Sick older hen

[LynetteBme]

Tuesday, August 20, where my 6 year old hen slept was a bright red bloody poo. I suspected coccidiosis. I bleached the poop board and and waterers and quarantined her until I could get off work. At home, there was no poop, bloody or otherwise, in the cage where she had been quarantined. She had eaten all the food I gave her and was upright and very strong. I began treating the entire flock with Sulmet. That night, the hen got into and slept in the nesting box instead of the roost. Wed, she got up and out with the flock, but didn't eat well. Just pecked around. Just stood around. The same Thursday. Slept again in the nesting box. Friday she was up and eating. I felt very encouraged. She still slept in the nesting box. Then yesterday, Saturday, she seemed to eat pretty well. No bloody poops. Last night, she got herself up to the roost with the other chickens. Seemed like we had turrned a corner. This morning, she woke up with a belly full of what feels like fluid. Doesn't look well. Any advice appreciated.

 

[Judy]

Sorry, she most likely is an internal layer or has ovarian cancer. I would definitely stop the Sulmet. Coccidiosis in a hen this old would be extremely unlikely, and the Sulmet is rough on their gut.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/79443/tell-me-about-your-internal-layers/80_20#post_6235380

 

[LynetteBme]

Thanks for your reply. Everyone said coccidiosis. I have 8 pullets so I was scared not to treat. I've seen no other signs in any others. I'll stop the treatments.

 

[casportpony]

I'm afraid Flockwatcher is probably right... do some searching on ascites, egg yolk peritonitis and internal laying. If it's cancer, you *might* be able to feel it by doing a cloacal exam, it will feel like little hard pimples on her insides. I've had two die from it this year and I could feel it in both of them.

-Kathy

 

[LynetteBme]

If it's the egg problem, is there a fix

 

[LynetteBme]

Sorry, just saw the above link.

 

[LynetteBme]

Update on my old girl. Well I DC'd the Sulmet right away. She never did have another bloody stool after that very first one. As mentioned in my original post, her abd seemed full of fluid. She slept on the floor for three nights. Laying around a lot in the day time. Then she began pooping normally and eating a bit. She made her way up to perch on the edge of the nesting boxes, slept there a night or two. Then, the last two nights, she has made it up to the roost all by herself. She still doesn't look great, but her tummy has gone down, she is eating some. She's pecking at the young hens like the other grumpy old girls. Much closer to normal. Thanks for the advice. I guess it could still be cancer and this may be a temporary improvement. But for now...

 

[casportpony]

I'm glad to hear she's better!

-Kathy