- Sep 7, 2012
- 156
- 59
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Hello,
I have three lovely chickens named Salt (Lakenvelder), Pepper (Ameraucana), and Paprika(New Hampshire Red). All three 7 month old hens. At 1:30 yesterday afternoon all three were healthy happy chickens when put in their chicken pen. When I returned at 4:00 Paprika was at the back of the cage dead and the other chickens were unusually quiet.
I live in Texas so it has been hot (102) but yesterday was no worse than the rest of the summer. The coop is mainly open mesh wire and sits in the shade. They had a full water and feeder when I left but they had knocked over their water and it was dry when I came home. I refilled it immediately but no one drank.
After I buried Paprika, I noticed Salt was acting lethargic and her breathing seemed labored. I brought her inside to cool off but she continued to pant and have wet almost water like diarrhea. She would not eat or drink anything. As the evening progressed, she started to drink some sugar water and her diarrhea was more a light brown/pale green and finally a solid-ish dark poop. She continued to drink lots of water but did not eat.
This morning, she was standing up but still moving slow. She is eating and drinking but I can tell she is not herself. I also noticed some small lumps on her wattles. Otherwise she has no lesions, no nasal discharge or swelling in the face. She did sneeze a few times. I let her go outside again and that perked her up but she sits and rests frequently. My other hen Pepper seems completely normal but stays close to Salt now that her buddy Paprika is gone.
Does anyone know what may have caused the sudden death and illness? What do I do to help Salt who is still sick?
I have never had a sick chicken so any help is appreciated. Thank you.
I have three lovely chickens named Salt (Lakenvelder), Pepper (Ameraucana), and Paprika(New Hampshire Red). All three 7 month old hens. At 1:30 yesterday afternoon all three were healthy happy chickens when put in their chicken pen. When I returned at 4:00 Paprika was at the back of the cage dead and the other chickens were unusually quiet.
I live in Texas so it has been hot (102) but yesterday was no worse than the rest of the summer. The coop is mainly open mesh wire and sits in the shade. They had a full water and feeder when I left but they had knocked over their water and it was dry when I came home. I refilled it immediately but no one drank.
After I buried Paprika, I noticed Salt was acting lethargic and her breathing seemed labored. I brought her inside to cool off but she continued to pant and have wet almost water like diarrhea. She would not eat or drink anything. As the evening progressed, she started to drink some sugar water and her diarrhea was more a light brown/pale green and finally a solid-ish dark poop. She continued to drink lots of water but did not eat.
This morning, she was standing up but still moving slow. She is eating and drinking but I can tell she is not herself. I also noticed some small lumps on her wattles. Otherwise she has no lesions, no nasal discharge or swelling in the face. She did sneeze a few times. I let her go outside again and that perked her up but she sits and rests frequently. My other hen Pepper seems completely normal but stays close to Salt now that her buddy Paprika is gone.
Does anyone know what may have caused the sudden death and illness? What do I do to help Salt who is still sick?
I have never had a sick chicken so any help is appreciated. Thank you.
