Sick Wyandotte?

[Bdbutton]

I think my SLW might be sick. She has just been sitting on the floor of the run for several hours. I made her move but she sat right back down. As you can see her feathers are all ruffled. I dont see any suspicious poop. She is 16 weeks old. I would appreciate any input you may have. I don’t have a clue. Thank you.

 

[coach723]

With no other symptoms I would go ahead and treat for coccidiosis. It won't hurt her if it's something else, but it's common in young birds. It does not always present with blood in the droppings, it can also just be runny or mucosy, and the lethargy and sitting puffed up are common symptoms. I would treat the whole flock that she is with as they've all been exposed.
Treatment chart is attached below, use the severe out break dosing. You can get Corid at most feed stores and tractor supplies, etc (assuming you are in the US). Either powder or liquid is fine. Start as soon as possible, coccidiosis can take them down fast, some strains are more virulent than others. I would also go ahead and give her some orally to get her levels up, the dosing for that is here, you give this in addition to the medicated water: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/corid-oral-drench-instructions.1211991/

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Bdbutton,

In order to get an idea of what may be making your chicken sick you'll need to give a few more details about your hen. The more information you are able to provide, the better members will be able to figure out what is making her sick.

• Is she laying eggs? When is the last time she laid and egg?
  
  
• Is the chicken eating?
  
  
• Is the chicken drinking water?
  
  
• What is the temperature in the run?

• If it is hot where you live, what measures have you taken to care for the chickens in the heat?

Now, examine your chicken:

• Feel the crop in the morning, is it hard or squishy with a bad smell?
  
  
• What do the poops look like? Watery or mucousy? What color? You said not suspicious.
  
  
• Look under the feet, make sure there are no sores or cuts.
  
  
• Look at the legs, are they smooth? Are the scales lifting?
  
  
• Feel under her belly, check for blisters or swelling.
  
  
• Look for mites and lice under the feathers, neck, under wings, vent area.
  
  
• Look under the wings, check for lumps or sores.
  
  
• Check the chicken's vent, is it clean and pink? Nothing hanging out?
  
  
• Listen to the breathing, do you hear any rattle noise?
  
  
• Look at her nostrils, any discharge or bubbles coming out?
  
  
• Look at the eyes, are they bright, clear and round?
  
  
• Look at the comb and wattles, are there any scabs or growths? How is the color?
  
  
• If the chicken is a hen and you have a rooster, does she have any feathers missing on her back? Are there any cuts or bleeding from the rooster's toe nails/spurs?

You are right, the chicken is probably ill, her sitting with feathers ruffled are symptoms of illness.

The quicker we can determine what is wrong, the better chance for survival she has. For now, the first thing you should do is put the hen in a hospital crate with food and water (secure so the water doesn't tip over). It should be in a cool area if it is hot, or warm if it is cold where you live.

She needs good supportive care right now.

These are my thoughts on your hen's issue, I hope to hear from you soon.

God Bless

 

[Bdbutton]

She died! I’m so sad! I cant believe she died so fast. She was fine yesterday. I looked her over an didn’t see anything that could have caused this.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Bdbutton,

I am so very sorry for your loss.

She may have had a reproductive problem, perhaps an egg ruptured inside of her. I had this happen to one of my hens. When the hen jumped down from the perch, one morning, an egg ruptured inside of her. I saw she was not well, first thing in the morning, and immediately went into action trying to treat her. By noon, I rushed her to my vet. He put her on antibiotics for a possible infection, but, she died just two hours later, in my arms.

A necropsy by UC Davis Lab here in town, found the collapsed egg in her body cavity. The contents had spread though out the vital organs. She was also in the beginning stage of ovarian cancer, which contributed to her death.

So, you see...sometimes there is nothing we can do to stop a freight train.

You cared for her as best as you could. I can tell how much you cared for her.

Again, my heart goes out to you.

God Bless and peace to you and your flock.

 

[Bdbutton]

Greetings Bdbutton,

I am so very sorry for your loss.

She may have had a reproductive problem, perhaps an egg ruptured inside of her. I had this happen to one of my hens. When the hen jumped down from the perch, one morning, an egg ruptured inside of her. I saw she was not well, first thing in the morning, and immediately went into action trying to treat her. By noon, I rushed her to my vet. He put her on antibiotics for a possible infection, but, she died just two hours later, in my arms.

A necropsy by UC Davis Lab here in town, found the collapsed egg in her body cavity. The contents had spread though out the vital organs. She was also in the beginning stage of ovarian cancer, which contributed to her death.

So, you see...sometimes there is nothing we can do to stop a freight train.

You cared for her as best as you could. I can tell how much you cared for her.

Again, my heart goes out to you.
View attachment 1465163
God Bless and peace to you and your flock. [/QUOTt

Thank you for your kind words. I hope my other two will be ok. If I lose anymore I think my raising chicken days will be over. I’ve only been doing this for a couple months and haven’t even gotten an egg yet! So upset!

 

[coach723]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[Bdbutton]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Thank you so much!