Sick Favs Pullet - Lethargic, No Appetite, Pale Comb

[juliect]

I have a 20 week old Salmon Faverolles pullet that is really sick and I need advice.

-Two weeks ago, I noticed that she was always lagging behind the rest of the flock. I didn't think much of it at the time because Favs aren't exactly built for speed.

- Four days ago she went completely lethargic and wouldn't leave the coop. She was in the corner, with her head pulled inward and her comb was almost white. I immediately isolated her from the rest of the flock and brought her into to a 60 degree spare bathroom. Her appetite was decreasing daily until she quit eating late Friday.

- This afternoon I started force feeding her baby food and water w/ Quik Chik added.

- About an hour ago, she made a gagging motion and has since been holding her beak open. I don't know if this was because I may have caused her to strangle by feeding her or if it is an additional symptom.

- Also, I don't know if it is important, but she always goes to a wall or corner to lay down. If I set her down in the middle of her box she will walk over and put her head in the corner. I set her on the bathroom floor after feeding and she walked straight to the wall and laid her head against it.

Any suggestions?

 

[usschicago1]

Mu uneducated guess is since you sad she is truint to throw up she ate something toxic.
So i would try to make her throw up or feed her breed and oil.

 

[usschicago1]

Bump*

 

[chickenzoo]

White comb seems like she's anemic, when was she wormed last? Coccidia possible ? No lice or mites around vent? Is she wheezing in her chest? Was she wheezing before she drank or could something gone in her lungs. Try feeding scrambled eggs..... If giving fluids take a syringe and a piece of tubing that you can fit on the end of it, you'll need about 4 inches. Open chickens mouth and right behind tongue is a air hole.... STAY AWAY FROM THAT. Aim towards the side of throat over top and past that hole with the tube, then slowly dribble a vitamin/ water mix ..... little at a time.
if you think she got fluid in her lungs you can get a Baby Goat syringe or a long soft tube, with a big syringe attached to it. Do the same as I mentioned about giving liquid, but go over airway and down throat into the croup... you will see the tube hitting inside the croup. Suck out anything with the syringe in a quick motion and pull out the tube fast.... see if she can breath better.... Best Wishes.

 

[juliect]

Quote:
Considering it started days ago, I assume it would be too late to make her vomit, if something toxic was the cause.

But out of curiosity, how do you make a chicken throw up? I know how to make a dog vomit, thanks to my youngest. She is an eat-first-ask-questions-later kind of dog.

 

[usschicago1]

I have heard of people putting them upside down and massaging there crops. I have also read it can damage there lungs if you do it for a lone time so you have to ask if the benifits outway the risks. Just like alot of things with chicken keeping

 

[juliect]

Quote:
She hasn't been wormed at all.
Cocci, while possible, is doubtful since they've been on medicated starter/grower since day one.
No lice or mites.
She wasn't wheezing until after her last feeding session, so I may have gotten fluid in her lungs.
Thank you so much for the instructions! Sheesh, chicken keeping is not for the squeamish!

 

[chickenzoo]

Coccidia is still possible. I get chicks with it even on wire bottom cages and them getting medicated starter the whole time. Medicated starter just helps keep it away... not 100%. you see blood only in the later stages after damage is being done inside. You can get Corid at TSC. Same stuff that is in medicated feed but stronger, and give him/her some in the mouth as well as in the water. Pretty safe stuff. Here in Humid FL we deal with it a lot. I'd start with what is easiest and go from there. If you can find a vet to do a fecal cheaply, that may be your best bet.... Best Wishes.

 

[juliect]

Quote:
I haven't ruled out cocciidia, as my pets vet said when I asked about the possibility of disease even with vaccinations..."the only guarantee in life, is that there are no guarantees".
Sadly there are no avian vets in my area.
Once again, thank you for the advice! It is greatly appreciated. She is one of my favorites and I would hate to lose her.

 

[juliect]

The little pullet passed away this morning. I will miss her so much.

Thanks for all your help and thoughtfulness.