Sick Legorn... Help!!

[foghornz]

I have around 30 leghorns (mixed colour) 15-17 weeks old in a 80 x 80 ft pen (movable fence) with fresh grass. I found one in the shade yesterday which seemed tired and weak, didnt want to stand. I took it in overnight with water & feed. Didnt seem to drink but had a go on a banana which seemed promising. It did stand overnight but during the day would just sit. I noticed its dung was mainly just a bound string of undigested grass and was about 5-6 inches long and unbroken from its cioaca so i gave it helping hand and gently pulled the rest out (about another inch)..... it died about 30 seconds later. Not sure how long it had been sitting sick in the pen could of been days? Some of the hens are are a little older than others and not sure if this was a younger one or not, its comb was fairly undeveloped but also seemed quite small and dry while sick. Its eyes were more black than colour. I have no roosters in with them. Hope someone can help.
Dean from New Zealand

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi
Sorry to hear about your loss. My first thought would be that it has something to do with the grass as you removed some undigested from the bird. How long is the grass? They can't digest long grass and it causes them problems in their crops. Short grass is better for them. So if yours is long I would reccomend you cut it shorter. Also do you have grit/oyster shell available for them all the time? They need this to able to start the digestion process. This is the link for the emergencies disease injuries cures section https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures
Posting in this section should give you advice from other members too.
Hope you enjoy BYC

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Hi
Sorry to hear about your loss. My first thought would be that it has something to do with the grass as you removed some undigested from the bird. How long is the grass? They can't digest long grass and it causes them problems in their crops. Short grass is better for them. So if yours is long I would reccomend you cut it shorter. Also do you have grit/oyster shell available for them all the time? They need this to able to start the digestion process. This is the link for the emergencies disease injuries cures section https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures
Posting in this section should give you advice from other members too.
Hope you enjoy BYC

X2!
Welcome!

 

[BantamLover21]

We're glad you joined us!

I'm sorry for your loss.

Some sort of digestive problem due to long grass may certainly have been the cause, or it might have been something else.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you.

 

[Book Em Danno25]

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Sorry for your loss. I would imagine the long grass caused an obstruction so it couldn't/wouldn't want to eat.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

How horrible! Sorry for your loss!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry about the loss of your hen.