Sick Chick

[keenkath]

My almost 2 year old RIR is sick. Her tail has been down for 3 days, belly swollen and vent seems to be pumping. Poop started out as watery. Isolated her indoors. Yesterday, I soaked her in warm water for about 10 mins and after a rest, inspected for egg binding. While poop squirted out with each inspection, one time there was an almost liquid fleshy substance that came out. Done a few warm water soaks and no change. She's eating baby oatmeal with crushed oyster shells and cheese pieces. She's drinking water and comb is slightly pale. Poop then turned white and not runny, but still waddling like a penguin and just sits back down. Any suggestions to try at home? I have not wormed chickens and live in Vermont. It has been very warm and then we've finally started to have a northeast winter with temps in the teens. I have a heat lamp in my coop as it is usually below 32 and chickens prefer to stay in coop.

 

[Birdrain92]

My almost 2 year old RIR is sick. Her tail has been down for 3 days, belly swollen and vent seems to be pumping. Poop started out as watery. Isolated her indoors. Yesterday, I soaked her in warm water for about 10 mins and after a rest, inspected for egg binding. While poop squirted out with each inspection, one time there was an almost liquid fleshy substance that came out. Done a few warm water soaks and no change. She's eating baby oatmeal with crushed oyster shells and cheese pieces. She's drinking water and comb is slightly pale. Poop then turned white and not runny, but still waddling like a penguin and just sits back down. Any suggestions to try at home? I have not wormed chickens and live in Vermont. It has been very warm and then we've finally started to have a northeast winter with temps in the teens. I have a heat lamp in my coop as it is usually below 32 and chickens prefer to stay in coop.

Welcome to BYC! Just to help us to help you, you need pictures of the feces and your chicken. This can help us the most. Also posting in the Emergency and Disease section.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[N F C]

Sorry to hear your girl is ill. Here's a link to the emergency forum mentioned:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

I hope she's better soon. Good luck!

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC. So sorry to hear about your girl. Hope she gets better soon.

 

[drumstick diva]

I would take her to the vet rather than risk loosing her.

 

[Millsa]

I had a similar with my barnyard mix. Swollen belly. Liquid poop. My girl still laid eggs through it all. I would massage her daily - and gave her salt baths every other day - FINALLY the swelling went down. She now walks normally again. Im still waiting for her to have a solid poop and will spend time with her today to hopefully witness that. She had her swollen belly for about a week perhaps 2 weeks. Took me a second to realize she was waddling and to hold her and compare her bellies to the other hens. Anway we are on the mend. Hope yours is too. My poultry vet is over and hour away. So finding care for my hens often falls to me. I was afraid she had water belly but.. she didnt. Best wishes for your hen.

 

[Marie2020]

Hello and

I suppose you have already tried the probiotics and electrolytes water... I make mine with honey and himalayan salt. As @Millsa has said salt soaking can help, I use Epson salt.

It's not always easy to find a vet for our chickens, I have been in the same situation.
There are many people here that will have ideas for you. I really hope you find your answers soon

As for worming I found fenbendazole pretty good and can be purchased online. But be careful how much you use. I split one tablet into 10 doses.

Also pumpkin seeds is believed to be a good worm deterrent. Oregano and thyme is thought to have antibiotic bennifits. Again you can find alternative remedies online

 

[Burnt Brass Homestead]

Hi @keenkath

Welcome!

 

[Millsa]

Hello and

I suppose you have already tried the probiotics and electrolytes water... I make mine with honey and himalayan salt. As @Millsa has said salt soaking can help, I use Epson salt.

It's not always easy to find a vet for our chickens, I have been in the same situation.
There are many people here that will have ideas for you. I really hope you find your answers soon

As for worming I found fenbendazole pretty good and can be purchased online. But be careful how much you use. I split one tablet into 10 doses.

Also pumpkin seeds is believed to be a good worm deterrent. Oregano and thyme is thought to have antibiotic bennifits. Again you can find alternative remedies online

Oh yes. The whole flock is getting electorlytes and apple cider vinegar in the water as well!!!