Vent gleet and molting? Not sure

[Bawkbok]

I'm sorry your hen is dealing with this. As a new chicken owner, health issues can be scary. Wyorp Rock is a trusted educator and offers sound advice so follow it closely.

I just wanted to pop in to say welcome to BYC and congratulations on your chicken adventure. I don't have other advice to offer, just sending positive thoughts all things turn in the right direction and your chicken feels better. Hang in there.

 

[Fallenoak]

Glad you were able to get a fecal float.

If you want to compare her with other hens, can you go out late when they are roosting and feel some of the others? I find it easiest to check birds over when it's dark and they are roosting. I'm not keen on chasing down chickens LOL
Wear a headlamp, it frees up your hands. I use one and it has a red light option, use the red light which doesn't disturb the chickens quite so easily as a bright white light does.

Oh thank you, great tip! I ended up being able to compare with the other birds, she’s definitely soooooo swollen. The vet recommended checking her vent for a stuck egg, and I could hardly even get my finger in there I did end up giving her another Epsom salt bath per recommendation from the vet just to make sure I’ve done all I can do to expel an egg if it were there. No dice. Even though the fecal float came back negative, it was a very bad sample. They said her issue is most likely either parasites of some sort or something reproductive. They are having me worm the whole flock just in case, and then gave me lots of vitamins and electrolytes for the sick gal. She is still eating and drinking, and made it through the night again. This is day 3 of knocking on deaths door, I feel so bad for her. Vet was not optimistic, but I feel like I need to give her my best shot.

 

[Fallenoak]

I'm sorry your hen is dealing with this. As a new chicken owner, health issues can be scary. Wyorp Rock is a trusted educator and offers sound advice so follow it closely.

I just wanted to pop in to say welcome to BYC and congratulations on your chicken adventure. I don't have other advice to offer, just sending positive thoughts all things turn in the right direction and your chicken feels better. Hang in there.

Thank you so much! Yes I’m incredibly grateful for all the advice, this community seems wonderful! Being a new chicken owner can be so confusing!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Did you give her the calcium?

Giving the Extra Calcium (300mg Calcium Citrate+D3) once daily for a week may be helpful if she's struggling to expel an egg, membrane or lash material.

 

[Fallenoak]

Did you give her the calcium?

Yes! But not until today

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The vet recommended checking her vent for a stuck egg, and I could hardly even get my finger in there I did end up giving her another Epsom salt bath per recommendation from the vet just to make sure I’ve done all I can do to expel an egg if it were there. No dice. Even though the fecal float came back negative, it was a very bad sample. They said her issue is most likely either parasites of some sort or something reproductive. They are having me worm the whole flock just in case, and then gave me lots of vitamins and electrolytes for the sick gal. She is still eating and drinking, and made it through the night again.

Feeling inside the vent doesn't really help anything I've found. I know that used to be a standard recommendation along with soaking. After several years, I've come to the conclusion, soaking is usually not that beneficial either, especially for a sick/lethargic hen that is bloated. Its stressful for them as is feeling in the vent.

I'd give her the calcium, keep her hydrated. If she's really full of fluid and is having any issues breathing, then draining may be of benefit to give her some comfort and relief, but this is a supportive care measure. Give the Calcium.
I'd leave her with her flock if she's not getting picked on. Yes, she may stand off from the others or find a place out of the way and sit, but the flock is her "home" and usually where most comfortable.

 

[Fallenoak]

Feeling inside the vent doesn't really help anything I've found. I know that used to be a standard recommendation along with soaking. After several years, I've come to the conclusion, soaking is usually not that beneficial either, especially for a sick/lethargic hen that is bloated. Its stressful for them as is feeling in the vent.

I'd give her the calcium, keep her hydrated. If she's really full of fluid and is having any issues breathing, then draining may be of benefit to give her some comfort and relief, but this is a supportive care measure. Give the Calcium.
I'd leave her with her flock if she's not getting picked on. Yes, she may stand off from the others or find a place out of the way and sit, but the flock is her "home" and usually where most comfortable.

Thank you so much for your recommendations. You are so helpful! She unfortunately passed overnight, I think we were too late to intervene and help much. She was already so sick. I wish I would’ve intervened sooner. I will keep all your advice in mind for next time! Hopefully there isn’t a next time

 

[Bawkbok]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss.
Wishing you would have intervened sooner would probably not have helped her situation. Reproductive disorders are not curable. The only thing you can do is provide supportive care which may or may not prolong the inevitable. Feeling your pain. Hugs.

Unfortunately, the sex link hybrids are designed to be high producers, eggs almost every day so therefore, they are more susceptible and prone to reproductive issues and a shorter life span.

I can share with you that over two years we've had 8 red sex links and only one of them has been a good one, meaning healthy and a top producer. The 7 others, all died from various reproductive issues at a very young age in a short amount of time.

You may want to consider keeping heritage breeds which take longer to start laying, lay less frequently but still consistently and they live longer and tend to be healthier.