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Sick hen- not sure whats wrong

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by Tashandmerl, Dec 31, 2013.

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  1. Dec 31, 2013 #1
    Tashandmerl

    Tashandmerl New Egg

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    Hi everyone, hope someone can help me or lead me in the right direction to what might be wrong with a hen I'm looking after for a neighbor.

    The hen has been very lethargic and keeps opening it's beak like it can't breath?
    It also keeps sitting down and it's feathers seem slightly dull. It also can't jump up to its roost. She also keeps making a very strange sound, not exactly sure how to describe it though! And her comb is flopping on one side.

    I really hope someone can help me try and find out whats wrong with her because I'd really like to help her if possible.

    Thanks
     
  3. Dec 31, 2013 #2
    Eggcessive

    Eggcessive Chicken Obsessed Premium Member

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    It could be several different things--possible respiratory disease, coccidiosis, severe worm load, mites, or something else. Most of those conditions would require medication, and probably need to be done by the owner. She may have been sick before, or may have been weak from molting. You could turn her over and look at the skin under her vent for any tiny insects or eggs. Here are a couple of links to see what lice and mites look like:
    http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8162.pdf
    http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html
     

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