Suddenly sick for no reason - never mind, she's dead

azygous

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15 Years
Dec 11, 2009
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Yesterday the whole flock of ten was completely healthy and normal. This morning I went out to clean the coop and found one of the year old Wyandotte pullets on the floor unable to stand. I put her in a crate inside and just examined her. No injuries, no blood, no poop, empty crop. She has her beak partially open, but is unable to stand. Her eyes are open and bright, though. Edited to add: she appears to be breathing okay and there is no discharge from her nostrils or whatever chicken noses are called. She's definitely sick because she normally resists being handled. She offers no protest now.

Final edit: I went to see if she'd eat some yogurt, and found her dead in her water dish. She probably went to drink and either was too weak to lift her head back up or she died as she was drinking. She's been carefully buried beside her older sister that died a year ago. At least I was spared facing the need to put her down like I had to with her sister. There's no more wrenching task.

Thanks for all the interest and kind support.


1) What type of bird , age and weight. Wyandotte, one year, about three pounds.
2) What is the behavior, exactly. Unable to stand.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Since last night.
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No.
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. Not a clue.
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. No. But she will take a sip if I wet her beak in her water dish.
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Didn't see anything abnormal.
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Isolate.
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? We have no poultry vet in my rural area. I have to treat her myself. I may try to find some antibiotics.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use . Pine shavings. Coop is cleaned daily. Pen is sand and cleaned daily. No pests.


I dread this may be wasting disease. If that's the case, she's a gonner. Help!!
 
Last edited:
so sorry for your loss
hugs.gif
 

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