Seasonal puffy chickens

[nakitaj11]

It seems that around this time of year we always have one chicken that gets puffed up, is lethargic, non-social, not laying. We lost the first one, we were able to save the second one, and unfortunately lost one this past night after days of trying to nurse her back to health. I treated her for both impacted crop and also in case she was egg-bound. Soaked her in warm baths, vasaline around the vent, checked for an egg but did not feel anything. I read on here to feed her coconut oil and then massage the crop since it was not draining. It was not hard and she did not smell but it wasn't emptying. We also gave her Calcium citrate with Vit D. I am just not sure what is happening. The food we feed has enough calcium in it that we do not need to supplement (supposedly - according to the local food mill we purchase feed from). They all went through a molt around Oct/Nov and production slowed which is normal, but no soft eggs. We increase the protein in the feed around this time. I am not sure if it is a lack of calcium. If we should be adding liquid calcium to their water? If the issue sounds like Cocci and there is a medication we should be doing? I try to keep things as natural as possible but also want to make sure our flock of (now) 17 is healthy. Please help. Thank you.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss.

How old was she?

Sometimes once molt is over and a hen starts to come back into lay, any type of reproduction issues they may have can begin causing some symptoms you describe.

It's extremely hard to know what has caused a decline without doing a necropsy, either have one professionally done through your state lab which will give you the most information or you can do your own at home, taking note of any abnormalities that you see.

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...9N1ZC20N7MvaDrZ6J_36lnyncTmZw5PqgB2BgnJlHtgKX

 

[nakitaj11]

I'm sorry for your loss.

How old was she?

Sometimes once molt is over and a hen starts to come back into lay, any type of reproduction issues they may have can begin causing some symptoms you describe.

It's extremely hard to know what has caused a decline without doing a necropsy, either have one professionally done through your state lab which will give you the most information or you can do your own at home, taking note of any abnormalities that you see.

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...9N1ZC20N7MvaDrZ6J_36lnyncTmZw5PqgB2BgnJlHtgKX

Thanks. She was one of our original 4. She was 5 years old. A Rhode Island Red.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Bathing or soaking is very hard on sick chickens, and can sometimes push them over the edge. Also, take care massaging a crop if it is enlarged and puffy/squishy, since it could cause aspiration of crop contents. Older hens will take a break from laying when daylight hours are shorter. Many times I have lost chickens at 4,5, or 6 from reproductive disorders or cancer. I usually do a home necropsy to look at and take pictures of the organs to post here. Your state vet can also do a more thorough one to look for a cause of death.

 

[nakitaj11]

Sorry for your loss. Bathing or soaking is very hard on sick chickens, and can sometimes push them over the edge. Also, take care massaging a crop if it is enlarged and puffy/squishy, since it could cause aspiration of crop contents. Older hens will take a break from laying when daylight hours are shorter. Many times I have lost chickens at 4,5, or 6 from reproductive disorders or cancer. I usually do a home necropsy to look at and take pictures of the organs to post here. Your state vet can also do a more thorough one to look for a cause of death.

Everything I have read on here has said if you think the hen is egg bound to let them soak in a warm bath to help soothe and relieve the muscles. Are you saying this is not a good thing to do? Thanks.