Sick little hen

[flopsy]

Hi, all! One of my little bantam hens, a good broody hen, is sick. Acts like she has a cold, is sneezing, etc. Still eating some, but wants to stay in the nest. Bird flu, cold? I'm so new to chickens I don't know what to do or what is wrong. No bird vets anywhere in these boondocks. Thank you for help!

 

[threehorses]

It sounds respiratory - either bacterial or viral. take advantage of her reluctance to move to separate her out, including her food and water, far enough where her flinging nasal secretions won't infect the others. Disinfect all your feeders and waterers.

Have you had any new birds come in lately?

Since you don't know if it's viral or bacterial, it's hard to say how to treat. But I'd suspect that a secondary bacterial infection is possible. Is she congested? (By the way, VetRx is awesome for congestion - always keep a little bottle handy. It'll last for ages.) Any problems with her eyes? Is the exudate at her nostrils clear or clouded?

 

[sammi]

what bedding are you using?
could it be that since she's sitting she's close to floor and ammonia fumes and dusts?
coop been cleaned recently?

how long has she been sitting?
do you get her up to exercise her legs?
can you take her away from the nest box and block it off?
is she sitting on eggs?

what all do you feed?
check the hen and see if feels thin.
check for mites..sitting hens are vulnerable to mites.
describe the comb..pale? normal? cold? hot? dry?

any mucus in eyes or nostrils?
any wheezing?
any swelling of the eyes, head, or wattles?
describe the droppings..color and consistency..

any poultry vitamins on hand?
try and get some..or use Poly-vi-sol liquid baby vitamins, Enfamil brand if possible, no iron..2 drops on beak once a day for a week, then taper off for another week.

 

[flopsy]

Quote:
Thank you, both for helping me!

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

in accord with Nathalies comments here is what I would do for the chicken immediately

it is a bit of info for respiratory infections of chickens
Using Vetrx for each bird infected

put vetrx on the head and under the wings
and 1/2 tsp down the throat a couple times a day for a week
2 tsp per gallon of water
for all of them as if it drank from the same watetrer then I would give it in the water for all of them


***to get the birds going I would do this

*** the wet mash probiotic this evening

wet mash probiotic
1 qt of dry crumbles
1-1/2 qts of milk any kind
1/4 cup of yoguart
mix good and feed 3 tbsp per chicken so that they eat it in 20-30 minutes

also in the water put 2 tbsp of ACV to a gallon of water
you can order it from smith poultry supply

Smith Poultry & Game Bird Supply

14000 W. 215th St., Bucyrus, KS 66013-9519

Ph. 913-879-2587 - 7:30 A. M. - 3 P. M CST Monday-Friday

24-hour Fax. 913-533-2497

you can email me PM for help
keep us posted to let us kno what happens on this

She needs to be put in a rabbit hutch with wire bottom to get her broke of setting
as it really does deteriorate the body of the bird ans she will not be normal till she is broje of setting
do not allow any bedding on the wire and the cool air under her will cause her to stop setting in about 5 days

doctor her with the above system twice daily

 

[threehorses]

Well without seeing a vet you're not going to be able to tell if this is viral or bacterial Best to just assume that there's at least secondary bacterial involvement and treat for that.

Do you have a good livestock feedstore near you that you could call and ask what antibiotics they have for chickens and cattle?

In the mean time, that vetRx will help the congestion. Keep her apart from the others as the droplets will spread the sickness. Make sure she's drinking. If you want to put some vitamins in her water and she'll drink it, then it wouldn't hurt if you change it dailly and keep them cool. try to keep her nares clear and clean and her warm and whatnot.

Nathalie

 

[threehorses]

I hit 'enter' THEN remembered stuff.

Her runnier-than-normal droppings won't surprise me if she has an upper respiratory infection with congestion. Sinuses drain into the esophagus and the bacteria and amount of them mess with the pH and health of the gut. I'd definitely give her probiotics of some kind while she's ill to prevent her from losing too much fluid through diarrhea and becoming dehydrated worse that she might already be.

You could use the mash Glenda put up, acidophilus capsules from the grocery store or pharmacy, Probios or Fastrack from the feedstore, even probiotics from Petsmart if you're in a more urban area. Anything helps. When you medicate if you're forced to use something that has any dairy in it, curtail using it until after the last day of antibiotics.

With antibiotics, use them absolutely without breaking the cycle for the entire dosage time given - even if it turns out to be something else. Never stop antibiotics. My rule of thumb is to treat for as many days after antibiotics with probiotics to help reestablish gut bacteria.

Since using that rule of thumb, I have *never* had any diarrhea issues with my birds. I did before.

It's a good rule of thumb for people, too, especially women - note.

Also as important as making sure she drinks is making sure she's nourished. It wouldn't hurt to give her some boiled egg yolk for the next few days, or add some chick crumbles if you have them. She could use a little boost in nutrition just like we all should do when we're ill.

Hope this helps to get you started til we figure out how to medicate.

 

[flopsy]

Thank you all! Daughter brought home VetRx and antibiotic for me. We've separated her, used the RX and put the antibiotic (according to directions) in her water. Hubby asked me why chickens are so much trouble

!! I think he doesn't realize how much we do for our babies, i.e., children, grandchildren, dogs and now chickens of mine. We are hand feeding an old, old dog who has such a big heart. He is blind and hard of hearing and has hip problems. We do it out of love, and I do love my chickens along with all of the above. Hubby does, too, I think, especially our crested polish babies. He's just a grumbler when he's not doing exactly what he wants to do. Are all men like that?