Possible ideas why my pullet/hen is ill

[Liz Longhi]

I'm wondering if part of the problem is that she has gotten too many treats all together and hasn't been getting a full complete diet. I still suggest you stop all treats but if you insist on feeding them then limit them to once a week and not daily.

Ok I will eliminate treats to once weekly but since the run is quite pecked free of vegetation, should I continue to supply green leafy vegetables ( spinach and such) or dried alfalfa?

Or just pellets?

 

[Liz Longhi]

Hopefully the calcium helps her. It's such a guessing game and we simply can only do that...guess.

Is a vet an option? They could do an x-ray to see if it is an egg stuck somewhere problem.

I was hoping to avoid the vet bill if possible. My husband isn’t fond of my chicken fever as it is. Plopping a vet bill would fly like lead balloons. Not ruling it out completely though lol

I am hoping with the vast knowledge here; we can get her back on track. So that I have a happy hen and a happy hubby

 

[Kiki]

Just pellets is good enough.
Greens once a week wouldn't hurt.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

increasingly lethargic in behavior over 2-3 days.
She is drinking and eating (a bit)

tail is droopy and she isolates herself in the run, hiding behind plants, shrubs, or in the corner from the others.

she has been drinking quite a bit

I would not worry about food at this time. Let her drink, she's needs to stay hydrated.
The poop photo - was that poop or possibly discharge mixed with poop?
It does look suspect like a bit of albumen (egg whites).
Her stance and your description, to me, says she having a reproductive problem. Whether it's a soft shell egg that she is trying to pass or whether she is laying internally it's hard to know.

Patience. Get some calcium into her - 1/2 Caltrate or 1 TUMS is fine. I usually direct dose them with poultry vitamins as well.

If she is not lethargic, you can give her a soak in a warm epsom salts bath to see if that gets things moving. If she is lethargic, then place her in a steamed up bathroom or in her kennel on a heating pad set on low. Monitor her so she doesn't overheat on the heating pad.

Whatever is going on with her, she is under stress, so go slow and let her rest between any treatments you offer.

It's always a good idea to check crop function, so feel of it first thing in the morning before she has had anything to eat/drink - it should be empty. If it's not then we can help you with that.

 

[Liz Longhi]

I would not worry about food at this time. Let her drink, she's needs to stay hydrated.
The poop photo - was that poop or possibly discharge mixed with poop?
It does look suspect like a bit of albumen (egg whites).
Her stance and your description, to me, says she having a reproductive problem. Whether it's a soft shell egg that she is trying to pass or whether she is laying internally it's hard to know.

Patience. Get some calcium into her - 1/2 Caltrate or 1 TUMS is fine. I usually direct dose them with poultry vitamins as well.

If she is not lethargic, you can give her a soak in a warm epsom salts bath to see if that gets things moving. If she is lethargic, then place her in a steamed up bathroom or in her kennel on a heating pad set on low. Monitor her so she doesn't overheat on the heating pad.

Whatever is going on with her, she is under stress, so go slow and let her rest between any treatments you offer.

It's always a good idea to check crop function, so feel of it first thing in the morning before she has had anything to eat/drink - it should be empty. If it's not then we can help you with that.



View attachment 1594497

Ok great,

Will post tomorrow as to her condition ( will remove food and water tonight) so I can see if the crop is empty tomorrow

She has been in isolation today and has been drinking a good deal.

She is lethargic and doesn’t want to stand ( maybe instinctively keeping her belly warm to help) so I will try to promote that tonight since it is 80 here today.

I will just let her rest after some calcium supplement.

 

[Liz Longhi]

Calcium supplement administered.

It was creamy ( in a gel cap from my personal supplement) she didn’t want me to give it to her ( a bit of rebel left in her) but she ate it on her own.

Now leave her to rest

Fingers crossed

 

[Liz Longhi]

For Texas Kiki...

Tomorrow when my girls are making a ruckus for a treat I am going to tell them

“No, Texas Kiki said eat your pellets and be quiet” lol

 

[Liz Longhi]

What exact product do you use?

Sorry just seen this question.

This is the product they suggested

 

[Kiki]

Sorry just seen this question.

This is the product they suggested

Thank you.
It is possible that this will keep bugs but only if it doesn't ever get even the slightest damp.
This will NOT rid a bug problem though.
Double check your birds at night with a flashlight for bugs.
Permethrin will rid most all chicken bug problems. (external parasites)

Permethrin Concentrate, Martin's on Left - Durvet on right

• Kiki
• Jul 28, 2018
• 2

Screen Shot 2018-07-20 At 8.58.04 AM

• Kiki
• Aug 3, 2018

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

 

[Liz Longhi]

Ok I will get this product as well.

Just to be clear. I have applied this in the coop and nesting boxes from day 1.

Periodically through the run ( after dries up from rain) for clean dusting.

I feel to be meticulous about the coop. I clean it weekly with new shavings and new dusting for parasites.

With this said, I will still try the other product. Anything for happy healthy girls