this point they’re all exposed anyway right? :oops: If she is bright and happy today after basically no treatment but rest, do you think the Amprolium is necessary or better to wait and watch?
I wouldn't put her back asap.
I don't think you should ever separate them unless one is being beat up by the others.
 
Since Mareks in the flock can lower immunity to common diseases, while you have her separated, it might be good to give her Corid in her water for 5 days. Does she have any signs of MS, such as swollen joints in her legs or feet?

Edited to say, that I was posting as you posted. Amprollium (Corid) can be safely given to your other birds if you put her back with her flock. The longer she is out, the harder it is to put her back without fighting.

No other signs of MS at present. The bird that necropsied positive for MS also showed no signs of it. She presented strongly with neurological Marek’s. I will probably put her back in with everyone today. She misses them and she’s already low in the order so I don’t want conflict.

I wouldn't put her back asap.
I don't think you should ever separate them unless one is being beat up by the others.

Yes I hate to separate them too. My older hens, the BR especially, were not letting her sit and rest yesterday, and I wanted to keep an eye on her droppings. I will put her back sometime today probably.
 

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