Showing signs of pain or discomfort

[Gencab]

Chicken Breed: Sapphire Gem
Source: Orsheln Farm and home. Unclear on hatchery.
Age: 7 months
Type: Hen
Diet: kalmbach feeds henhouse reserve with kalmbach layer feed pellets mix to 50/50

Current Symptom: Still ridged stance, downward stare, tail and back up. Lethargic. Limp and discolored comb.

Current working theory: Start of molt , cloaca or oviduct issue?

Current treatment: Isolation with access to clean water + electrolyte. Standard feed. Scrambled egg.

 

[nuthatched]

Hi there, sorry to hear about your hen.
How's her crop feel?
have you checked her for any injury?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Whole Kalmbach makes great feeds if I'm not mistaken their Henhouse Reserve is a whole grain feed rather than a pellet or crumble? If so have you been wetting it into a mash to ensure the vitamins in the powder are being eaten?

 

[Gencab]

Hi there, sorry to hear about your hen.
How's her crop feel?
have you checked her for any injury?

Hello

On inspection no sign of injury to the skin nor pulled feathers. No limp when walking.

Crop feels as expected somewhat solid and normal size for a Hen who enjoyed some feed. Apatite does not seem effected.

We plan to have her under observation for 24 hours while we work though possibilities.

 

[Gencab]

Whole Kalmbach makes great feeds if I'm not mistaken their Henhouse Reserve is a whole grain feed rather than a pellet or crumble? If so have you been wetting it into a mash to ensure the vitamins in the powder are being eaten?

We mix with Kalmbach layer feed pellets 50/50. We don't prewet the feed.

 

[nuthatched]

We mix with Kalmbach layer feed pellets 50/50. We don't prewet the feed.

for whole grain feeds, it's important to wet the feed to make sure she gets all the nutrients. Actually, cut out the whole grain feed for a while, since chickens looove to pick out the grain and leave to rest. she could be suffering from some sort of vitamin deficiency.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

We mix with Kalmbach layer feed pellets 50/50. We don't prewet the feed.

I would switch solely to the pellets and putting her on a vitamin supplement right away. If a whole grain feed is not wet to a mash in many cases the actual vitamin and nutrient dense part of the feed is not consumed.

 

[Gencab]

Got it,
Feed removed and only crumble provided. Vitamin boost supplement added to water.

Scatt looks normal and shows no sign of infection.

She does seem to be attempting to lay an egg. Appears to have some difficulty or strain. Is it a safe assumption that a vitamin deficiency would cause this as well?

 

[Gencab]

Update.
She has made a recovery. 2 days and no sign or recurrence. The problem turned out to be a soft egg causing strain and discomfort for the hen. Cause is assumed to be from low calcium intake. Out of 30 she seems to be the only hen effected but have introduced crushed eggshell as well as some calcium rich treats.

We are taking the feed direction under advisement with some adjustments.

Thank you to the community for your help.

 

[Sally PB]

Cause is assumed to be from low calcium intake.

Pop a calcium citrate tablet into her beak. This can help with egg passing issues. It can't hurt her either, so there's no worry about doing it.