Subdued, mites, scabs, and clenching vent!?

[Bccblue88]

I have a two year old black sex link. She has always been active and adventurous but not a people person. Today I went to give scratch and she wouldn't leave the brooding area. When I reached for her she didn't even react. She never has done that. So I was looking her over and found mites near her vent. Her skin is red and has a few scabs in the vent area. Her vent was clenching a lot. I can't find an egg so I don't think that is the issue. I cleaned her up and washed the area. I felt her craw and it is empty. But yesterday she was fine and exploring the yard. I know she laid two days ago for sure.
Now she is practically falling asleep in my arms and that is what is scaring me the most.
*picture is area near her vent...feathers are still a bit wet from me cleaning the area
Help?!?

 

[MrsBrooke]

I'd let her rest in a warm, dim, quiet area... like a dog crate in your garage or a bathroom.

Did you use anything for the mites/lice? Sevin dust is probably the most readily available external parasite treatment. You can get it at Lowe's/Home Depot or a garden supply store. Dust liberally around her vent, her back, under her wings, and around her neck. Ruffle her feathers to get the dust down to her skin.

There are other things like Ivermectin, but I have no experience with that.

Once you dust her, make sure she's still drinking water... You can add vitamins to it and offer some high-protein food like boiled eggs and meal worms, and let her heal herself.

Have you wormed your flock lately? Does she feel like she's losing weight (sharp keel bone)?

As for clenching her vent, does her abdomen feel swollen or hard at all? Any swelling under or around her vent? I read you checked for an egg... Did you insert a finger 1" to 2" into her vent?

How are her poops?

MrsB

 

[Bccblue88]

I have some DE. However I think whatever is going on was too much. She isn't eating or drinking and I tempted her with her favorite foods. I have been carrying her around and when I set her down to do something else, she just lay on her side with her eyes closed.
She is boney and I did reach in her vent and it was clear.
Poop Sunday was normal. And Sunday she was her normal self. Yesterday she seemed fine too.

I have not worked this year yet.

 

[MrsBrooke]

I'd grab some Sevin and give that a try. I have read mixed results on DE and parasite control, but I have never heard of Sevin failing to control even the most severe outbreak... and I have had a few myself.

Your mama is possibly anemic at this point. If she's too weak to eat or drink, you will need to tube her liquid to help her survive and get nutrition back in her. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding This is a great thread on how to tube a chicken.

It's more important that she stay hydrated than fed. She will get dehydrated very quickly and pass before you can do anything to help her.

Sevin and tube liquid. You can do it!

MrsB