She's just sitting around doing nothing - UPDATE pg. 3

[Lothiriel]

My 3 year old Black Australorp hen has lately been sitting around outside doing nothing. She has eaten very little - she ate a bit of the strawberries that I gave them all this morning, but so far I have not seen her eat anything else for a few days. I have not noticed much poo, but what I have seen is runny and brownish with no white. She is also losing weight - she had been a good sized hen, but now I can feel the exact out line of her breastbone. Her comb and wattles are a regular red. She is breathing normally, and makes her noise normally as well. (She's a noisy chicken.

) I've been thinking it might be worms. I searched "worms" but none of the topics had the same symptoms. Anyone have an idea what could be causing this? I'll have to treat her here at home, on account of there not being a vet around our area that treats chickens. None of the other hens are acting this way. What is it? Thanks in advance to all!

 

[jjthink]

So many possibilities.

Has she ever been wormed and if so, when and with what?

Is she laying eggs? When was the last one?

What are the day and nighttime temps where you are?

What is her diet normally?

Is oyster shell available to the hens all the time?
JJ

 

[Lothiriel]

Has she ever been wormed and if so, when and with what? - No. none of my hens have ever been wormed. (Not a good start, prolly.

)

Is she laying eggs? When was the last one? - She hasn't laid an egg for about a month.

What are the day and nighttime temps where you are? - Days have been in the upper 70s and low 80s.

What is her diet normally? - Bugs, grass, and Dumor pellets.

Is oyster shell available to the hens all the time? - No. I gave up trying because they wouldn't touch it at all.

And thank you for asking these Q's, JJ.

 

[jjthink]

Hmmmm.....

She may be an internal layer.......hope not. Complicated. You can read alot about this on BYC. I had a hen with this - Betty - who responded for awhile with antibiotics and antiinflammatories.

If it's worms (this would be preferable) Ivomec Eprinex pour on should do the trick (if not tape worm). You can order on line (but I would hurry) or get at a Tractor Supply or other similar store. I have plenty - wish we lived in closer proximity - I'd give it to you. A small amount is placed on the back of their necks/between the shoulder blades.

I would have oyster shell available 24/7 even if they don't seem to touch it much if at all.

Given her weight loss and lack of eating, she may benefit from a nutritional boost such as Avia Charge 2000 in her water (assuming you can get her to drink - you may have to slowly gently dribble very small amount along her beak line, so she can control the swallowing). Likely would need to order on line - in the meantime you could offer a couple days of Durvet Poultry V&E in her water.

Try anything to get fluids into her, and some food. Scrambled egg, yogurt, small amounts of fruits and veggies, sunflower seeds (unsalted). If she's really feeling sick this is going to be difficult.

Are you able to check her closely for bugs, e.g. mites?

The temps in your area are okay - she should be reasonably comfy. In NJ right now the heat index is about 100. Tomorrow forecasted to be worse. In these kind of temps, a sick bird needs to be rescued and kept in a stress free quiet environment in cooler temps.

You may need to separate her so you can keep a close eye on what she's eating (or not) and what she's pooping (or not), unless you are able to tell in her current location. If any of the other birds bother her, she'll need to be separated..

Keep us posted. I'm so sorry - I know the worry. Hopefully others will come along who have additional insights /experience with your girl's symptoms.
JJ

 

[kinnip]

Could it be just her legs that are the problem?

 

[sammi]

could be several things...

can she walk normally?

check the crop and make sure it is emptying properly..check for any lumps, or grainy feeling..
also check the mouth and throat for any whitish or yellowish sores or any sour odor.

do check her for mites.
when they are ill, or "down"..they are more vulnerable.

she could have worms.
she could have cocci.
a fecal float at a vet would tell you if she has worms or cocci.

is she wheezing, or have wet or swollen eyes, or any mucus?

feel the belly/vent area for any swelling or heat.
check the vent for any drainage.

it's possible she needs treatment for rickets..

and if she isn't eating..she needs protein and vitamins..(if she doesn't have cocci)

there are other things it could be..
but will wait for your reply.

 

[Lothiriel]

Welllllll.... I have a feeling it's what you said, JJ - internal layer. I went out to let them outside a little while ago, and I felt her abdomen, and it's swollen and quite warm. Her comb is not purple yet, but that's how it was with my other hen, Winnie. (There's a thread on her already.) I will put some oyster shell out there. I also think I'll try making her a scrambled egg. I'm not too keen on separating her. The last time I did this with another hen, she would not touch anything I gave her - not even her water. I'm afraid if I do this to Gabby she'll get even worse. As far as I can see, the other hens leave her alone and don't bother her.
I might also look into getting some worm medicines. Even if they aren't what's causing the problem, it won't hurt.

She can walk normally, and yesterday she was running a bit. Her crop had a little stuff in it last night, and it is empty now. Her mouth and throat are normal with no sores or odors. (We were "aaahhh"ing at each other.

) She is not wheezing, has no swollen eyes, and as far as I can tell there is no mucous. I did notice that the feathers below her vent have white stuff on them. That might be drainage. Not sure.

Oh, and what's rickkets? I'm afraid I've never heard of it.

I'll ask my mom about the fecal sample. Our regular vet is quite expensive, so maybe I'll have to do it myself with our microscope. (Even though it doesn't sound too pleasant...

)

Thank you all for your advice. I'll look into many of these things. You know so much more about it than I do.

 

[Lothiriel]

Ok. I just went out to gather eggs, and Gabby was still sitting on the roost. She didn't go outside at all yet this morning. I felt her crop and it felt slightly squishy, but ther were no lumps or bumps that felt like she'd eaten anything. As I was palpating it, she "burped."

I thought that it was just a noise, so continued massaging her crop. Then she did it again and it began to smell really bad. I came to the conclusion that she has air in her crop. Is this an impacted crop?

Should I continue to sort of squeeze the crop to make all the air come out? I have no clue as to what all this is.

 

[Lothiriel]

ok. please help! her crop is full of green liquid!! she is eating a few bugs, but that's it!! i was slightly squeezing her crop, and all of a sudden i hear a gurgling noise and she put her head down and green liquid and a few small bugs came rushing out of her mouth! please help!! what is wrong with my Gabby?!

edited: Found out that it's a sour crop. we have some yogurt, so i'll give her some, after i make her sick (kindly, as i don't want to stress her out.)

here's the link where i found some good info for crop problems:
http://wiki.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk/index.php/Crop_Problems

 

[jjthink]

Lothiriel, I'm rooting for you on this. It does sound like she has sour crop (at least one of her problems anyway - still concerned about the egg end of things but first things first).
Wishing you every success in treating the sour crop. Plain yogurt with live cultures (they usually are live culture) - as that article said, if she won;t take it voluntarily you might have to ever so slowly and gently syringe a bit into her - the teeeniest amount at a time so she doesn't choke....... - with any luck she'll just eat the stuff on her own!

Keep us posted.
JJ