Special needs chicken deteriorating health

[monicabendele]

I posted here a while back. I have a chicken with three legs (and two vents). The third leg and second vent are non-functional. She is about 8 months old. She was doing well until lately. Spending time in the nesting box, but not laying. Smelling bad, I would bring her in for baths and this used to result in her popping out an egg or two. they were broken when I found them, so not sure if they are coming out that way, or if it's happening after. She seemed pretty active and proactive in getting her food, but lately is not walking as much, and doesn't seem to feel very good-feathers occasionally puffed out. A week ago I noticed she was squirting diarrhea. It's mostly clear with green sediment. I have moved her in the house to work on her. (Have a shower that I use for sick chickens.). She is drinking A LOT. She will eat scrambled eggs, but not much feed. I can't spend a lot to diagnose this chicken, as I'm not sure it's a viable endeavor. I'm not looking forward to a chicken in my shower all winter, but I know she will deteriorate if I put her back out. She has lost weight. I assume I'm dealing with some egg binding, egg peritonitis, and likely a stop in egg production or internal laying. Should I put her down? I wouldn't mind keeping her alive even if she can never lay, as she is sweet, but it is a lot of work.

 

[tripletfeb]

@Wyorp Rock @azygous

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some current photos of her.
I see the ones from back in April and there was concern expressed that she may start having some difficulties with production.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/third-leg-on-chick.1461724/

Can you clarify, when you gave her baths, she would lay and egg or two - were these "normal" hard shelled eggs laid the same day or it just seemed to stimulate her to lay eggs?

Hard to know what's going on with her. I can only assume some of her troubles are from the deformity (Polymelia). Did the leg at her vent continue to grow/get larger as she grew?
I have to wonder what else is present internally as well and if as time has gone by, this is affecting her overall health.

Drinking a lot - is her crop emptying?


If you feel she's in pain or suffering, then putting her out of her misery is kindness. I'm sure she's dear to you and it would be a difficult thing to do.

 

[monicabendele]

I'll post some tomorrow. And I'll write more tomorrow. thanks for your response

 

[azygous]

@Wyorp Rock has expressed exactly my observations and concerns. Not much more that I can contribute.

Her outward defects may mirror similar internal defects that are only just recently manifesting. I think you already have concluded this little gal doesn't have much of a future. Culling her at this point is an entirely reasonable decision.

 

[monicabendele]

I have decided to cull her. I won't be posting more photos. To answer questions, the extra leg is quite large (stiff and immobile) and gets quite dirty, as the clawed foot is located under the working vent. She is super friendly, always at my feet, and has had a great "attitude" and personality through all of this. This is her getting a bath a couple months ago. Her name is "Tripoli".

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm sorry you had to cull her, but it sounds like you've done your best. In my limited experience, once a chicken starts to deteriorate, it happens so fast. You may be sparing her (and yourself) a lot of misery.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have decided to cull her. I won't be posting more photos. To answer questions, the extra leg is quite large (stiff and immobile) and gets quite dirty, as the clawed foot is located under the working vent. She is super friendly, always at my feet, and has had a great "attitude" and personality through all of this. This is her getting a bath a couple months ago. Her name is "Tripoli".

I'm so sorry

Thank you for sharing this image of your lovely Tripoli. I'm sure she was very special to you and letting her go is painful. This is a great photo to remember her by.

 

[Sammster]

I'm just seeing this. I'm so sorry ♡