Sick hen! Doesn't look good, help!

[Ailbhe12]

Hey guys, looking for help with a sick hen, all my hens are ex-batts and I've lost 4 out of 9 because of what ever this illness is . The first girl I found too late and she passed away overnight but the next 3 I tried my hardest but I eventually had to have the vet put them to sleep. All had the same symptoms, lethargic, fluffed feathers, tail tucked down. Eating and drinking a small amount but not a lot. I have given Epsom baths to all in case of egg binding (which I don't believe it is), vets have given antibiotics and calcium but nothing seems to help, does anybody have any clue what it could possibly be or what I could do? I isolate the hen and I've seem to have tried everything. These hens have been sick and died over the course of the last year and 1/2. It's heartbreak to watch my poor girls suffer and not be able to help. I have a sick hen isolated now, she has access to water and feed and I have given her a couple drops of calcium. If I can't help I don't want her to suffer.

 

[Kiki]

I'm honestly not sure exactly what an ex-batt hen is, can you explain please.
Sounds like you took them to a vet already...he did't advise as to what could be wrong with them?
Did he check their poop for worm loads?
How old are they?

 

[Ailbhe12]

I'm honestly not sure exactly what an ex-batt hen is, can you explain please.
Sounds like you took them to a vet already...he did't advise as to what could be wrong with them?
Did he check their poop for worm loads?
How old are they?

All my hens are ex-battery hens, they were farmed for a year and then were to be sent for slaughter but I got them from a rescue that's trying to stop battery farming, the vets haven't any experience with hens and weren't any help, they were only guessing and giving antibiotics in case it might help, they have all been wormed. They're between 2-3 years old.

 

[Kiki]

Thanks for explaining..could they just be at the end of their life cycle?
I know that certain breeds of chickens, especially the ones made to mass produce eggs, don't live very long.

If she is not drinking she will die.
Would you be willing to tube feed/water her?

 

[Ailbhe12]

Thanks for explaining..could they just be at the end of their life cycle?
I know that certain breeds of chickens, especially the ones made to mass produce eggs, don't live very long.

If she is not drinking she will die.
Would you be willing to tube feed/water her?

Maybe they are... I have been feeding her syringes of water and calcium. Anything else that might help?

 

[Kiki]

I wouldn't continue the calcium if I didn't feel an egg.
Have you felt inside her for an egg?

Electrolyes may help perk her up.
I'm too scared to syringe water into them because I am scared it will go down the wrong pipe and drown them.

Have you happen to read this yet:
Egg Binding: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
How to Tube-Feed a Chicken
Tube Feeding a Chicken

 

[Ailbhe12]

I wouldn't continue the calcium if I didn't feel an egg.
Have you felt inside her for an egg?

Electrolyes may help perk her up.
I'm too scared to syringe water into them because I am scared it will go down the wrong pipe and drown them.

Have you happen to read this yet:
Egg Binding: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
How to Tube-Feed a Chicken
Tube Feeding a Chicken

I don't think she's egg bound, I've given her some electrolytes, and looking at it now I think she's just come to the end of her time. I went out and checked on her they're and she's warm and happy so hopefully she's not suffering , thanks for your help.

 

[Kiki]

I wish you and your birds the best of luck.
I'm sure you take very good care of them, there is just only so much that can be done.