UPDATE - Golden Comet Tammy is sick and sad - what could be wrong?

[panner123]

Yup, chickens will get worms from time to time. But stopping them from eating earth worms is crazy. Anyone that free range chickens knows they will be eating worms, bugs and anything they want and can catch. This is what they ate long before we came up with special diet for them. Do all the preventive measures to keep your chickens healthy and do what you can to get them well if they get sick. But, let them eat what they like. Remember, there is such a thing as over medicating, that is what has cause the super bug in humans.

 

[dlhunicorn]

This is true however encouraging them by digging them up as treats is truly illadvised

 

[BlueMoon]

Now that I've dewormed all of the chickens, when can I start eating the eggs?

She's still light as a feather, but her appetite is improving with all of the treats. She loves steak! Came running out of the cage for it!

 

[chickbea]

Quote:
She's going to be spoiled rotten by the time all this is over!

 

[BlueMoon]

She's eating better now, but walks around with her tail dropped. Any ideas why? Her tail is nearly lowered to the ground, feathers dragging!

 

[redwa]

I would not give her any more cat food, especially when her system is being taxed for whatever reason. When chickens show any signs of ill health, I think it is important to isolate them until you figure out what the problem is and give them a very simple diet of nutritous yet easily digestible food and vitamins or supplements to support their system.

 

[BlueMoon]

She's isolated, and has been for about a week. Sadly, she seems to be taking a turn for the worse.

Her appetite is ok, provided I'm hand feeding her tiny bits of hamburger, corn, tomatoes. She was lying down this morning, had trouble standing up, trouble keeping upright.

Tail is still dropped. She's now lonely and depressed too.

I think she's gained some weight back, but her health is just not good. We're keeping the room warm, giving her anything we think she'll like and just don't know what else to do. Her wattles are purplish and shrivelled, comb is going purple. Her feathers are dull and she's often hunched up and puffed out. We're at a loss.

 

[dlhunicorn]

It would seem that perhaps something might going on in her reproductive tract? There are so many things it would be impossible to take a guess... there is a thread on eggvbound here in this forum and I posted lots of info there... perhpas if you read through the info I have posted something might ring a bell? It could also be that she has been so very ill and that this has simply taken its toll and she is getting ready to molt...
What you can do is to give a good complete poultry nutritional/vitamin supplement (Avia Charge 2000 is one of the few complete supplements and you can order this from McMurray) ... also offer her freechoice live culutre yogurt (not the desert / pasteurized one)
I do hope she perks up soon...

 

[BlueMoon]

Thank you - will try the yogurt today.

I bathed her about ten days ago, when I brought her in and she was so cold. Her abdomen felt off - kind of deflated. Had thought that was more to do with the emaciation.

I don't know if she had been a layer. I have about 15 Golden Comets (ok, they're all named Tammy, except for one, BeBe, who is exceptionally chatty and social), so I'm not always on top of who's laying.

Sounds like it's good to keep a chicken log - maybe I'll start a new thread.

 

[jjthink]

Is it possible to get this little lady to a good avian vet? Her decline is worrisome.....I am hoping that everything will work out okay......
JJ