Poorly ex batt. :(

[jlcn]

Hi all.

My ex bat, who must be roughly 3 years old now has been looking more and more poorly these past few days. It started off with her comb turning purple at the ends and not being her energetic, feisty self. We brought her indoors last night. She will only drink (which I've put pick me up tonic in) when I put the bowl right in front of her and only when I wiggly my finger in it for some reason! She doesn't really seem interested in eating much if anything either. She's pretty much been laid down all day, occasionally getting up but seems weak and lies back down again. Now and again she'll breathe with her beak open too. It seems that 3 years is the typical age for an ex batt so maybe her time is almost up? Just wondered if anyone has any advice really.

Thank you.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi all.

My ex bat, who must be roughly 3 years old now has been looking more and more poorly these past few days. It started off with her comb turning purple at the ends and not being her energetic, feisty self. We brought her indoors last night. She will only drink (which I've put pick me up tonic in) when I put the bowl right in front of her and only when I wiggly my finger in it for some reason! She doesn't really seem interested in eating much if anything either. She's pretty much been laid down all day, occasionally getting up but seems weak and lies back down again. Now and again she'll breathe with her beak open too. It seems that 3 years is the typical age for an ex batt so maybe her time is almost up?

Just wondered if anyone has any advice really.

Thank you.

Hi

Welcome To BYC

How long have you had her?
Do you know when was the last time she laid an egg?
Any bloating, swelling, feeling of fluid in the abdomen?
Any smelly breath - is her crop functioning - is she pooping?
What's your "pick me up tonic"?

I'm sorry to hear she is not doing well. Production hens at that age can have internal laying/reproductive disorders like Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Ascites, Salpingitis, cancer or tumors. Any of these can cause symptoms of lethargy, loose droppings, loss of appetite, loss of weight, problems walking/loss of balance and breathing difficulties.

Purple tinged combs can be an indication of not enough oxygen, heart problems or other internal organ failure. Fluid in the abdomen, swelling from egg matter/egg masses and infection from internal laying/reproductive disorders can cause breathing to become difficult.

If you have a vet that can perform a fecal float test on a poop sample that would rule out cocci, worms or bacterial infection.

Try to keep her hydrated, add some poultry vitamins to her water and offer extra protein like egg or tuna (in addition to her normal feed).

Keep us posted.

 

[jlcn]

Thank you so much for your reply but sadly Jacky passed away during the night.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you so much for your reply but sadly Jacky passed away during the night.

I'm sorry for your loss