Recent Lethargic Senior Hen

[ClucksAndCombs]

Hello,

Just today, I noticed one of my Cinnamon Queens of five years acting a bit weird. After a few quick inspections, I brought her inside, thinking a crop issue. She (reluctantly) ate the nystatin, probiotics cheese mixture. Afterward, she seemed to be straining as if to poop or lay an egg. All that came out was a small drop of poop and pus-smelling urine. She continued this sort of thing several times- sometimes nothing comes out, sometimes an almost normal looking poop. I don't usually notice this for typical sour or impacted crop.

30 minutes have gone by since the apple cider/ probiotics/ nystatin mixture and is already appearing to act a bit better. I'm hesitant to give her antibiotics since I think it's an egg issue/ infection, but the chance it's not, is also high.

Chicken's Background
- Still lays around 2-3 times a week and squatted yesterday.
- Cinnamon Queen
- Previously healthy
- Five years old
- Vaccinated for Marek's

Symptoms:
- Newly lethargic
- Slight loss of appetite- still eats grapes, cheese, and apples with hidden apple cider/ probiotics/ nystatin mixture.
- Dark/ purple comb at the tips (body infection?)
- Straining (as if to lay an egg or poop)
- Small frequent poops, with pus-like smell, gooey. Many little drops come out at a time.
- Crop like a stress ball, swishy, not filled that much, balloon-ish,
- Body sounds, like gurgling
- No smelly breath, no wheezing- not respiratory
- Still clucking, reactive- currently paying attention to some rabbits and squirrels playing


I can give pictures and can answer any questions, I'll be exploring the website for more information after I post this.

Thank you so much <3

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Cinnamon Queens of five years acting a bit weird.

thinking a crop issue.

She (reluctantly) ate the nystatin, probiotics cheese mixture. Afterward, she seemed to be straining as if to poop or lay an egg. All that came out was a small drop of poop and pus-smelling urine. She continued this sort of thing several times- sometimes nothing comes out, sometimes an almost normal looking poop.

I'm hesitant to give her antibiotics since I think it's an egg issue/ infection, but the chance it's not, is also high.

Dark/ purple comb at the tips

Crop like a stress ball, swishy, not filled that much, balloon-ish,

Body sounds, like gurgling

If you have photos of the poop and your hen that would be good.
Can you feel inside the vent to make sure there is no egg? Feel the abdomen for bloat/swelling or fluid too.
It does sound like she's having some crop issues, but with the other symptoms - the straining, pus-like smelly poop, I would be concerned that she has a blockage or is suffering from a reproductive problem as well.

IF she is not lethargic and you feel she can handle a soaking in a warm epsom salts bath, then I would try that. If she's not, place her in a steamed up bathroom or on moist heat (heating pad with moist towel, your heating pad needs to be rated to be used for moist heat).

I would also give her 1 teaspoon of coconut oil - refrigerate/freeze it and break into bite size chunks. Gently feel the crop and massage slightly to see if there is any hardened blockage in there.

Let us know how she is.

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

Thank you so much for replying,

Can you feel inside the vent to make sure there is no egg?
.

I thought of that as well, but when I did so yesterday, there was nothing.

It does sound like she's having some crop issues, but with the other symptoms - the straining, pus-like smelly poop, I would be concerned that she has a blockage or is suffering from a reproductive problem as well.

That's what I'm worried about... I'll check her and give her the coconut oil when I let the chickens out this morning. Hopefully an empty crop.

 

[Shadrach]

Hello ClucksAndCombs.
I think your hen may have a kidney, or liver infection/problem.
It is possible that it is just an infection and not permanent damage and a course of the right antibiotics may be worthwhile.
Crop and reproductive disorders are often a symptom of such problems rather than the cause. If I am right then the long term prospects are not good and it may just be a matter of keeping her as comfortable as possible until that point comes when she is unable or unwilling to eat and drink under her own volition.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How is she doing?

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

Sorry about lack of updates!

She is doing actually very well. She is almost normal, I'd say. Poops are solid and not in dots. Runs around with the others and gobbles up the coconut oil. Feels well enough to peck the young 'uns.

Hello ClucksAndCombs.
I think your hen may have a kidney, or liver infection/problem.
It is possible that it is just an infection and not permanent damage and a course of the right antibiotics may be worthwhile.
Crop and reproductive disorders are often a symptom of such problems rather than the cause. If I am right then the long term prospects are not good and it may just be a matter of keeping her as comfortable as possible until that point comes when she is unable or unwilling to eat and drink under her own volition.

I have noticed her sitting over the past month, it could be. Would you still recommend antibiotics with the update above?

 

[Shadrach]

Sorry about lack of updates!

She is doing actually very well. She is almost normal, I'd say. Poops are solid and not in dots. Runs around with the others and gobbles up the coconut oil. Feels well enough to peck the young 'uns.


I have noticed her sitting over the past month, it could be. Would you still recommend antibiotics with the update above?

I've never given antibiotics unless instructed to by a vet.
I can't recommend a course of action apart from taking her to a vet if she stops showing signs of recovery.

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

I've never given antibiotics unless instructed to by a vet.
I can't recommend a course of action apart from taking her to a vet if she stops showing signs of recovery.

Thank you anyways. She seems to be doing well, so we'll see.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sorry about lack of updates!

She is doing actually very well. She is almost normal, I'd say. Poops are solid and not in dots. Runs around with the others and gobbles up the coconut oil. Feels well enough to peck the young 'uns.


I have noticed her sitting over the past month, it could be. Would you still recommend antibiotics with the update above?

Glad to hear she is doing better.
Since she seems to have bounced back, I would probably hold off on antibiotic treatment and go into monitoring mode. With hens like this, I check the crop several times a week, watch to see if they are eating/drinking, relatively active and not being bothered.

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

Glad to hear she is doing better.
Since she seems to have bounced back, I would probably hold off on antibiotic treatment and go into monitoring mode. With hens like this, I check the crop several times a week, watch to see if they are eating/drinking, relatively active and not being bothered.

Thank you! Will do.