What's wrong?

[seminolewind]

My Ameraucana will probably die. Her comb is red, her vent is pale. She's shiny.
She is too weak to eat. She will take a few steps then close her eyes. She will eat a crumb then close her eyes. I know she's not eating, but feels plump. She sleeps all the time, even standing. She can't walk more than a few steps before closing her eyes and resting.

This has been coming on for the last month or so, very gradually getting worse. She laid 2 eggs last year, and none this year. 3 years old. She ate and lives the same way the other 20 hens do. She's not all fluffed up like a sick chicken. She's been wormed and has no skin parasites.

Internal layer? Tumor? In pain?

Someone please help me thru this. I just don't know what to do

 

[ranchhand]

Egg bound? Internal layer? Is she pooping and if so, what does it looks like?

Wish I had a better idea, so sorry.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

So sorry, I don't know what to tell you

 

[3goodeggs]

Speckled hen had a hen who was an internal layer, search for her thread on 'Ivy'.
Three is awfully young to stop laying...I have read that they walk like a penguin if they are filling with egg.
I am sorry about this.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

She may also have fluid build-up, which would make her seem plump like you state.


Fluid will build up in their body cavity and press on the organs - making it hard for them to breath and uncomfortable.


I know Speckledhen has also had a hen she drained. I would search her posts and read up, maybe pm her for advice.

 

[seminolewind]

Well, I'm still not sure what is wrong. We were going to euthanize her today, but this morning she was eating, pecking around, took some cookie crumbs from DH's hand, and looked more alert. She's still closing her eyes like something's wrong, but I still have to say that she looks better today. I guess we'll wait and see.

 

[tammye]

I had a hen that acted that way last summer, sleeping with her head under her wing in the middle of a field, didn't keep up with the flock, wanting to sleep all the time. I took her in the house to keep her safe and warm, I held food and water up to her beak to force her to take a little, I was sure she was going to die, being my favorite hen, of course, I was hoping for the best. I got some electrolyte solution and put it in her water, I fed her fresh corn, because my girls will do anything for fresh corn, they would even pospone death until the bowl was empty and she lived, she has been fine now for about 6 months, she may have contracted a disease that she was able to overcome. I also have seen a similar behavior in one of my molting hens this fall, sleepy, pale comb, not much movement, I gave her electrolyte solution in water in her mouth with a syringe because I could not get her to drink and no kidding in like an hour she seemed so much more alert and active, so now I give the hens electrolyte solution once a week in their water. worth a try, it's cheap 7 bucks at the feed store

 

[seminolewind]

Tammye, you are too funny!- girls postponing death for fresh corn! I am going to put e-lytes in her water tomorrow morning. She's in a coop/pen with another sweet hen, I think they really like eachother. I give them french toast for breakfast every morning!