Sick hybrid and what to do?

[Eggcessive]

Usually it costs less for backyard birds than commercial layers. Infectious bronchitis, a respiratory virus, common in chickens can cause reproductive and egg shell disorders. I lost quite a few hens who had survived it when they were young. Wrinkled egg shells or other abnormal shells can be common in hens with IB virus. Sneezing every few minutes for several weeks was the common sign I saw. But reproductive problems are also common after age 2, especially in high production birds.

 

[RedHillChicken]

Usually it costs less for backyard birds than commercial layers. Infectious bronchitis, a respiratory virus, common in chickens can cause reproductive and egg shell disorders. I lost quite a few hens who had survived it when they were young. Wrinkled egg shells or other abnormal shells can be common in hens with IB virus. Sneezing every few minutes for several weeks was the common sign I saw. But reproductive problems are also common after age 2, especially in high production birds.

Thankfully, I've not noticed any sneezing. This decline has been about two weeks developing, from noticing the yellow poop, to becoming lethargic, and to now with almost no life.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I wanted to give you an update. We just gave our sick hybrid her 2nd calcium tablet. We observe that she has no yellow discharge from her vent, and that observable poop looks normal. She's eating bread we offer her, but the most promising thing is that her comb has no sign of the bluish or purplish tint that was there yesterday. Also, the comb is much more full looking and red, and not as droopy as yesterday. Good sign, huh? I'm looking at the product Flubenvet to get, just in case a worming is necessary. Is it OK? Thanks for your help, as always.

Just looking at the Valbazen label, and it only has dosage rates for cattle, sheep, and goats. How many mL would a normal chicken require? Also, would the eggs need to be disposed of while she's taking the dewormer?

Here is today's poop. It still has the yellow looking discharge mixed in with the dark.
View attachment 4085910
Right after we gave her the calcium pill, she hopped out of the nest box, and stood by the feeder for 30 minutes or so. Not moving. We just moved her into the garage so that we can see her. At this point, I'm not sure she will survive. The weird thing is, as @Wyrop Rock can attest to is, this is not the first hen we've lost with the same symptoms - yellow discharge, bluish comb, listless, not eating normally. I'm sorta at a loss as to what to do. I guess I could, if she dies, take her and have a vet determine what she has.

Flubenvet (Flubendazole) is mainly found in Europe/UK, etc. I don't think I've ever seen it sold in the U.S.

If you wish to deworm, then I'd use Valbazen (Albendazole) or Fenbendazole (Safeguard). Dosing is below.

I do agree, if you lose this one, having a necropsy through your state lab will give you the most information.

With poop like that, she may have some type of reproductive disorder, it can be hard to know. Unfortunately, reproductive disorders are common in laying hens and sometimes the best we can do is manage symptoms when they arise and keep the bird hydrated and eating to see if they can rally for a while longer.

I'd still give the Extra Calcium for a total of 5-7 days, this often can help if they are having a hard time expelling material. Check to make sure her crop is emptying and give her an over all look for any externa parasites (lice/mites) just to stay on top of thing.




Safeguard dose is 0.23ml per pound of weight given orally once a day for 5 days in a row.
---OR---
Valbazen dose is 0.08ml per pound of weight given orally once, then repeated in 10 days

Here's how to give oral medications:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

 

[RedHillChicken]

Flubenvet (Flubendazole) is mainly found in Europe/UK, etc. I don't think I've ever seen it sold in the U.S.

If you wish to deworm, then I'd use Valbazen (Albendazole) or Fenbendazole (Safeguard). Dosing is below.

I do agree, if you lose this one, having a necropsy through your state lab will give you the most information.

With poop like that, she may have some type of reproductive disorder, it can be hard to know. Unfortunately, reproductive disorders are common in laying hens and sometimes the best we can do is manage symptoms when they arise and keep the bird hydrated and eating to see if they can rally for a while longer.

I'd still give the Extra Calcium for a total of 5-7 days, this often can help if they are having a hard time expelling material. Check to make sure her crop is emptying and give her an over all look for any externa parasites (lice/mites) just to stay on top of thing.




Safeguard dose is 0.23ml per pound of weight given orally once a day for 5 days in a row.
---OR---
Valbazen dose is 0.08ml per pound of weight given orally once, then repeated in 10 days

Here's how to give oral medications:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

Thanks WR, I'm still waiting to see if she makes it through the night. I'll let y'all know.

 

[RedHillChicken]

Update: Day two in the garage. Overnight had 5 or 6 small poops mixed with yellow puss looking liquid. She ate a little tuna and scrambled eggs. Took her outside and she ate some fresh greens and we gave her a calcium pill, pooped about a teaspoon of runny yellow puss looking stuff, walked about 80' back up toward her coop. Drank lots of water from the chicken waterers. She's back in the garage for the night. She's still weak acting, and slow walking.

 

[Eggcessive]

Eating and drinking some will give her strength. If you have more poop pictures that would be good.

 

[RedHillChicken]

Eating and drinking some will give her strength. If you have more poop pictures that would be good.

What I saw today, taken in the garage from overnight, looked just the same as yesterday - I'll get some in the morning. I'm considering taking a sample to Auburn Lab and have it tested for worms. Also, they can determine what the yellow puss looking stuff is.

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be yellow urates or egg material, or infection as you say. You can treat her for worms now which might save time getting poop tested. Valbazen or SafeGuard liquid goat wormer are good. Dosages are in post 17. Those are safe and effective.

 

[RedHillChicken]

It could be yellow urates or egg material, or infection as you say. You can treat her for worms now which might save time getting poop tested. Valbazen or SafeGuard liquid goat wormer are good. Dosages are in post 17. Those are safe and effective.

Could worms cause the yellow puss discharge? The smell when we cleaned her was urate smelling. The SafeGuard is available in town at Tractor Supply. It won't hurt her if she doesn't have worms, will it? At this point, without a definitive diagnosis, I'll try anything.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Could worms cause the yellow puss discharge? The smell when we cleaned her was urate smelling. The SafeGuard is available in town at Tractor Supply. It won't hurt her if she doesn't have worms, will it? At this point, without a definitive diagnosis, I'll try anything.

Having a urine smell, often can point to a reproductive problem. The yellow in the poop may be some egg material or due to some liver failure, possibly infection. It can be so hard to know.

If you have an antibiotic on hand, you can try that. Sometimes meds do not help since often the condition is caught too late.

Deworming shouldn't hurt, but that would be up to you, if you can get a fecal float it would be a good idea.