Runny white poop

[Beth Kane]

One of my 18 week old Australorps is suddenly very ill.....runny white poop , lethargic, puffed up feathers, wings drooping, eyes closed, won't eat or drink, unsteady on her feet... Just wants to lie down.
This little hen was the most lively of my flock and full of character, she uses to run everywhere at top speed and everytime a human appeared she would run straight at us to our feet, enjoyed being picked up and sitting on laps. We are all very sad to see her so sick!

 

[MandS]

Has she got a crop problem? With sour crop their poop can be like that. I think impacted crop is more or less just runny like water with a bit of white (urates) in it.

If not a crop issue, it might be an infection. The poop can be exactly the same but you may spot her drinking excessively.

Hopefully others will help you out too but I will try to check back in later to see if you've answered. Busy night, so I may be late if I don't fall asleep first.

 

[Beth Kane]

Has she got a crop problem? With sour crop their poop can be like that. I think impacted crop is more or less just runny like water with a bit of white (urates) in it.

If not a crop issue, it might be an infection. The poop can be exactly the same but you may spot her drinking excessively.

Hopefully others will help you out too but I will try to check back in later to see if you've answered. Busy night, so I may be late if I don't fall asleep first.

Thanks for your reply MandS, as far as I can feel her crop is completely empty. She hasn't eaten or drank in 3:days.....I force fed and hydrated her this evening which she swallowed .

 

[MandS]

I know I am late back but, as you might have seen, I have a bit of a problem of my own with a very poorly hen.

I hope things have improved. How's it been? Did you call the vet?

I hope she is getting better. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[Beth Kane]

I know I am late back but, as you might have seen, I have a bit of a problem of my own with a very poorly hen.

I hope things have improved. How's it been? Did you call the vet?

I hope she is getting better. Fingers crossed for you.

Hi MandS , likewise sorry for slow reply....bad week!
Sadly I lost my chicken I took her to the vet and he diagnosed Newcastle disease. It's a virus which is apparently spread by garden birds! He advised I immediately vaccinate the rest of my flock, which I have done ( given via drinking water not needle, so I could do it myself) He said even though day old chicks are vaccinated, they need a booster a few weeks later, which we weren't told. He said most chickens develope a natural strong immunity with just that one dose, others don't!
This little girl was half the size of the others, yet full of energy and character! So didn't suspect anything, and her decline was very quick...
I do hope your chicken is doing ok and that you get some answers

 

[MandS]

Thanks Beth and my condolences to you. I hope the flock are OK and it doesn't spread. You describe her as this little bundle of energy and character. You will remember that.

Sadly I lost mine yesterday. A very traumatic day for many reasons that I do not want to repeat again.

All the best to you and your flock.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for the loss of your birds @MandS and @Beth Kane . Where are you located. Did the vet test for Newcastles? That is not a common disease, and most state vets would test for it. There are milder strains of Newcastles, but if you are in the US and you had a confirmed case of exotic or virulent Newcastles, that would be a really big deal. There are many other diseases that could be a possibility, unless the vet tested for it. In California in 2018 there was an outbreak that devastated the poultry population there. Here is some reading:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ou...ease-information/avian/virulent-newcastle/vnd

https://www.gov.scot/publications/newcastle-disease/

 

[MandS]

Hi @Eggcessive. I'm in the UK and it was not Newcastles but salpingitis with mass impactation (size of a large orange).

 

[Eggcessive]

Right, I was referring to Beth Kane on the Newcastles possibility. I did read your thread about your chicken with salpingitis. It is a very common problem in hens.

 

[MandS]

Sorry, I thought you meant me! No problem and yes, it is sadly too common.

Funnily enough in 2019 I read about the Newcastle issue in California because I spent time in Monterey, Los Angeles and San Diego last January. Sounded dreadful.