RR, HARD abdomen

[chickendaddy'swife]

Hello, I have a 4 yr old RR ,has had CRD ,given antibiotics(Baytril,Tylan,etc) She's recovered but for the last 4 mos she has been walking like she has a corncob up her bum, very weak in her legs, slooow moving, her comb is a very dullgray-red. She has a great appetit,eats everything she's given. I make the garlic mash,with apples and acv added. pro biotiocs, fresh kale, melons, corn on the cob, so she eats good. Her poop is yellow/whitish, get stuck on her vent, so I wash her alot. She hasn't laid an egg in about a year... Any ideas??? I love this girl she never gives up and is the 3ed in line of Queen-ship! Keep the other younger girls in their place-below her, so she is still fistey! Her eyes are clear. I don't think she has much strenghth in her legs cause she roosts in a box ,not on the roost.
Thanks for any and all ideas.

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Whoops! Nevermind.
Sorry! Hope she gets better!

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:


At her age and with her breed combined with the age, she is probably laying internally or has ovarian cancer or both. I'm sorry, but you cannot fix either of those issues. Lost many hatchery hens, including RIRs, to egg yolk peritonitis/internal laying and some older ones to ovarian cancer. It's incurable.

Since she hasn't laid in a year, it is most likely not egg yolk peritonitis, an infection, therefore, I'd say penicillin is not going to do a thing for your poor hen.

You should read through these threads for more information:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=362422

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=195347

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...lks-update-rip-beautiful-reba/50#post_8068877

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ences-on-egg-reproduction-production-necropsy

ETA: of course, if she had CRD, she is a carrier anyway and her immune system is compromised. They don't truly recover from CRD.

 

[chickendaddy'swife]

Dear S'Hen, Thank you so much for your reply. You helped me realize that indeed you are correct about my hen, it's sad but true of her condition. The links were SO helpful. I know I must put her down and am making the vet appt. Gosh I love that silly hen!! But I don't want her to suffer anymore. Thank you again for your reply and support.
Sincerely,
chicken daddy's wife

 

[speckledhen]

I'm really sorry. I've lost so many wonderful hens just this way and I know how they worm their way into your heart.