Unknown Illness/Injury: Feeding Advice Welcome

[kjorgey]

I found my 2 year old favorite hen alive, but listless this morning at the door of her coop. Took to vet. No trauma, no evidence of being egg bound, no obvious illness, parasites etc. I suspect bullying, as this has been an ongoing issue. She seemed normal 2 days ago, yesterday not as active, but eating and she and the whole flock are going through a major molt right now. She dropped 1 pound since her visit to vet a year ago after fox attack (yes, she survived). She is my favorite girl, who loves to follow me around the garden for treats. Yes, she is spoiled. I suspect depression and food deprivation as I witnessed this yesterday among the flock. We've had a lot of rain lately, with little free ranging or interaction with me in a while, which means more confinement than usual. She was given pain medicine by vet. I'm force feeding her an electrolyte/vitamin solution for poultry. She is too weak to eat on her own, barely able to stand. Any idea how often and how much I should force the fluids? Any advice welcome. I'm not ready to give up just yet. Thanks!

 

[MysteryChicken]

I found my 2 year old favorite hen alive, but listless this morning at the door of her coop. Took to vet. No trauma, no evidence of being egg bound, no obvious illness, parasites etc. I suspect bullying, as this has been an ongoing issue. She seemed normal 2 days ago, yesterday not as active, but eating and she and the whole flock are going through a major molt right now. She dropped 1 pound since her visit to vet a year ago after fox attack (yes, she survived). She is my favorite girl, who loves to follow me around the garden for treats. Yes, she is spoiled. I suspect depression and food deprivation as I witnessed this yesterday among the flock. We've had a lot of rain lately, with little free ranging or interaction with me in a while, which means more confinement than usual. She was given pain medicine by vet. I'm force feeding her an electrolyte/vitamin solution for poultry. She is too weak to eat on her own, barely able to stand. Any idea how often and how much I should force the fluids? Any advice welcome. I'm not ready to give up just yet. Thanks!

What breed is she?

Also what do you feed, including treats, & how often?

 

[teach1rusl]

A lot of rain lately, stress, and lethargy makes me suspect coccidia. I don’t suppose you had a fecal run when you took her to the vet?

 

[kjorgey]

Floppy died in my arms with the warm sun shining on her.

 

[kjorgey]

A lot of rain lately, stress, and lethargy makes me suspect coccidia. I don’t suppose you had a fecal run when you took her to the vet?

My hens are vaccinated and the rest of the flock is healthy. Floppy died in my arms under the warm sunshine. I'll never know. She had pain medicine, so she was comfortable and in her favorite place. Couldn't ask for a more peaceful passing for a hen. I'm beating myself up though trying to figure out what I may have missed. Other than molting, nothing seemed out of sorts for her, though she did lose a pound of weight. I think she just gave up on the bullying in the flock. She survived a fox attack last year with a broken collar bone, but lived happily once healed, although the lowest in the pecking order. I did my best I guess.

 

[teach1rusl]

Awww…I’m sorry. At least she passed knowing kindness and love. And don’t beat yourself up…I had a girl acting sickly for over 6 months…tried many things. Had a necropsy done on her and she basically had congestive heart failure. Just like people, organs fail sometimes.

 

[Eggcessive]

Very sorry for your loss. Chickens hide illness well. Most state vets can perform necropsies/autopsies and testing on chickens to give you a reason for them dying. Some common problems can be reproductive disorders or infections, crop or gizzard disorders which can lead to weight loss, intestinal infection, worms, or mites. I usually do a short necropsy at home, which may be a good time to take some photos which can be posted here or sent to a vet for opinions. A bird that is to be sent or taken for a necropsy on Monday morning should be refrigerated, and examined as soon as possible. Here is a link with most state vets listed:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[kjorgey]

Very sorry for your loss. Chickens hide illness well. Most state vets can perform necropsies/autopsies and testing on chickens to give you a reason for them dying. Some common problems can be reproductive disorders or infections, crop or gizzard disorders which can lead to weight loss, intestinal infection, worms, or mites. I usually do a short necropsy at home, which may be a good time to take some photos which can be posted here or sent to a vet for opinions. A bird that is to be sent or taken for a necropsy on Monday morning should be refrigerated, and examined as soon as possible. Here is a link with most state vets listed:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Vet looked her over very well. No issues identified, but now to my horror,.....I put out 2 over ripe avocados, pit removed 2 days ago.....Rest of flock is fine, not even sure Floppy ate from them....Did I kill her? God I feel terrible now.