What's wrong with this girl?

[mistymac]

1) What type of bird, age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Light Brahma, 3-4 years old (I'm not sure exactly she was given to us), our birds free range and we don't really pick them up so I can't say whether she feels lighter than normal or not. She doesn't look thinner than normal but I know feathers can be deceiving.

2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Went in the coop this morning to find her still on the roost. Darkened comb and waddles. Watery eyes. When we picked her up she was shaking not sure if it was because of fear or something else. She seems lethargic. Squinty eyes. She is 3+ years old (maybe even 4)

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
As far as I know since this morning. I'm assuming she just didn't get off the roost. But she could've been in there since last night. So maybe up to 24 hours

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma?
No, I checked her vent and everything seems normal.

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Nothing that I can think of other than her age... when I got her she was at least two years old so as far as I know she's 3+

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Layer feed. Just recently within the last week I've been supplementing with some fermented feed but they have also had access to their normal dry layer feed as well

8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
I don't really know she's one of 16 free ranging birds so it's hard to tell exactly what hers looks like. Under the roost everything looks pretty normal though.

9) What has been the treatment you have administered?
Nothing yet

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?
I'd love to do whatever I can for her here at home. I can't see taking her to the vet. I do want to treat as necessary ESPECIALLY if it's something that can be passed to the rest of the flock. I do t want her suffering and will euthanize if necessary.

11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.

12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Converted shed coop, plywood floor, pine shaving bedding

 

[mistymac]

Her comb isn't as dark as it was and I've isolated her. Added vitamins to her water. Does anyone have ANY idea what's going on!?

 

[Eggcessive]

Usually a black comb is a result of poor oxygen in the blood, perhaps from heart failure, but could be respiratory as well. She looks very ill, and if vet care is available, I would take her in. Is she drinking her water? Can you also offer her some chopped egg and add a lot of water to her feed? Since you have just started the fermented feed in the last week, do you think that might be a problem? Have you made FF before? Can you pick her up to feel her breastbone to check if she has lost weight? Look her over for evidence of lice and mites as well. How does her crop feel? Empty, partly full, soft, or like a balloon?

 

[mistymac]

Usually a black comb is a result of poor oxygen in the blood, perhaps from heart failure, but could be respiratory as well. She looks very ill, and if vet care is available, I would take her in. Is she drinking her water? Can you also offer her some chopped egg and add a lot of water to her feed? Since you have just started the fermented feed in the last week, do you think that might be a problem? Have you made FF before? Can you pick her up to feel her breastbone to check if she has lost weight? Look her over for evidence of lice and mites as well. How does her crop feel? Empty, partly full, soft, or like a balloon?

When I got back home this afternoon, I decided to inspect a little better. Upon closer examination I now see a lump on her sinus area. I'm assuming respiratory now. She's in a doggie crate in the garage and is a bit more spry than this morning. She is drinking a lot of water (which I put vitamins and ACV in). As I think about it more, a few days ago I witnessed our roo trying rather aggressively to breed her. She is the oldest on the flock and NEVER lets him, but he wasn't taking no for an answer this time! I'm wondering if amid the shuffle and rather rough mating, she inhaled some dust/debris.

I will cook her up an egg and give it to her along with the layer pellet. This is the first time I've made FF and I'm not seeing any adverse affects in any of the other flock members so I don't think that is the problem now that I see the sinus lump.

I've swabbed her nostrils with VetRX now too and will continue to do so.

 

[mistymac]

Well, our girl didn't last through the night

 

[Eggcessive]

Well, our girl didn't last through the night

I am so sorry that you lost her, but with the way she looked in the picture, I am not surprised. Take care.