ChookieWookie
In the Brooder
After a few days of consideration, we had to euthanise one of our birds, today. What were originally unconcerning symptoms rapidly deteriorated over the last week.
About the bird:
Overview of symptoms:
Soon after coming out of a moult in May (Southern Hemisphere), despite the lovely new feathers, we'd observed the following problems:
In recent months, since say November, we'd noticed the following:
Tragically, as I held her upside down by her feet to cut her throat, she vomited and must have aspirated some of the fluid, resulting in a very uncomfortable and stressful death for her.
Photos of below her vent / her abdomen from Sunday night:
https://imgur.com/a/48hyhdu
Our thoughts so far:
Any thoughts on what could've been the problem? Thanks in advance!
About the bird:
- Age: ~2 years
- Weight: Heavier than the other hens. We called her "Chunky".
- Breed: ISA brown-style
- Shared a coop with 3 other hens.
- Coop has straw bedding. Used to roost, slept on the floor last few nights.
Overview of symptoms:
Soon after coming out of a moult in May (Southern Hemisphere), despite the lovely new feathers, we'd observed the following problems:
- Never resumed laying
- Runny poop, dirty butt
- Laboured breathing
In recent months, since say November, we'd noticed the following:
- Swollen abdomen
- Tail "bobbing"
- Constant tail bobbing
- Drinking copious amounts of water
- Fluid-filled crop - no smelly breath.
- 100% clear, water discharged from her vent
- Despite being very heavy, she had very little muscle on her breasts
- Abdomen had gotten so big, it often dragged on the ground and cause her to waddle
Tragically, as I held her upside down by her feet to cut her throat, she vomited and must have aspirated some of the fluid, resulting in a very uncomfortable and stressful death for her.
Photos of below her vent / her abdomen from Sunday night:
https://imgur.com/a/48hyhdu
Our thoughts so far:
- Gleet? No, her vent looked quite healthy (not red, irritated).
- Sour crop? No, never had smelly breath.
- Worms? Maybe, though dewormed since May.
- Lice/Mites? No, checked regularly.
- Cancer/tumor? Maybe
- EYP? Maybe
Any thoughts on what could've been the problem? Thanks in advance!