What’s wrong with my hen Red?

[Wyorp Rock]

The Extra Calcium is normally given to help a hen through crisis (about 5-7days).

I would not continually give for more than 7days.

It's hard to know what's going on with her. I would suspect something reproductive, which is a common cause of not feeling well in hens.

You've dewormed, given extra calcium and discussed the symptom Ascites. If she has fluid in the abdomen, then that would point to reproductive and/or organ dysfunction.

Often hens with these conditions wax and wane for a good while. Offer supportive care like you have been doing and monitor her.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/is-this-water-belly-😭.1684362/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/yellow-green-urate.1684605/

 

[FarrFreshEggs]

The Extra Calcium is normally given to help a hen through crisis (about 5-7days).

I would not continually give for more than 7days.

It's hard to know what's going on with her. I would suspect something reproductive, which is a common cause of not feeling well in hens.

You've dewormed, given extra calcium and discussed the symptom Ascites. If she has fluid in the abdomen, then that would point to reproductive and/or organ dysfunction.

Often hens with these conditions wax and wane for a good while. Offer supportive care like you have been doing and monitor her.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/is-this-water-belly-.1684362/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/yellow-green-urate.1684605/

Ok will do. I’m wondering how often I could give her the calcium citrate. After a week or two of off and then do another spurt. She just declined so quickly when I discontinued it.


the one of her flock that I thought was ascites actually, when I went to go drain, I really felt around and I’m thinking she may have a tumor or growth in her lower abdomen. When I felt around I noticed a lump in her lower right side that I could grasp so I decided not to try to drain. She seems comfortable enough and is still laying, eating and drinking so I’ll let her be. (That one is Schatzi, my marans).

It’s Red that keeps bringing me back. She’s just a rollercoaster. But I will keep her comfortable for however long I can.
Again, the advice is greatly appreciated. So thank you so so much.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can probably give her the Extra Calcium for a few more days to see if she improves.
If a hen is not actively laying, in time Extra Calcium can affect the kidneys, cause gout, etc.

Oh, I see that was a Marans in the Ascites thread. I agree, if you felt a mass in the abdomen, then holding off draining was probably a good idea. Perhaps cancer, eyp, salpingitis = hard to know what the mass is unless you lose her and investigate further. That's what I do if I wonder what something was, not always easy, but its often a way to connect the dots so to speak.