Very sick hen

[ChicaJT3]

My Barnevelder hen is very unwell. She has always been more to herself and not very friendly but I noticed her staying completely by herself a couple days ago. Was able to catch her and she feels very thin and lethargic. Her poop is green pellet like and watery. I have recently dewormed all my birds with safeguard. I see no signs of mites or lice. Have given her a couple soaks now in epsom salt. Able to syringe her some electrolyte probiotic water and she lets me. Was able to get some scrambled egg in her some yesterday but no interest now. Syringed her some water down layer feed just to try and get something in her. Any suggestions on what else I can try and offer her that would give her some nutrition? At this point I'm just trying to offer supportive care to see if she cant pull through. Also how much syringe fluids should she be getting in a day? She is only 9 months old.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Have you treated them for cocci recently? This was how my hen was acting when I had a really bad case of it. She probably had injuries from a raccoon attack before that and the cocci finished her off before I figured out what it was. Do the rest of the flock have healthy looking poop?

 

[Sally PB]

Her poop is green pellet like and watery.

This is a sign of severe malnourishment. She needs food. Look into tube feeding her if you have to, to get something into her.

Some sugar water might help perk her up enough to want to eat.

 

[ChickNanny13]

@Sally PB is right, the color of the poop is a dire sign she needs nutrition. Tube feeding is a good call. Scrambled eggs, boiled egg yolk, tuna, mealworms, moisten her feed (mash), ... Nutri Drench, Rooster Booster/Poultry Cell good supplements. Careful syringing; chicken's right, your left when looking down the throat ... Other side lead to the lungs ... chicken throat anatomy

Has she been bullied?
Lowest in the pecking order?
Have you checked if she's egg bound?
When did she lay last?

@Wyorp Rock. @Eggcessive @azygous @aart @casportpony

 

[ChicaJT3]

No shes not egg bound. eating an Egg was working at first but not anymore. I have been syringe feeding her watered down chicken feed. Ive never tubed a chicken before but I can try. Ill research the anatomy first to make sure I do it right. I did see that it could be a sign of malnourishment but didn't know what else I can try to get down her. No sign of blood in stool with any of the birds so I dont think it could be coccidiosis but I could take a sample to the vet to see. Been syringe feeding her water and liquid food 3times a day. Also giving about 6 drops of Poly vi sol without iron vitamin drops.

Also side note I don't think she has laid an egg yet. Her breed should lay dark brown eggs but the only one laying a dark brown egg is my jersey giant. She should be laying now shouldnt she?

 

[ChicaJT3]

also no injurys or bullying with her. There are a couple younger then her so she bosses them around. She been a real easy hen and never any problems.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

No sign of blood in stool with any of the birds so I dont think it could be coccidiosis but I could take a sample to the vet to see.

You don't always get blood with cocci unfortunately. I would get a sample to thr vet for sure. I'm hoping some of the experts tagged above will jump in

 

[ChicaJT3]

So she passed unfortunately. Very sad about it. I have another hen now not interested in food. She foraged yesterday and is drinking but not eating her pellets. Gave them some probiotic plain yogurt and she ate that. Im very nervous that more will start this pattern. I have been growing them fodder (wheat grass). I may have given them some that had slimmy roots. Didn't have any mold or anything but looking into it more I shouldn't of given them it if the roots where slimmy. If thats the case any suggestions on what to do. I am going to try and get a fecal sample from her and a couple others to take to the vet tomorrow to rule out anything on that end. I just need to get her eating and to keep drinking. Thank you again for those who have offered help so far and to those who are continuing to give advice.

 

[ChicaJT3]

You don't always get blood with cocci unfortunately. I would get a sample to thr vet for sure. I'm hoping some of the experts tagged above will jump in

So update. Had her stool tested. Positive for Coccidia. You were right. All the pictures I google online have blood in stool. None of my birds have blood. Shes pretty bad off. I tubed fed her some baby parrot formula (saw a youtube video on it) and I also gave her some subcutaneous fluids that I had incase for my dog. I think it perked her up a bit but I am hoping she pulls through. Shes a sweety and a fighter. I did get Corid to put in their water and start treatment. I mix some of the medicated water with her formula to get in her. Will do it again every 4 hours tomorrow and more fluids till she starts eating again on her own. Hoping she pulls through and no one else gets sick. If anyone has had to tube feed their chicken and there are dos and don'ts please let me know. Thanks for the help!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Make sure you don't give any vitamins with the corid. She isn't drinking on her own?