Sick hen, when to cull

[MountainMomma359]

I have a sick 4ish year old EE that I have been treating for 3 days. I'm sure it's time to cull her but I'm struggling with the decision. She's my favorite and the head hen.
I noticed over the past couple weeks that she was laying less but I thought it was her age. Then a few days ago she stopped eating, then stayed in the same spot. I examined but don't feel a stuck egg. Abdomen is firm. Poor appetite. I started tylan 3 days ago and have syringed her some water with molasses for energy because she isn't eating or drinking.
I know I need to end her suffering but thinking about the act of culling a pet is awful. I imagine her chances of recovering are almost nothing, aren't they?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What was the bacterial infection she had that the Tylan was supposed to cure?

 

[MountainMomma359]

What was the bacterial infection she had that the Tylan was supposed to cure?

I can't say for sure what she has but I was afraid for maybe egg yolk peritonitis so I tried the only antibiotics I have.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

No disrespect intended and only instructive but that's exactly how superbugs are made. Putting antibiotics in the mix when we don't know if a problem is viral, fungal, parasitic, environmental or nutritional.
I've had EEs and other breeds that age just quit laying for a month or more only to lay for several more years.
The poor appetite could indicate a problem. Rather than egg yolk peritonitis, the problem could be one of dozens of other things antibiotics can't cure - even if bacterial.
I wouldn't necessarily say you need to put her down, I haven't seen the bird. She's pretty young.
Problems can arise when jumping to conclusions. I've been guilty of it. A friend in Florida was convinced all her chicks died of coccidiosis. The problem ended up being mycotoxins in the feed because it got a bit moldy from moisture. I once thought I needed to worm a flock thinking the symptoms pointed to roundworms. Instead, I searched far and wide, finding a vet in the next state who would read a fecal sample without "seeing the patient". They didn't have worms but a clostridial infection which was treated with tetracycline.
I had a hen go downhill fast once and couldn't get her into the poultry vet in town and I knew she wouldn't last. I drove her to the vet school at the university for euthanasia and necropsy. She had cancer.
There is a good reason, antibiotics have been removed from feed stores. Most of the antibiotic families used in agriculture are the same ones used in humans.
Rampant use of antibiotics for many decades in livestock both commercially and privately have caused antibiotic resistance. Including some bacteria that have become resistant never being exposed to that antibiotic through a process that is difficult to explain in a short web post. Suffice it to say, antibiotic use without a diagnosis or even improper use with a diagnosis has caused global resistance. In the US alone, nearly 3 million antibiotic resistant infections occur every year resulting in the death of 35,000 people according to the CDC.
What state are you in?

 

[MountainMomma359]

No disrespect intended and only instructive but that's exactly how superbugs are made. Putting antibiotics in the mix when we don't know if a problem is viral, fungal, parasitic, environmental or nutritional.
I've had EEs and other breeds that age just quit laying for a month or more only to lay for several more years.
The poor appetite could indicate a problem. Rather than egg yolk peritonitis, the problem could be one of dozens of other things antibiotics can't cure - even if bacterial.
I wouldn't necessarily say you need to put her down, I haven't seen the bird. She's pretty young.
Problems can arise when jumping to conclusions. I've been guilty of it. A friend in Florida was convinced all her chicks died of coccidiosis. The problem ended up being mycotoxins in the feed because it got a bit moldy from moisture. I once thought I needed to worm a flock thinking the symptoms pointed to roundworms. Instead, I searched far and wide, finding a vet in the next state who would read a fecal sample without "seeing the patient". They didn't have worms but a clostridial infection which was treated with tetracycline.
I had a hen go downhill fast once and couldn't get her into the poultry vet in town and I knew she wouldn't last. I drove her to the vet school at the university for euthanasia and necropsy. She had cancer.
There is a good reason, antibiotics have been removed from feed stores. Most of the antibiotic families used in agriculture are the same ones used in humans.
Rampant use of antibiotics for many decades in livestock both commercially and privately have caused antibiotic resistance. Including some bacteria that have become resistant never being exposed to that antibiotic through a process that is difficult to explain in a short web post. Suffice it to say, antibiotic use without a diagnosis or even improper use with a diagnosis has caused global resistance. In the US alone, nearly 3 million antibiotic resistant infections occur every year resulting in the death of 35,000 people according to the CDC.
What state are you in?

You aren't answering my question at all. My state is irrelevant. I'm basically asking for support over losing a pet and you want to go on a spill about antibiotics and superbugs?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The state is relevant if you want to find out what is ailing your bird.
When an animal dies from unknown causes, it is advisable to have a necropsy to safeguard the rest of your charges.
To answer your question, I've never seen your bird so I can't imagine if anyone could tell you what her chances of recovery are, not knowing what ails her and how sick she is.
Are you just asking about how to deal with the emotional turmoil from euthanizing your bird?
If so, just understand that when we take on the role of animal husbandry person, we assume all the responsibility that comes with in including the pain of loss.

 

[igorsMistress]

No disrespect intended and only instructive but that's exactly how superbugs are made. Putting antibiotics in the mix when we don't know if a problem is viral, fungal, parasitic, environmental or nutritional.
I've had EEs and other breeds that age just quit laying for a month or more only to lay for several more years.
The poor appetite could indicate a problem. Rather than egg yolk peritonitis, the problem could be one of dozens of other things antibiotics can't cure - even if bacterial.
I wouldn't necessarily say you need to put her down, I haven't seen the bird. She's pretty young.
Problems can arise when jumping to conclusions. I've been guilty of it. A friend in Florida was convinced all her chicks died of coccidiosis. The problem ended up being mycotoxins in the feed because it got a bit moldy from moisture. I once thought I needed to worm a flock thinking the symptoms pointed to roundworms. Instead, I searched far and wide, finding a vet in the next state who would read a fecal sample without "seeing the patient". They didn't have worms but a clostridial infection which was treated with tetracycline.
I had a hen go downhill fast once and couldn't get her into the poultry vet in town and I knew she wouldn't last. I drove her to the vet school at the university for euthanasia and necropsy. She had cancer.
There is a good reason, antibiotics have been removed from feed stores. Most of the antibiotic families used in agriculture are the same ones used in humans.
Rampant use of antibiotics for many decades in livestock both commercially and privately have caused antibiotic resistance. Including some bacteria that have become resistant never being exposed to that antibiotic through a process that is difficult to explain in a short web post. Suffice it to say, antibiotic use without a diagnosis or even improper use with a diagnosis has caused global resistance. In the US alone, nearly 3 million antibiotic resistant infections occur every year resulting in the death of 35,000 people according to the CDC.
What state are you in?

The state is relevant if you want to find out what is ailing your bird.
When an animal dies from unknown causes, it is advisable to have a necropsy to safeguard the rest of your charges.
To answer your question, I've never seen your bird so I can't imagine if anyone could tell you what her chances of recovery are, not knowing what ails her and how sick she is.
Are you just asking about how to deal with the emotional turmoil from euthanizing your bird?
If so, just understand that when we take on the role of animal husbandry person, we assume all the responsibility that comes with in including the pain of loss.

This is the correct approach.

I understand you’re heartsick from having to cull a beloved pet, but it’s part of this hobby. Culling will put her out of her misery and nobody here can tell you when to do that. Take her to vet if possible to get a diagnosis first. If not, I recommend you send her for necropsy to ensure that whatever her issue is doesn’t spread to the rest of your flock.

Here’s a list of state labs; you can send the body to any state, just be sure to follow the instructions on the website.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/➡-necropsy-disease-testing-state-labs-info.1236884/