Sick Chicken - Need Help Please!

[Kel80537]

So, her tail IS tucked down. Or maybe it’s like that because she is sleeping while standing?

She hasn’t moved from this position for over an hour…

So, her tail IS tucked down. Or maybe it’s like that because she is sleeping while standing?

She hasn’t moved from this position for over an hour…

*epsom bath

 

[Kel80537]

She could be egg bound but she looks sick. Why is she wet?

Wet from epsom salt & warm water soak

 

[Kel80537]

If the yolk is from a broken egg she could be having internal issues, including an infection.

It sounds like you're supporting her well. I hope she improves soon. Others may have more advice for things to try.

I don’t know if it was a broken egg or a shell-less egg. I found no evidence of a shell.

 

[nuthatched]

So, her tail IS tucked down. Or maybe it’s like that because she is sleeping while standing?

She hasn’t moved from this position for over an hour…

She may have a busted shell in her, she needs calcium for contractions

 

[TioBollio]

I'm far from an expert, but what have your temperatures been like? Shade, airflow?
Heat stress can really play havoc.

 

[Kel80537]

I'm far from an expert, but what have your temperatures been like? Shade, airflow?
Heat stress can really play havoc.

Hot! Very hot! But the hens have had plenary of shade and cooler places to hide out. When I’m home, they have full access to the yard and garden beds. They like to hang out under the coop when they can’t be in the yard. The other three hens seem perfectly normal. I can’t help but think the shell-less or broken egg is related to all of this.

I just fed a scrambled egg with a little apple cider vinegar. She was very enthusiastic about the half she ate. Now she’s sleeping standing again. Two hours in the same position now.

 

[Anon112]

Hopefully the calcium will help.

 

[Kel80537]

Hopefully the calcium will help.

What is the calcium supposed to help with? Is it just in case she is egg bound and to help her pass the egg? Do you have any other suspicions about what may be wrong?

 

[Anon112]

What is the calcium supposed to help with? Is it just in case she is egg bound and to help her pass the egg? Do you have any other suspicions about what may be wrong?

Here's an article about why hens need calcium: https://poultryvetcare.com/calcium-deficiency-in-laying-hens/

I don't have other ideas. Is there any swelling/fluid in the abdomen? When you feel her breastbone does it seem like she's been losing weight?

 

[Kel80537]

Here's an article about why hens need calcium: https://poultryvetcare.com/calcium-deficiency-in-laying-hens/

I don't have other ideas. Is there any swelling/fluid in the abdomen? When you feel her breastbone does it seem like she's been losing weight?

Thank you! I give the birds crushed eggshells, which don’t seem to interest them much, tbh. So, I thought maybe they had enough calcium and that’s why they didn’t want them, but I will order some oyster shell to see if that helps. One of the birds is molting. If she is as well, I guess that could be contributing.

No swelling or fluid that I can detect. Her abdomen doesn’t feel any different from the other hens, but I’m not confident I would be able to tell.

I made her an egg and mixed tums in. I do that again tomorrow. I also brought her out with the other birds and she pecked around for a little bit before she seemed to get tired. No tucked tail. Not normal but better. She also went in to roost with the others. Hopefully some rest will help and tomorrow will be a better day for her! Wish us luck!

Thanks for your help!