Sick hen

[chiefming]

Ok she is 6 years old, but have others around the same age. She is hiding away behind the water dispenser and not eating. She has been suffering with scale leg for a while so treated her for that. Also noticed that she had red mites, so I treated her with DE. My 3 Marans are a good weight but this one has stopped eating. Her eyes are closed and her wattle is a light pink. She is a little light on feathers, and has moulted in the past. Is this just moulting?

 

[Bertram]

Pictures?

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she still lay eggs? At her age, cancer, salpingitis or other reproductive disorders are common. Is her crop filling up normally by evening, and then emptying by morning? Is it large or flat? How does it feel this am? What does her poop look like in a picture? Does she have any swelling of her lower belly between the legs? Has she lost weight? Is her tail position up or down? Can you take her aside and offer some moistened chicken feed and scrambled egg, and perhaps give some Poultry NutriDrench orally?

 

[chiefming]

She’s a good size. I would say her tail is sticking up. Haven’t had Maran eggs in a bit, but I believe they were laying until recently. Will try a bit of food. She does have a peck at some food once in a while I noticed. She’s proofing normally. I have been giving them a super mix corn which they seem to like, so stopped with the layer pellets.

 

[chiefming]

 

[chiefming]

Just noticed her shaking her head a lot? She’s having a peck at some food not much though.

 

[Bertram]

It doesn't look like she's in molt. Have you checked for mites?

 

[chiefming]

She had mites a few days ago. Treated her yesterday with DE.
I put some food out a moment ago and she went to eat. She still has some enthusiasm for eating, but goes off it quickly. Tried adding some water to it but the other chickens are just interested in everything you put out. But by then she has ventured outside. The old Marans are a bit cumbersome and slow, but tend to push the other younger hens off the food.

 

[Bertram]

She's probably just recovering from the mites. How severe were they?

 

[Bertram]

Did you see them under her neck or wing feathers or was it just under her tail?