Something is wrong with my hen!!!! Can anyone help?????

[suenrob]

I am a brand new chicken owner. I bought 6 hens from a local flea market a week ago. All seemed to be happy and healthy. Some have layed eggs. Anyways......this morning one of the white leg horns is just sitting in the coop with her eyes shut. I can't get her to open them. She just sits there, won't eat or drink or even try to run away from me!!! I separated her from the rest so they wouldn't hurt her, I don't know what to do next. Any suggestions as to what might be wrong and what i should do about it????????? Thanks

 

[hsm5grls]

I am not an expert but I am giving you a bump. There are a lot of people on here who are experts and should be here soon. I hope you can get some help.

 

[suenrob]

UPDATE!!!! Now it looks like her nose is running so I suspect that her eyesare shut because she has a cold and matter has collected in them glueing them shut. Does this sound serious or contagious??????????? What should I do. Thanks

 

[Farmer Kitty]

*Bump*

If her eyes are sealed shut you could try a damp towel compress held over the eyes and see if that helps to loosen the stuff.

Good Luck!

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Just noticed too that you posted this in the wrong catagory. Hopefully a mod will come along and move it for you.

 

[greyfields]

It's really hard to say from the description. There are so many possibilities.... poisoning, Marek's, Cocciddiossis, infection, etc.

I would just clean her eyes and try to use a syringe and squirt some water down her throat. If the bird means a lot to you, and you want her to live, you could try:

- 1/2 CC injection of Vitamin B12
- 1 CC Penecililn in the thigh
- Keep her hydrated using a syringe to get water into her.
- Apply Teramycin to the eye (make sure it's a tube labeled for use on eyes)

Just prepare yourself that chickens sometimes just aren't meant to live to old age despite your best efforts.

 

[SpottedCrow]

You could put a chopped up clove of garlic in her water and Vicks vaporub on her nose and under her wingpits.
Unless you know that it's a bacterial infection, I wouldn't use antibiotics.

It could be that she's having an allergic reaction to something in her new home.

 

[suenrob]

OK, ANOTHER UPDATE......first of all, thank you all so much for the info i've received both here an in the chat room.

I went to TS for the powered Terramycin. I mixed up a batch and made her drink with an eyedropper. She seemed greatful for the drink even though there is water in her box.

I wiped her eyes with a warm soft cloth until they both opened, again, she seemed greatful for the help.

I have moved her into the house so i can keep a close eye on her and listen to her breathing, which actually sounds a little better.

I have only been a chicken owner for 2 weeks (who knew you could get so attached to a chicken????)
She now has a name, HENrietta! That probably isn't very original sounding to the rest of you, but i thought it was clever when my DH suggested it.

I no longer think that I can eat chicken!!!!!

Thanks again for the help, I'll look forward to chatting with all of you in the future.

Sue

 

[rooster-red]

A little unfiltered apple cider vinegar in her water will help stimulate her immune system.

Aviacharge 2000 would be a good supplement too.

 

[greyfields]

Be aware as well that that chicken may have been put for sale because someone is cutting their losses. Auctions can be very dubious places to get animals for beginners.