Sickly chicken

[Mandapanda84]

I have a hen that is about 3 1/2 years old and is not doing very well. She is lethargic and has lost significant weight. I have wormed my flock recently and checked her vent for an egg. I have never checked a vent before but I feel like it’s a little swollen? I am going to do an epsom salt bath and she is isolated but my question is about gleet…I’m reading that she may need antibiotics, which I can’t afford a vet visit for but I do have oral suspension clavamox leftover from my cat. Can I give this to my chicken? I’m trying to help her before we have to make “the decision” thanks all

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Can you post photos of your hen, her vent and her poop?

What did you deworm with? (product and dose)

When was the last time she laid an egg?

Feel her over for bloat or swelling below the vent between her legs. See that her crop is emptying overnight.
Often hens begin to show symptoms of reproductive disorders which can make them slow and not feel well.

You're asking about Vent Gleet - does she have a continual yeasty discharge from her vent? Vent Gleet is a yeast or fungal infection, so giving an antibiotic would not be an effective treatment and could make the Gleet worse, if that's what's going on with her.

 

[Mandapanda84]

Welcome To BYC

Can you post photos of your hen, her vent and her poop?

What did you deworm with? (product and dose)

When was the last time she laid an egg?

Feel her over for bloat or swelling below the vent between her legs. See that her crop is emptying overnight.
Often hens begin to show symptoms of reproductive disorders which can make them slow and not feel well.

You're asking about Vent Gleet - does she have a continual yeasty discharge from her vent? Vent Gleet is a yeast or fungal infection, so giving an antibiotic would not be an effective treatment and could make the Gleet worse, if that's what's going on with her.

Welcome To BYC

Can you post photos of your hen, her vent and her poop?

What did you deworm with? (product and dose)

When was the last time she laid an egg?

Feel her over for bloat or swelling below the vent between her legs. See that her crop is emptying overnight.
Often hens begin to show symptoms of reproductive disorders which can make them slow and not feel well.

You're asking about Vent Gleet - does she have a continual yeasty discharge from her vent? Vent Gleet is a yeast or fungal infection, so giving an antibiotic would not be an effective treatment and could make the Gleet worse, if that's what's going on with her.

So I wormed my entire flock in the middle of June, fenbendazole for five days. Her dose was 1 ml. She was the one I noticed wasn’t feeling well to begin with and seemed to perk up after the treatment. She slowly began to decline again about two weeks ago. She doesn’t have any swelling and her crop has been empty because she is not eating. No discharge from her vent. No injuries, mites, lice, fleas. She has a little color back in her comb since being contained and I am syringe feeding her water with electrolytes and nutrients. I have been able to get her to eat a few bites of scrambled eggs and watermelon. Her poop is very dark but there’s not much of it, and it’s stronger smelling than usual.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would lean toward reproductive problem, but it's so hard to know with hens.

If she's in a continual decline, then you can try antibiotics to see if they help. Clavamox can be given to chickens. If I remember correctly, dose is 50-60mg per pound of weight given every 12 hours.

 

[Mandapanda84]

I would lean toward reproductive problem, but it's so hard to know with hens.

If she's in a continual decline, then you can try antibiotics to see if they help. Clavamox can be given to chickens. If I remember correctly, dose is 50-60mg per pound of weight given every 12 hours.

Thank you for your response! I will try the antibiotics and see if they help

 

[Mandapanda84]

Thank you for your response! I will try the antibiotics and see if they help

Looks like my meds are expired…I guess I will wait and see what rest and fluids do for her

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How long expired?

Depending on where you live, you can often find fish antibiotics (Amoxicillin) in feed stores like TSC or you can order them online.
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=F7605B41-10BA-45F7-8AF3-5CD0530BC1C9

 

[Mandapanda84]

Thank you, I will look for amoxicillin. Mine were only expired since June but I didn’t realize I had already opened the bottle when I got it for my cat about a year ago.