Sick hen

[Lslbdl]

We have a 1 year old Easter Egger hen that has been having horrible smelling green poop and has been standing off to herself puffed up. No respiratory symptoms but she hasn’t laid an egg in about a month. We thought she was egg bound at first but then these symptoms started so we aren’t sure. We have given warm Epsom salt baths, extra calcium, apple cider vinegar and electrolyte water. I will attach a picture of her poop. Does anyone know what could be going on?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous @casportpony @Kiki @Overo Mare

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Poor girl. I've tagged just a few of the many amazing and incredibly knowledgeable folks here that can help you help her. Best wishes. She certainly sounds to be unwell

 

[HeatherKellyB]

How long has she been passing poops like this? Other than not laying, how long has she been showing other signs and symptoms of being unwell?

Edited to add: Probably a good idea to share her diet. Any changes/additions to her flock? Any other illnesses in her flock? Where are you located (not exacts, just a general location can be helpful)

 

[azygous]

How is your budget? Any extra for some lab tests on a poop sample? Having a fecal float test done by your vet and then a gram stain test for bacteria would probably tell you exactly what is causing this.

The second option would be to just give her a round of a broad spectrum antibiotic such as amoxicillin. I have an eleven year old hen that has pure white mucousy poop with blood in it, and she's improving on amoxicillin. I have no idea what bacteria could be at work, but sometimes, you can fly blind as long as something seems to work.

 

[Lslbdl]

How long has she been passing poops like this? Other than not laying, how long has she been showing other signs and symptoms of being unwell?

Edited to add: Probably a good idea to share her diet. Any changes/additions to her flock? Any other illnesses in her flock? Where are you located (not exacts, just a general location can be helpful)

Thank you! She just starting passing stool like this yesterday. She has been acting unwell prior to that though. She’s been walking wide for about 2 weeks but acting normal other than that. This past week she seems to be feeling worse. No new additions to the flock. We do have pullets but they are kept separate. All of the others hens are acting completely fine with no issues. We are in Virginia

 

[Lslbdl]

How is your budget? Any extra for some lab tests on a poop sample? Having a fecal float test done by your vet and then a gram stain test for bacteria would probably tell you exactly what is causing this.

The second option would be to just give her a round of a broad spectrum antibiotic such as amoxicillin. I have an eleven year old hen that has pure white mucousy poop with blood in it, and she's improving on amoxicillin. I have no idea what bacteria could be at work, but sometimes, you can fly blind as long as something seems to work.

I’m hesitant to give antibiotics but would definitely do it if needed. I’ve found it hard to find antibiotics lately and we don’t have any. We don’t really want to get bloodwork or fecals done because even though we absolutely love her, they provide food for us and aren’t just pets.

 

[Lslbdl]

How long has she been passing poops like this? Other than not laying, how long has she been showing other signs and symptoms of being unwell?

Edited to add: Probably a good idea to share her diet. Any changes/additions to her flock? Any other illnesses in her flock? Where are you located (not exacts, just a general location can be helpful)

We get their feed from a local farm and they have been on the same feed since we got them. Nothing else is new food wise, other than its spring time and more plants are growing

 

[Lslbdl]

We get their feed from a local farm and they have been on the same feed since we got them. Nothing else is new food wise, other than its spring time and more plants are growing

They do free range daily

 

[HeatherKellyB]

How is your budget? Any extra for some lab tests on a poop sample? Having a fecal float test done by your vet and then a gram stain test for bacteria would probably tell you exactly what is causing this.

The second option would be to just give her a round of a broad spectrum antibiotic such as amoxicillin. I have an eleven year old hen that has pure white mucousy poop with blood in it, and she's improving on amoxicillin. I have no idea what bacteria could be at work, but sometimes, you can fly blind as long as something seems to work.

^^^This saved my Pullet a while back. She was suffering from some kind of bacteria and it was taking over her and it really started moving fast. There is no doubt that I would have lost her without this advice.