Sick hen

[Eggcessive]

Laying double yolk eggs, although nice for us, is bad for the hens. Many of todays hens are bred for laying huge eggs every day, and that can lead to several different reproductive problems, such as impacted oviduct, salpingitis, internal laying, and egg yolk peritonitis. Some of these can be sterile or caused by bacteria. E.coli, mycoplasma, pasteurella, and salmonella are some of the possible bacteria that may cause salpingitis and EYP. Very few antibiotics treat E.coli successfully, but Baytril can. Here is some reading about some of the conditions:
https://thepoultrysite.com/disease-guide/salpingitis
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/oviduct-impaction

 

[azygous]

Hmmm. I don't know if that's a sign or symptom of a possible reproductive problem @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous @Overo Mare ???
I'd love to learn though. Thank you for sharing. My pullet wasn't sick for very long and I remember @azygous saying that this bacteria was fast and deadly. I wonder if a reproductive problem attacks and turns deadly as fast

I was referring to Clostridium perfrigens when your pullet was so sick. This bacteria moves at lightening speed and can kill in just 24 hours after the first symptom. This is why I am not shy or hesitant about employing an antibiotic for an obviously very sick chicken immediately.

The danger of antibiotics for backyard flocks is extremely overblown in my opinion. Commercial poultry operations and the beef and pork industry ruined it for all us little folk by using antibiotics wholesale in feed and water to counter high bacterial environments where they keep animals.

So now they've figuratively tossed the baby out with the bathwater, and none of us can easily find antibiotics. If you live in California, the overzealous lawmakers have forbidden online vet suppliers from shipping antibiotic mail orders to that state.

 

[Trisseh]

I was referring to Clostridium perfrigens when your pullet was so sick. This bacteria moves at lightening speed and can kill in just 24 hours after the first symptom. This is why I am not shy or hesitant about employing an antibiotic for an obviously very sick chicken immediately.

The danger of antibiotics for backyard flocks is extremely overblown in my opinion. Commercial poultry operations and the beef and pork industry ruined it for all us little folk by using antibiotics wholesale in feed and water to counter high bacterial environments where they keep animals.

So now they've figuratively tossed the baby out with the bathwater, and none of us can easily find antibiotics. If you live in California, the overzealous lawmakers have forbidden online vet suppliers from shipping antibiotic mail orders to that state.

I 100% agree that backyard flocks that are included by legislation don’t fit with the targeted commercial establishments that the legislation is provided for. And 100% on treating birds as soon as symptoms are noticed. Birds are great at hiding things from us and so often are much sicker than we know!
I’m not sure how it works in the US or each State’s reasoning behind it, but the blanket use of antibiotics in food producing animals in Canada has been stopped due to the potential for bacterial resistance to “medically important” antibiotics that are used in humans. I mean come on, sulfonamides and tetracycline to promote growth? Only reason it helps with growth is because it treats subclinical or clinical but unnoticed infections. Haha. So I understand where they’re coming from. If we use a drug until it doesn’t work anymore, what do we replace it with? Not just in our animals, but for those drugs that are also used in people?

That being said, as with everything else, the few ruin things for the many and so anyone with backyard birds get stuck between a rock and a hard place, especially those without access to a vet that is willing to handle poultry.

most important things to remember when giving antibiotics:

1. Give according to the label, the dose amount, frequency, route, and duration of treatment. Never stop treatment before the end of the recommended treatment period, unless for a very good reason (ie. severe adverse reaction), even if they appear to be better.
2.Always follow withdrawal times to keep yourselves (or others that may be consuming the eggs/meat) safe as well.
3.If what you’re using is “off label” get appropriate dosing from a vet, or if that isn’t possible, research and cross reference to ensure you’re giving the correct dosing. There’s an organization called FARAD (CgFARAD in Canada) that has a wealth of information on off label dosing for many species.
4. if no improvement at the end of treatment, try your best to reach a veterinarian. I know it’s difficult, especially during this pandemic, but there are some vets that will do telephone consults, and some will even give free advice. It never hurts to pick up the phone and call.

my 2 cents from the perspective of a vet’s office dealing with the vast multitude of people who are getting into livestock at this time! It equally excites and alarms me. Haha.

 

[Lslbdl]

Just a curious question, do you remember getting any "odd" eggs when she was laying? I'm certainly not experienced nor knowledgeable enough to add anything, but the reproduction infections are of interest to me, just out of fear and wanting to learn as much as possible. I know that these things can and sometimes do begin without any noticeable signs and/or symptoms based on each individual bird. I am wishing you the very best with your girl. I am pulling for her to overcome whatever is making her unwell

I 100% agree that backyard flocks that are included by legislation don’t fit with the targeted commercial establishments that the legislation is provided for. And 100% on treating birds as soon as symptoms are noticed. Birds are great at hiding things from us and so often are much sicker than we know!
I’m not sure how it works in the US or each State’s reasoning behind it, but the blanket use of antibiotics in food producing animals in Canada has been stopped due to the potential for bacterial resistance to “medically important” antibiotics that are used in humans. I mean come on, sulfonamides and tetracycline to promote growth? Only reason it helps with growth is because it treats subclinical or clinical but unnoticed infections. Haha. So I understand where they’re coming from. If we use a drug until it doesn’t work anymore, what do we replace it with? Not just in our animals, but for those drugs that are also used in people?

That being said, as with everything else, the few ruin things for the many and so anyone with backyard birds get stuck between a rock and a hard place, especially those without access to a vet that is willing to handle poultry.

most important things to remember when giving antibiotics:

1. Give according to the label, the dose amount, frequency, route, and duration of treatment. Never stop treatment before the end of the recommended treatment period, unless for a very good reason (ie. severe adverse reaction), even if they appear to be better.
2.Always follow withdrawal times to keep yourselves (or others that may be consuming the eggs/meat) safe as well.
3.If what you’re using is “off label” get appropriate dosing from a vet, or if that isn’t possible, research and cross reference to ensure you’re giving the correct dosing. There’s an organization called FARAD (CgFARAD in Canada) that has a wealth of information on off label dosing for many species.
4. if no improvement at the end of treatment, try your best to reach a veterinarian. I know it’s difficult, especially during this pandemic, but there are some vets that will do telephone consults, and some will even give free advice. It never hurts to pick up the phone and call.

my 2 cents from the perspective of a vet’s office dealing with the vast multitude of people who are getting into livestock at this time! It equally excites and alarms me. Haha.

My sister is a zoologist and I have asked her for advice lol. Not a vet, but better than something. I think I will call around to some vets. We went to tractor supply today and couldn’t find many antibiotics. We did get “strike” though in case it’s worms for some reason. But now reading your information I think she needs to be treated with antibiotics.

 

[azygous]

Try this. https://www.kvsupply.com/item/thomas-labs-fish-mox-250mg/P06071/