Sick hen

[Rachelle Elaine]

I have a one-year-old Wyandotte who has been sick since yesterday. We have had record breaking heat this summer in San Antonio Texas and it's been brutal. The rest of the flock seems well, including a broody bo.
It was 109 yesterday in the coop the shaded coop. It did not get below 82° last night. Her crop seemed to empty over night.
She makes a gargling noise and seems to lean her head back every time to inhale. I was going to go get her some electrolytes this morning but I'm wondering if she's having trouble drinking. She scratched at the water bucket with her beak closed and didn't lean her head back like she normally does when drinking.
She did eat a few Frozen pieces of corn. I've got her inside the house now I just don't know what to do and I don't know how to troubleshoot. I'm going to upload a video and some photos.
I'm doing water in her mouth one drop at a time and it seems to be going down ok. any advice is appreciated. I do not have electricity at the coop and I can't run an extension cord that far. I also do not have an avian vet nearby.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'd see if she's willing to drink on her own. Hold a spoon or shallow cup up to her beak to see if she'll take electrolytes.

Feel her abdomen for bloat or fluid, she may be struggling with some reproductive problems. Getting a fecal float to see if worms are part of the problem is a good idea.
Do look inside her beak for lesions, obstruction, mucous, etc.

Sorry to hear she's having a rough time, hopefully she can pull through this.

For video, upload to youtube and provide a link.

 

[Rachelle Elaine]

Eleanor gurgle

 

[Rachelle Elaine]

Seems to be drinking on her own.

Her poop ...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Poor thing, she seems to be very sick.

I another post you made, you did think you saw something in her beak. Can you look inside more closely to see if that material is also in her throat? Is there a bad odor?


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/sick-chicken.1537621/post-25943366

 

[Rachelle Elaine]

I feel like a child asking this question but do I just hold her mouth open or try to catch her when she's opening her mouth and then just look down in there? I see people holding the bird's mouths open all the time but I never know how they get there and I'm just worried about hurting her of course
I will say she's drinking quite a bit of the water on our own. I really appreciate your replies.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I feel like a child asking this question but do I just hold her mouth open or try to catch her when she's opening her mouth and then just look down in there? I see people holding the bird's mouths open all the time but I never know how they get there and I'm just worried about hurting her of course
I will say she's drinking quite a bit of the water on our own. I really appreciate your replies.

I would gather her up so you can get a good look inside of her beak and throat. If you have a helper, that's even better.
If by yourself and she's hard to catch, wait until she goes to roost, then take her off the roost. Swaddle her loosely in a towel to help capture her wings and she can't flap around. Once you both are settled a bit, then open up her beak and examine her.
With you having her captured and swaddled, this gives you an opportunity to check her over for lice/mites, smell her breath, etc. Just take your time. You'll do just fine.

 

[Rachelle Elaine]

I don't really know what I'm looking for but I examined the others in the flock and it does look like some of them have mites. I don't see a heavy population but I saw a few on a couple (out of 6).
I'm going to wait till my helper gets home this afternoon and see if I can get some photos of some of the things I think are concern. Honestly I wish I had somebody in the area that I could just have come over and tell me all the changes and advice they'd give me based on my setup.
Eleanor does seem to be more energetic, she's eaten a little bit of food a little bit of watermelon and drink quite a bit of the electrolyte drink. I'll post photos later. Thanks again

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If you are seeing a few bugs on the hens, then you will want to treat them with a Permethrin based poultry dust or spray. Treat the coop too, it's a good idea to clean out the bedding, treat the nesting boxes and roosting bars too.

 

[Rachelle Elaine]

If you are seeing a few bugs on the hens, then you will want to treat them with a Permethrin based poultry dust or spray. Treat the coop too, it's a good idea to clean out the bedding, treat the nesting boxes and roosting bars too.

ok - I can do a good clean and treat this week, that will be good cause ants have gotten into my mealworm bin.
Also, I have a broody hen nesting on several (scattered day) viable eggs- this shouldnt be an issue with my spraying and dusting in your opinion?