Sick chicken/info on how to transition back to cold weather

[bmetz]

Vitamins are not to be given at the same time while on Corid, and I would not mix Corid with anything else. Make sure that she is drinking well, and Corid water may even be mixed into some chicken feed to get more into her. Has she been laying eggs recently? She should be laying in her first season most every day. There could be some sort of reproductive disorder if she is not laying. Coccidiosis could be a problem, but she should have gotten resistance built up by now unless she has an underlying problem with immunity. We always consider something like Mareks in the first year if they have problems with walking or immunity. It probably would not hurt to check for egg binding by inserting a finger into the vent one inch.

I would keep her inside until certain that feet are not frostbitten or damaged. I would not put anything on them right now, and do not massage or handle them. If she is chilled, she may need some extra warmth, since sick chickens cannot regulate their temps. It is always hard in extreme winter weather, dealing with a sick chicken because of getting them used to the cold again. When the droppings have dried you may be able to pull some of it off, or trim the poopy area slightly.

She is drinking and eating well. I just did Corid tonight when refilled water. I am pretty sure that she is the one who never lays. Didn't seem like she had anything necessarily wrong other than not laying(which she has never done really) until this stuff happened. What would definitely tell me if Mareks? If Mareks what would you do? What is best way to trim her up? Just cut or is there a better way to do it? Now some poop falls like normal poop...some still getting stuck bc more runny at times.

 

[bmetz]

Here are some pictures as requested.
Redness more visible in this one.

One of the most normal poops she has had. Others are just liquid basically the color of the feed crumbles. (Could have had some normal outside too but when I saw- was not normal) Wish this was her new normal, but still had liquid only today too ..no good pics bc she got food all over.

Looks pale in color, small for both comb and wattle compared to "sisters"

Here is what I mean by kind of ruffled/hunched up etc. Maybe I am imagining it but different than others. She is drinking water out of her temporary water dish here so it is more exaggerated/leaned down some more etc

 

[bmetz]

A little solid poo overnight and seemed to be pretty much all liquid today-smell is equivalent to just urine, is there a reason she would have just urine basically?

 

[Cragg Klefor]

A little solid poo overnight and seemed to be pretty much all liquid today-smell is equivalent to just urine, is there a reason she would have just urine basically?

Any thoughts on temp I should try to keep in sun room or just worry about that down the line? Don't want too cold for her but don't want it to hurt her in long run either.

For now I would just keep her warm and worry about lowering the temp once she gains some strength and seems a lot better.

I am pretty sure that she is the one who never lays. Didn't seem like she had anything necessarily wrong other than not laying(which she has never done really) until this stuff happened.

Looking at her stance (that hump near her tail) and with the above information I really would wonder about a reproductive disorder. Sometimes antibiotics can help if an infection has set in. Unfortunately reproductive disorders are all too common in chickens. I have a little one with a reproductive disorder and when it flares up I need to trim her feathers to keep them from being soiled also, and it is really difficult to get her to eat. So when she is really bad she lives on cooked egg, tuna and plain yogurt. She comes round after a couple of weeks, but I know one of these days she won't come round and her time will be up.

What is best way to trim her up? Just cut or is there a better way to do it?

Yes, I just cut the feathers. Cut them short, but not right up to the skin as it can cause irritation. I usually leave about half an inch close to the skin. Others may have more ideas.

Looks pale in color, small for both comb and wattle compared to "sisters"

Again this can point to reproductive system being shut down.

I would finish out her round of corid, and see how she is then. Are her feet looking any better by the way?

You have her in a good place, keep her inside for now so she is as comfortable as she can be. I find they wil normally drink by themselves with reproductive issues (if that is what she has), but I will often need to temp them to eat. Sometimes even holding food up to their beaks will work.
Let us know how she is doing!

 

[Cragg Klefor]

A little solid poo overnight and seemed to be pretty much all liquid today-smell is equivalent to just urine, is there a reason she would have just urine basically?

This could point towards a few things, one of them being that food simply is not getting through. Do you know how to check her crop function?

To check her crop: Keep food and water away from her tonight, then first thing in the morning before she eats or drinks anything, feel her crop (on right side of her breast below her neckline) It should be completely empty. During the day and until roosting time the crop should have food and water in it and can feel soft, hard, squishy and all kinds of ways. But first thing in the morning it should be empty. If it is not empty there is a problem.

I would also urge you to check her abdomen for any signs of swelling or bloating. Cup your hand underneath her between her legs and feel back towards her vent. Swelling or bloating would suggest a reproductive issue. This could be another reason for abnormal poop!

 

[bmetz]

For now I would just keep her warm and worry about lowering the temp once she gains some strength and seems a lot better.

Looking at her stance (that hump near her tail) and with the above information I really would wonder about a reproductive disorder. Sometimes antibiotics can help if an infection has set in. Unfortunately reproductive disorders are all too common in chickens. I have a little one with a reproductive disorder and when it flares up I need to trim her feathers to keep them from being soiled also, and it is really difficult to get her to eat. So when she is really bad she lives on cooked egg, tuna and plain yogurt. She comes round after a couple of weeks, but I know one of these days she won't come round and her time will be up.

Yes, I just cut the feathers. Cut them short, but not right up to the skin as it can cause irritation. I usually leave about half an inch close to the skin. Others may have more ideas.

Again this can point to reproductive system being shut down.

I would finish out her round of corid, and see how she is then. Are her feet looking any better by the way?

You have her in a good place, keep her inside for now so she is as comfortable as she can be. I find they wil normally drink by themselves with reproductive issues (if that is what she has), but I will often need to temp them to eat. Sometimes even holding food up to their beaks will work.

She eats and drinks well and loves any treats(have basically limited since having poo issues- usually a little bread- this morning she had a spinach leaf-didn't want to give too much in case caused an issue)

Let us know how she is doing!

Ok that is what I figured

Yes, I think she laid a "lash egg" today? I am not sure the poor girl is not in pain/discomfort with all the issues going on etc. She is pretty thin although she eats and drinks well. Wondering at what point it would be more humane to euthanize her. I don't want to rush it but also don't want to wait until she is suffering a lot. Awww, sorry to hear that. She has someone great taking care of her- it is clear you love and care for her very much! Thank you for the great tips!

Ok thank you- figured not too short like you said but wasn't 100% sure on it either. Is there an easy way to hold to do this if you don't have someone to help? She is not a willing participant lol-a biter!

Feet seem about the same-maybe a little less red etc. Is getting around ok at least. She is anxious inside also-she makes many noises like a baby chick/young chicken would do. She would do that outside on the roost also before bedtime. (Lol my brother was laughing when I said they were all in their bed the other night after I went out with them haha)

She eats and drinks well and loves any treats(have basically limited since having poo issues- usually a little bread- this morning she had a spinach leaf-didn't want to give too much in case caused an issue)

I will post a picture of the possible "lash egg"

Thank you for all of your help and advice!

 

[bmetz]

For now I would just keep her warm and worry about lowering the temp once she gains some strength and seems a lot better.

Looking at her stance (that hump near her tail) and with the above information I really would wonder about a reproductive disorder. Sometimes antibiotics can help if an infection has set in. Unfortunately reproductive disorders are all too common in chickens. I have a little one with a reproductive disorder and when it flares up I need to trim her feathers to keep them from being soiled also, and it is really difficult to get her to eat. So when she is really bad she lives on cooked egg, tuna and plain yogurt. She comes round after a couple of weeks, but I know one of these days she won't come round and her time will be up.


Yes, I just cut the feathers. Cut them short, but not right up to the skin as it can cause irritation. I usually leave about half an inch close to the skin. Others may have more ideas.

Again this can point to reproductive system being shut down.

I would finish out her round of corid, and see how she is then. Are her feet looking any better by the way?

You have her in a good place, keep her inside for now so she is as comfortable as she can be. I find they wil normally drink by themselves with reproductive issues (if that is what she has), but I will often need to temp them to eat. Sometimes even holding food up to their beaks will work.
Let us know how she is doing!

Here is what I think is a lash egg. It is hard. Also a pic of poo/ excessive amount of urine overnight. I switched to the pad as she was having so much liquid. Figured would be better for her and easier to clean than the shavings underneath. Maybe will poop better now with that out? Outlook doesn't sound great if lash egg.There was blood on it also. Poor girl.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes it looks like a lash egg. You can slice it in half as well for a picture if you want.

 

[Eggcessive]

You may want to treat her with antibiotics such as Baytril for her salpingitis which causes the lash egg. Dosage is 0.05ml per pound twice a day. A 5 pound hen would get 0.25 ml of this product twice a day. https://allbirdproducts.com/products/baytril-10

Also, since she is having watery droppings, you might want to give her a liile cooked rice with buttermilk or cottage cheese along with her usual feed.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Ok that is what I figured

Yes, I think she laid a "lash egg" today? I am not sure the poor girl is not in pain/discomfort with all the issues going on etc. She is pretty thin although she eats and drinks well. Wondering at what point it would be more humane to euthanize her. I don't want to rush it but also don't want to wait until she is suffering a lot. Awww, sorry to hear that. She has someone great taking care of her- it is clear you love and care for her very much! Thank you for the great tips!

Ok thank you- figured not too short like you said but wasn't 100% sure on it either. Is there an easy way to hold to do this if you don't have someone to help? She is not a willing participant lol-a biter!

Feet seem about the same-maybe a little less red etc. Is getting around ok at least. She is anxious inside also-she makes many noises like a baby chick/young chicken would do. She would do that outside on the roost also before bedtime. (Lol my brother was laughing when I said they were all in their bed the other night after I went out with them haha)

She eats and drinks well and loves any treats(have basically limited since having poo issues- usually a little bread- this morning she had a spinach leaf-didn't want to give too much in case caused an issue)

I will post a picture of the possible "lash egg"

Thank you for all of your help and advice!

Awww, sorry to hear that. She has someone great taking care of her- it is clear you love and care for her very much!

Aw thank you. If only love could cure them!!!

Yes I agree with you it looks like lash
Do you still have that piece of lash material? If you do, I would cut it open to confirm lash, although it certainly looks like it anyway. Inside it normally looks kind of fibrous.

To cut her feathers if she is not very compliant.. you can wrap a towel around her and lie her on her side, cover her head lightly with something (this quietens them right down and they stop fighting) then you can concentrate on cutting those feathers.
I normally will hold the chicken kinda like a football under one arm, but with them facing behind me so I can cut the feathers with my other hand, but this chicken in particular is really quiet and just waits for me to finish, she's a darling. The towel works great for others if there is no one to help out.

Some people have said they have cured chickens with salpingitis, but it is imperative to catch the infection early. So I think it would be at least worth giving antibiotics a try. When they pass some lash material they will have a huge sense of relief so she may be a lot better in herself now for a while anyway..

Oh yes, I also get laughed at for tucking them in