Sick Chicken.

[SarieVol]

Hi all. I'm looking of advice for treating one of my 5 hens (Isa Browns). Other four are well and showing no signs of illness, however one of my girls, Cabbage, has been sick the past few days. Today is the fourth day now. All hens are young, a little under a year old. I noticed her one the first day of appearing sick that she felt lighter too, so has lost weight. For the first day she was pooping mainly water stools, which she is now doing runny ones but with a bit of white and green. She has been very sleepy, occasionally wandering around but yesterday she mainly slept when isolated. She had bit of a poopy but from the runny stools so I bathed her bottom with warm water and baby shampoo.

I made some hydration solution, and also had fresh water and offered her grapes, kiwi fruit, minced meat and veg, and mushy pellets. She has had little bits here and there, but yesterday she kept nodding off fatigued. They normally love a bit of yoghurt, however she wasn't interested.
She isn't coughing, no injury to her body. Wattle isnt pale, it's still a good colour. Feathers look a bit sad and sorry. Eyes look ok, no discharge. Symptoms are mainly lethargy (though she can still stand and walk sometimes when not sleeping), diarrhea and trouble eating.
Coop and pen has been kept clean, though we have been getting a few pigeons lately that I've had to shoo away.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Is her crop functioning correctly? Flat crop in the morning, checked before she has access to food or water? Have you checked her over really well for lice and/or mites, well after dark using a headlamp? Do you have a vet that can run a fecal float for you? Or a vet that will check her over? Has she started laying eggs?

 

[SarieVol]

Unfortunately she passed this morning soon after I checked on her. We buried her under our apricot tree. I miss her, she was much loved my dear girl Cabbage. I checked her for mites, however couldn't see any. I will keep an eye on the other girls and if one shows any signs of sickness I will take arrange a vet visit.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Unfortunately she passed this morning soon after I checked on her. We buried her under our apricot tree. I miss her, she was much loved my dear girl Cabbage. I checked her for mites, however couldn't see any. I will keep an eye on the other girls and if one shows any signs of sickness I will take arrange a vet visit.

I am so sorry for your loss. Hopefully the rest of your flock won't have any problems and will live long happy and healthy lives I wish you the best. Thank you for updating.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I am very sorry you lost your dear Cabbage. It is likely she had a problem with her reproductive system. Various reproductive disorders are the most common cause of death for red sexlink varieties including ISA Browns.

If you sooner or later have another ISA hen exhibit similiar symptoms, it doesn't mean you have done anything wrong. I currently have approx. 20 ISA Brown hens, and I have had over 100 total. Even though I never cull my hens no matter how old they get, the sad truth is most of my ISAs die during their 3rd year. Their eggs are big and beautiful, but their little bodies pay a high price.