Sick Australorp!

[chalidobrenz]

I've got a big 2yo hen who last laid Tuesday. Wednesday she was kind of sluggish, not her normal, quick self. I brought out the treats and she ran over and ate, so I thought maybe she was just having an off day. So yesterday, I saw that she was pretty still in the yard, kind of squatting. Hadnt laid since Tuesday. I saw one of her droppings, and it was yellow and clear. Immediately I thought broken egg. So I brought her in, gave her a warm bath, blow dried her, she's in a hot humid bathroom. My vet isn't in til Monday. My chicken is visibly uncomfortable. I would think if it were peritonitis she'd be gone by now, no? Her crop is emptying slowly. She's got some food and mostly water in it. I've fed her a little yogurt. But she's not got much for an appetite. At this point, I don't know what's going on. I'll worm her today just in case. Any suggestions? Thoughts? Please help.. I just love this bird.

 

[chalidobrenz]

She's at the vet now. Started drooling and snorting.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've got a big 2yo hen who last laid Tuesday. Wednesday she was kind of sluggish, not her normal, quick self. I brought out the treats and she ran over and ate, so I thought maybe she was just having an off day. So yesterday, I saw that she was pretty still in the yard, kind of squatting. Hadnt laid since Tuesday. I saw one of her droppings, and it was yellow and clear. Immediately I thought broken egg. So I brought her in, gave her a warm bath, blow dried her, she's in a hot humid bathroom. My vet isn't in til Monday. My chicken is visibly uncomfortable. I would think if it were peritonitis she'd be gone by now, no? Her crop is emptying slowly. She's got some food and mostly water in it. I've fed her a little yogurt. But she's not got much for an appetite. At this point, I don't know what's going on. I'll worm her today just in case. Any suggestions? Thoughts? Please help.. I just love this bird.

If she were "egg bound" (an egg stuck in the oviduct) she most likely would be gone by now.

Peritonitis is internal laying. Penguin stance, swollen abdomen and sometimes yellow (egg yolk color) poo are some of the symptoms. Peritonitis is an egg or eggs that have traveled back up the oviduct and dropped into the abdominal cavity which in turn causes swelling and ultimately infection. The fluids/infection can build up and cause respiratory distress and even heart failure. Antibiotics can be used to help with infection and give supportive care. Some people are also able to give some relief by having the abdomen drained.

http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/6-causes-of-swollen-abdomen-in-chickens-2/

 

[chalidobrenz]

She died at the veterinary office.

They'll be doing a necropsy to make sure it's nothing transmissible to my other birds.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss.