i need help!!!!
I have 2 free roaming chickens that live together which are about 2.5-3 years old. They are Rhode Island Reds. Part of the backyard is near a wooded area/forest. The smaller of the sisters all of a sudden started staying in her coop and will not eat or stand!
She seems very weak and is letting out a neon yellow/green watery poo (will include picture)
Her comb is very pale and floppy and she feels extremely warm - I have been trying to cool off her legs and comb with cool water thinking this is because of the heat (mid 90s)
I checked through her feathers especially under the wings and vent area but cannot find any signs of mites
She seems very light and I cannot tell if she has an egg stuck
Her bottom is crusted with bright yellow and green poop - almost like a hilighter color. There is no change in the poop. Just a consistent yellow/green for the last 2 days now. As far as I can see, no worms are visible. Could she possibly have eaten something or been bitten by something?
I have tried giving her some plain yogurt and mixing some electrolytes and probiotics with her feed.
When she is lifted and held. Her bottom feels very warm and squishy. Not like her sister. Her sister seems to be just fine. I will include picture for comparison.
Healthy sister is the chicken standing and the sick hen is sitting.
Please help. I’m very worried for her and not many people in my area know much about chickens or can offer much
As for the questions:
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Both girls are Rhode Island Reds and about 2.5-3 years old. The sick one seems very light and bony compared to the other hen
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Very lethargic, feathers puffed, weakness, trouble standing, very wobbly and weak gait, pale and floppy comb, green/yellow poop, refusal to eat and drink, droopy neck, puffed up back/bottom feathers, laying to the side
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Almost 2 days with diarrhea. She began acting a little off 4 days ago but nothing seemed too alarming, she just seemed to be enjoying the shade
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
Her sister seems to be fine, a bit of a dirty bottom as well but eating, scratching, and acting like a normal hen
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
As far as I can see I don’t see any signs of trauma
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I’m wondering if she could have possibly eaten something she shouldn’t have or has been bitten by something
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Both hens have been eating the normal diet for about 2 years now along with whatever critters found outside while roaming. Diet includes pellets, scratch grain, oyster shells, and fruits/vegetables
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Runny and bright yellow and green. Very little dark green solid pieces but mostly water and goo
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Cooling comb and legs (thinking it was because of the heat). Giving probiotics and electrolytes. Isolating from other chicken in a comfortable basket inside with towels and easy reach of food/drink trying to keep her comfortable
10 ) 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?
Anything at this point. I’m very worried she won’t make it but I’ve got to try. She’s my baby
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Housing is a covered 2 story chicken coop with cedar wood shavings on top story (where they nest and sleep at night) while bottom story is the ground (dug up from day time dusting and scrounging) - they are let out daily (unless weather prevents it)
I have 2 free roaming chickens that live together which are about 2.5-3 years old. They are Rhode Island Reds. Part of the backyard is near a wooded area/forest. The smaller of the sisters all of a sudden started staying in her coop and will not eat or stand!
She seems very weak and is letting out a neon yellow/green watery poo (will include picture)
Her comb is very pale and floppy and she feels extremely warm - I have been trying to cool off her legs and comb with cool water thinking this is because of the heat (mid 90s)
I checked through her feathers especially under the wings and vent area but cannot find any signs of mites
She seems very light and I cannot tell if she has an egg stuck
Her bottom is crusted with bright yellow and green poop - almost like a hilighter color. There is no change in the poop. Just a consistent yellow/green for the last 2 days now. As far as I can see, no worms are visible. Could she possibly have eaten something or been bitten by something?
I have tried giving her some plain yogurt and mixing some electrolytes and probiotics with her feed.
When she is lifted and held. Her bottom feels very warm and squishy. Not like her sister. Her sister seems to be just fine. I will include picture for comparison.
Healthy sister is the chicken standing and the sick hen is sitting.
Please help. I’m very worried for her and not many people in my area know much about chickens or can offer much
As for the questions:
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Both girls are Rhode Island Reds and about 2.5-3 years old. The sick one seems very light and bony compared to the other hen
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Very lethargic, feathers puffed, weakness, trouble standing, very wobbly and weak gait, pale and floppy comb, green/yellow poop, refusal to eat and drink, droopy neck, puffed up back/bottom feathers, laying to the side
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Almost 2 days with diarrhea. She began acting a little off 4 days ago but nothing seemed too alarming, she just seemed to be enjoying the shade
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
Her sister seems to be fine, a bit of a dirty bottom as well but eating, scratching, and acting like a normal hen
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
As far as I can see I don’t see any signs of trauma
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I’m wondering if she could have possibly eaten something she shouldn’t have or has been bitten by something
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Both hens have been eating the normal diet for about 2 years now along with whatever critters found outside while roaming. Diet includes pellets, scratch grain, oyster shells, and fruits/vegetables
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Runny and bright yellow and green. Very little dark green solid pieces but mostly water and goo
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Cooling comb and legs (thinking it was because of the heat). Giving probiotics and electrolytes. Isolating from other chicken in a comfortable basket inside with towels and easy reach of food/drink trying to keep her comfortable
10 ) 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?
Anything at this point. I’m very worried she won’t make it but I’ve got to try. She’s my baby
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Housing is a covered 2 story chicken coop with cedar wood shavings on top story (where they nest and sleep at night) while bottom story is the ground (dug up from day time dusting and scrounging) - they are let out daily (unless weather prevents it)
That doesn't sound too good.
