So we noticed the chickens behavior was off past weekend, and we thought "broody chicken". So we did what was suggested, remove her from nest and place her on the roost. Then the past 48 hours it shifted to her staring off into the corner of the coop, or once we physically moved her ourselves into the run with the other chickens she would stay wherever we put her, perhaps take a couple steps to a wall or fence and stay there with her head low, like depressed, withdrawn. Her poops looked eggy. Her wattle didnt look pale and her vent was clean..I thought maybe bound egg. I took her in the garage where i set up the very small 4 chicken coop with plastic lining on ground under the run. To better observe droppings and separate her in case she was sick. I checked the vent more thoroughly..no egg! PANIC BEGAN!! Now I shifted to peritonitis????!!! Here are the poops yesterday and now this morning. Yesterday: Did epsom slat bath with chamomile. blew dry her well and used syringe to give her yogurt with calcium. This A.M. I gave syringe full of a this mixture: D-Mannose (for e-coli), Smilax (for infections), cinnamon, black seeds (antibacterial), calcium. I am heading in the right direction or is this something else??? Also I got chicks from McMurrays's mid April and they were vaccinated for whatever was recommended. I am Holistic practitioner for HUMANS so am familiar with a great deal of alternative medicine but I am a first time Chicken keeper or chicken mom. I NEED HELP Identifying the problem though!! The bottom poop was this A.M.
Welcome To BYC. Thank you for the photos. "Eggy" poop is a usually good indication of an internal laying/reproductive disorder like Egg Yolk Peritonitis. Unfortunately, supportive care/relief is the standard course of treatment. Traditional antibiotics are not effective or at best offer short term relief. I know nothing about alternative/holistic medicine, but use your best judgment and offer her supportive care/relief how you see fit. Make sure she is staying hydrated and offer wet feed. If she won't eat the wet feed you can also give scrambled/hard boiled egg, tuna, mackerel or meat for protein. I'm sure you have researched Peritonitis in poultry. Basically egg/egg matter and/or bacteria has traveled back up the oviduct and dropped into the abdomen. This causes infection, sometimes swelling/bloat in the abdomen. Keep us posted on her progress. Would also be interested in any treatment you provide and what if any effects it may have. Peritonitis and internal egg laying issues: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/p...uctive_system/egg_peritonitis_in_poultry.html http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/ http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/6-causes-of-chicken-swollen-abdomen.aspx
