Sick hen!

[TDVGray]

HI,

I have one 4 year old BO hen who laid a strange egg within another leathery egg about a week ago. Since then, she has been weak, little appetite, runny poop, sleeps a lot, and her comb is droopy and dark reddish. She vomited clearish liquid so I thought it might be sour crop. I have isolated her inside from the rest of my birds and have given her probiotics/electrolytes and Wazine 17. She does not seem to be improving much. Feed Supply store recommended oxytetracycline but after doing my own research, I thought maybe Corvid would be better. Her crop is smaller now but still squishy and she has little interest in food.

Would anyone have any advice for me?

Thank you.

 

[Deesel]

I have a similar problem with a hen of mine. She's not doing good. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

It may be something serious such as internal laying/egg yolk peritonitis or ascites, which are very common in older hens who have laid abnormal eggs. They can develop a penguin walk, walk more upright, or have difficulty walking for long distances, preferring to sit. Weight loss through the chest or keel may be common, poor interest in food, a swollen or spongy lower abdomen, and be weak. Antibiotics such as Baytril or enrofloxacin are sometimes used to treat the bacterial (usually E.coli) infection, but are not very successful in long term survival. Here is some reading about this:
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/526089/egg-yolk-peritonitis

 

[chickydo81]

How much calcium is she getting? I wouldn't worm while she's sick and weak unless you absolutely suspect worms are causing this. Lots of calcium is needed (not just in the layer feed) from oyster shell and greens. I had a bird that did this and I crushed a calcium pill and fed it to her in cottage cheese, eggs, etc. for like a week and she pulled out of it. Didn't do it again. Calcium of course helps with the shell formation. I would maybe try that, hold off on giving her other medicines (not sure what that other stuff is you listed) and just give her good food/extra calcium and watch her. Also, look at her poop for egg yolk or broken shells, that could means one broke & she could get /have infection, and also gently palpate for possible bound eggs. if you aren't sure how to do this there on threads on here explaining all that. I also had that happen to one of my birds but it didn't end well :/ Anyway I hope she gets better. Let us know what happens.

 

[TDVGray]

Thanks for the information. I have some Spectinomycin powder on hand that was prescribed by a vet for my other BO hen. SHe had been treated with Baytril for a foot abcess and when it was not effective he prescribed this one for her.

It is indicated for use against E.coli and Mycoplasma. He is not in the office for me to consult with today but I may try that with this one too.

 

[TDVGray]

Okay..how do I give her extra calcium? What about Tums?

 

[chickydo81]

I've heard tums but I had best results with human grade calcium pill crushed it then added to whatever treat you know she'll eat. I've also (in dire cases) done tums or pill crushed in water then administered with small syringe carefully down the throat. there are lots of posts on here about doing this that will go into more detail that's where I got it.

 

[chickydo81]

how's your bird?

 

[Deesel]

Well we tried a little apple cider vinegar in her water, which seem to help for a day or so, but then she started looking bad again so tried Gatorade and some crushed tums. But we couldn't pull her out and she died during the night. A real bummer.

 

[lcertuche]

So sorry. It's a big hit because us backyard chicken people don't have thousands of birds.