My 1yo French Black Copper Maran hen had a prolapsed vent which occurred when the vent was blocked with fecal material. I initially cleaned the vent one week ago, and began treating the prolapse with witch hazel, antibiotic salve, cortisone and vetericyn, keeping her inside with vitamins in her water (thank you everyone on this forum for advice on that stage!) I treated her 3-4x day for 5 days, as the prolapse was healing. She was eating and drinking just fine. By day 6 she seemed to eat and drink a bit less, and I thought she might be missing her flock so I put her outside in the run in a big kennel during the day so she could interact. The flock hung around with her for 2 days (inside at night) and last night (day 7) the prolapse seemed completely back inside, so I let her sleep with the flock.
This morning, I checked, and she was sitting in the back of the kennel, a little bit fluffed and breathing somewhat heavily. I brought her in, gave her another bath to clean the last of the feathers, trimmed the fluff shorter, checked the vent and dried her. She seems very thin and listless. Her breathing seems labored, and there is a little clicking sound on intake. Could she have a respiratory illness? She's been inside, its not cold her in california, and I've been giving her alternating vitamins and nutridrench in her water. I didn't see her eat yesterday, but she is showing no interest in either food or water right now.
If you've seen any of my earlier posts, this is the "bonus chick" we received last year from a breeder who was nearly dead, covered with egg yolk, and we nursed her back to health. She has been the biggest, friendliest bird in the flock, a consistent layer until this episode. Could her backstory be coming back to haunt her? How can I help my poor hen?
This morning, I checked, and she was sitting in the back of the kennel, a little bit fluffed and breathing somewhat heavily. I brought her in, gave her another bath to clean the last of the feathers, trimmed the fluff shorter, checked the vent and dried her. She seems very thin and listless. Her breathing seems labored, and there is a little clicking sound on intake. Could she have a respiratory illness? She's been inside, its not cold her in california, and I've been giving her alternating vitamins and nutridrench in her water. I didn't see her eat yesterday, but she is showing no interest in either food or water right now.
If you've seen any of my earlier posts, this is the "bonus chick" we received last year from a breeder who was nearly dead, covered with egg yolk, and we nursed her back to health. She has been the biggest, friendliest bird in the flock, a consistent layer until this episode. Could her backstory be coming back to haunt her? How can I help my poor hen?
I've given her a little "nest" ring with a towel. I'll add a heater to her room, but anything I can do immediately to help?
I was making her some eggs, and heard her scrabble frantically in the kennel and saw her stop moving. I guess that was death throes. But I will take her to UC Davis and have a necropsy done. We have had Mareks in the flock, but its been 6 months since a bird was sick. Maybe just bad luck, maybe a respiratory illness. I'll find out with the report. Thanks for your help 
