Sick hen

[GraceMontague]

I have a hen who is not doing well. She hasn't been herself for a while and has lost a lot of weight. I did a bunch of "research" and decided to treat for worms, but now I'm thinking maybe I should treat for cocci. My questions are...
1. How long can a hen live with cocci? This is going on a month.
2. I treated with safeguard, can I treat for cocci without worrying about over medicating her?

 

[micstrachan]

How old is she? Do you know if she’s laying? Where is she in the pecking order? Do you know if she’s pooping ok and her crop is emptying overnight?

Weight loss can be from muscle wasting away from cancer or a reproductive problem, but it can also be from hunger if a lower ranked bird is being bullied from feed. Or she may not be eating much if she’s not feeling well got another reason. It really could be anything at this point. The more info you can provide, the better we can help you. Sorry she’s not doing well.

 

[GraceMontague]

How old is she? Do you know if she’s laying? Where is she in the pecking order? Do you know if she’s pooping ok and her crop is emptying overnight?

Weight loss can be from muscle wasting away from cancer or a reproductive problem, but it can also be from hunger if a lower ranked bird is being bullied from feed. Or she may not be eating much if she’s not feeling well got another reason. It really could be anything at this point. The more info you can provide, the better we can help you. Sorry she’s not doing well.

Hi, thanks for the reply. She is 4 or 5 years old. She had been a reliable layer until this illness started. She was top of the pecking order now she just stands around. There isn't much of a pecking order issue since I don't have any new flock members. She just doesn't have an appetite. I'm attaching a photo of her posture. You can tell she's not feeling well. She has beautiful feathers, but is skin & bones underneath.

 

[GraceMontague]

I'll also add that she has been having diarrhea.

 

[micstrachan]

I think your approach of treating for worms snd coccidiosis is not a bad one to start with. Di you know if her crop is emptying properly?

 

[GraceMontague]

I think so. I didn't notice it feeling full when I was holding her to see how thin she was. I also had my husband hold her and I smelled I her mouth, I didn't notice any odor.
Since she's not eating or drinking much should I mix the corid in the waterers and hope she drinks or should I syringe some into her mouth?