Sick hen

[DEBRA56]

My hen is sick. She has been lethargic, going very slow and has watery-runny diarrhea for a couple of weeks. Yesterday I found her all by herself huddled under their stairs in their coop. I brought her in and held her for about 40 mins and she lay still in my arms with her eyes closed. She is isolated now and I got some Duramycin and with my Vet's help, got the concentration to mix with 1 quart of water and will change ir every 24 hours. (not good at that kind of math) arggg Anyway, she wants her eyes closed all the time. What to do? Any ideas out there please?

 

[hrhta812]

She's debilitated from the diarrhea. The meds should kick in soon, but she does sound really beat down. If you are prepared to get silly, like I do, you can do some intervention. I am not ashamed to make a fool of myself over my chickens. LOL

I would get her into the house, if at all possible, so you can do some supportive care frequently, and keep her warm [if that's an issue where you live]. I just typed my spiel on what I've done for my sickies on another thread here, for someone who has several that are sickly, so here's a copy/paste of things I try:

If they are not getting up to drink, it's a good idea to make them drink a little bit. I get a small dish, like a dessert cup, and then hold the bird, gently push from the back of her head and make her dip her beak in [but not far enough that it goes over the nostrils].

Plain water is better than nothing. Using unflavored pedialyte & a few drops of liquid vitamin B is even better - that's just for the cuppa, though, use your corid in the main water supply. I have even gotten some Karo syrup on my finger and rubbed it on the hens beak to get some sugar in her. That usually perks them up a little. I've heard people say to use molasses, or even just mix some sugar water.

If they are not eating, try making some plain scrambled eggs for them - they usually can't resist that. You might have to put it right in front of the hen if she's too tired to get up. If a hen won't even eat the scrambled eggs, then I do an Epsom salt soak bath, and do the beak dipping in the fortified water. Beak dipping works with yogurt, too, or even a slurry of their layer food with warm water.

Once they get debilitated, it can be tough for them to bounce back and although the [antibiotics] work pretty quickly, I still do the above interventions if they are really puny. I love my chickens. LOL I've had one in my bathroom, in a dog crate, for the better part of a week, nursing her from what turned out to be impacted crop. Every one I've doctored so far has bounced back, so it's worth the effort to me.

 

[DEBRA56]

Thank you. Oh yes, she is my "Friend" and she is in the house. What are the symptoms of an impacted crop or blocked vent? I am using an eyedroper to get the medicated water into her. Both my husband & I have cried already. We just don't think she'll make it

But not giving up yet for our friend.

 

[DEBRA56]

Wonder f I should dissolve asprin for her and how much? Her comb is pretty warm. What is there normal body temp?

 

[DEBRA56]

She died in my arms, RIP Blondie, our Friend

 

[blythspirit]

Ohhh. I am so sorry for your loss..rip Blondie...

 

[DEBRA56]

Thank you...

 

[DEBRA56]

She died in my arms.....RIP Blondie girl

 

[hrhta812]

I'm so sorry she didn't pull through. Poor girl. At least she had you to comfort her and be with her - it's been so awful when I've found one of mine dead and I worry what her last moments were like. It's a blessing you were able to hold her.