Shaking head

[missmychicks]

My 3 year old post menopausal hen is slightly lethargic , but still eating and drinking, yellow diarrhea x 3 days and she is shaking her head almost like bugs are bothering her (but I've inspected her and the other birds who are asymptomatic, as well as the coop and there no signs of mites etc on the birds or coop). She is isolated and will deworm asap. Electrolytes in water, fed her an half a piece of bread soaked in an egg. There will not be a vet in our area for over a week. Any advice welcomed!!!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My 3 year old post menopausal hen is slightly lethargic , but still eating and drinking, yellow diarrhea x 3 days and she is shaking her head almost like bugs are bothering her (but I've inspected her and the other birds who are asymptomatic, as well as the coop and there no signs of mites etc on the birds or coop). She is isolated and will deworm asap. Electrolytes in water, fed her an half a piece of bread soaked in an egg. There will not be a vet in our area for over a week. Any advice welcomed!!!!

Look inside her ears for any sign of infection.

Check her crop to make sure it's emptying overnight.

What is post menopausal? Do you mean she's not laying eggs/production has stopped?

It may be that she's having some reproductive difficulties. Cancer, Salpingitis, EYP, etc., can be common in laying hens.

Since she's lethargic, see that she's drinking well and try to encourage her to eat. She may also benefit from extra Calcium for several days to see if she is having an issue expelling lash material or egg matter. 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 would be good to give, just pull down on her wattles and pop the tablet right into the beak.

 

[missmychicks]

Look inside her ears for any sign of infection.

Check her crop to make sure it's emptying overnight.

What is post menopausal? Do you mean she's not laying eggs/production has stopped?

It may be that she's having some reproductive difficulties. Cancer, Salpingitis, EYP, etc., can be common in laying hens.

Since she's lethargic, see that she's drinking well and try to encourage her to eat. She may also benefit from extra Calcium for several days to see if she is having an issue expelling lash material or egg matter. 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 would be good to give, just pull down on her wattles and pop the tablet right into the beak.

I have been giving her calcium. She seems to be affected by the heat (although we have many places of shade, fresh cold water etc). Is it weird that one chicken would be affected by heat and not others (*note-she is our only white chicken, others are various colors-brown, black etc). She is one of our "mutt hens", Americana plus....unknown. Her sister died last year-necropsy was inconclusive. We got her during that time when it was hard to find chicks, but her other clutch mate seems to be fine. Should I still deworm/Corid her and the flock? We have 3 6 week old chicks (from a breeder, Mareck's vaccinated) that are about to go in the same run. Worried!!

 

[missmychicks]

*henopausal Hasn't laid in weeks.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have been giving her calcium. She seems to be affected by the heat (although we have many places of shade, fresh cold water etc). Is it weird that one chicken would be affected by heat and not others (*note-she is our only white chicken, others are various colors-brown, black etc). She is one of our "mutt hens", Americana plus....unknown. Her sister died last year-necropsy was inconclusive. We got her during that time when it was hard to find chicks, but her other clutch mate seems to be fine. Should I still deworm/Corid her and the flock? We have 3 6 week old chicks (from a breeder, Mareck's vaccinated) that are about to go in the same run. Worried!!

Heat can be hard on heavy laying hens. If they are having some reproductive problems, then heat can make it worse. If she's not laid in weeks, then she may be having a hard time passing some lash material or egg material. I'd try giving her the Calcium to see if she expels anything.

It would be up to you if you wish to treat for worms or treat for Coccidiosis. Treating for both may help, but it may not do any good either depending on what's ailing her.