Sick hen

[miashart]

My 8 month old hen is sick and I don't know what to do, or if there's anything I can do. She's hanging out by herself. Her comb is pale and limp, her poop is white/thin and occasionally she has clear liquid dripping from her nose/mouth. She is eating but not as much. She doesn't look like she's lost weight but tonight I picked her up to feel her belly and feel around for a stuck egg and she was so much lighter than usual. She's not losing feathers but they look a little dull.

Someone suggested I add sulmet to their water but I have to go buy some tomorrow when TSC opens. Any other suggestions or ideas??

 

[Judy]

If I were going to experiment with an antibiotic it wouldn't be Sulmet as it is rough on them. I assume you've checked for lice / mites? If she's not laying she could be an internal layer. The clear discharge makes me wonder about a respiratory disease. You could also try worming.

 

[featherz]

If I were going to experiment with an antibiotic it wouldn't be Sulmet as it is rough on them. I assume you've checked for lice / mites? If she's not laying she could be an internal layer. The clear discharge makes me wonder about a respiratory disease. You could also try worming.

X2 Sulmet is very harsh. I don't know that I'd go right to the antibiotics either. Is she laying eggs at all? No sneezing, coughing, wheezing or puffy eyes?

If anything, I'd try worming. It's also possible to be an internal layer at that age, although usually happens in older hens. I had one I put down at about 8 months for that problem - you would usually see (not always!!) a swollen belly, poop that looks like egg.

Any other hens sick? Does she stand around looking 'poofed up'? Could also be cocci - even at that age.

 

[miashart]

Thanks for the input but the problem took care of itself last night. Something small burrowed into the coop last night and she was the one it killed. I guess it was a rat because the hole it burrowed was so small. I guess I will be figuring out how to rat proof the coop today. Thanks again for the advise. I'll keep it all in mind in case another hen starts showing signs of illness.