Yellow watery diarrhea (picture included)

[wild chick]

A couple of weeks ago my oldest hen was a bit lethargic and having watery poop with a yellow tint. Lasted about a week and she got better with no treatment. This morning it's back again, she didn't get off the roost until I went and picked her up. I gave her some bread soaked in raw egg which she ate. If she lives to June 21st she'll be 9 years old, so I'm thinking this is probably a downhill slide, but thought I'd ask here for ideas on treatments or comfort care if this continues. Wyanndotte, hasn't laid in over a year.

 

[RedHillChicken]

A couple of weeks ago my oldest hen was a bit lethargic and having watery poop with a yellow tint. Lasted about a week and she got better with no treatment. This morning it's back again, she didn't get off the roost until I went and picked her up. I gave her some bread soaked in raw egg which she ate. If she lives to June 21st she'll be 9 years old, so I'm thinking this is probably a downhill slide, but thought I'd ask here for ideas on treatments or comfort care if this continues. Wyanndotte, hasn't laid in over a year.

View attachment 4130269

What breed is she? Have you seen any lash eggs? What color is her comb? Does she look or feel bloated under her vent between her legs?

 

[wild chick]

What breed is she? Have you seen any lash eggs? What color is her comb? Does she look or feel bloated under her vent between her legs?

Wyandotte, almost 9 years old, hasn't laid in well over a year, comb is normal (pale red) for non-layer, is not bloated or swollen anywhere, nor is she overly thin. Just basically an old hen.

 

[RedHillChicken]

I'm going to rely on these experts to look at this.
@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
@coach723

 

[wild chick]

I'd like suggestions to ease or cure the illness, but more than anything, if she's on her way out suggestions from people who've had a beloved freeloader for this long... Not a lap pet, just a special chicken.

 

[RedHillChicken]

I'd like suggestions to ease or cure the illness, but more than anything, if she's on her way out suggestions from people who've had a beloved freeloader for this long... Not a lap pet, just a special chicken.

Let's see if some of the experts on BYC get back to your questions. 9 years is a long time for a chicken's life, and I know y'all are close. Is she still eating? Please keep taking pictures of her poop, and also let us know if anything changes in her demeanor.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

A couple of weeks ago my oldest hen was a bit lethargic and having watery poop with a yellow tint. Lasted about a week and she got better with no treatment. This morning it's back again, she didn't get off the roost until I went and picked her up. I gave her some bread soaked in raw egg which she ate. If she lives to June 21st she'll be 9 years old, so I'm thinking this is probably a downhill slide, but thought I'd ask here for ideas on treatments or comfort care if this continues. Wyanndotte, hasn't laid in over a year.

View attachment 4130269

At 9 years old she may be starting a decline.

The poop has a lot of mucous, have you dewormed?
She's not laid in a long time, but it's not unheard of for a hen this old to come back into lay for a short period of time. I'd wonder if she's having a hard time expelling an egg or other material.

I'd be inclined to give her 1 Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily for 3-5 days to see if she's able to expel anything.

Check her crop to see that it's emptying and look her over for lice/mites.

Work on hydration and see that she's eating.

You're right, it could just be old age. I'd leave her with her flock if she's not being picked on and can eat/drink on her own. Pull her aside daily for a bit of TLC, supportive care and see how it goes.

 

[wild chick]

So far, she's the same. Normal poop for a few days, now back to the yellow soup. She stays on the roost in the morning way late, but eats a little and drinks water, her comb is a normal color, and she lays down frequently. I feel like she is in an aging decline.

The most interesting thing, there is only one other hen left in the flock, who will be 7 in June. This hen quit laying a couple of years ago, and also grew spurs. Now this hen is watching over her friend as a rooster would. I got some dried larvae treats and when I toss them she stands back to let the ailing chicken have first pick. She stays close to her where ever she goes.

The poop has a lot of mucous, have you dewormed?
She's not laid in a long time, but it's not unheard of for a hen this old to come back into lay for a short period of time. I'd wonder if she's having a hard time expelling an egg or other material.

I'd be inclined to give her 1 Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily for 3-5 days to see if she's able to expel anything.

I haven't dewormed for years... I did think about it when I saw the mucus, but didn't know if it was a good idea to do if it was some other illness. Is the calcium citrate D3 a human supplement you are referring to? size? I have a TSC here if it's something made specifically for chickens. Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So far, she's the same. Normal poop for a few days, now back to the yellow soup. She stays on the roost in the morning way late, but eats a little and drinks water, her comb is a normal color, and she lays down frequently. I feel like she is in an aging decline.

The most interesting thing, there is only one other hen left in the flock, who will be 7 in June. This hen quit laying a couple of years ago, and also grew spurs. Now this hen is watching over her friend as a rooster would. I got some dried larvae treats and when I toss them she stands back to let the ailing chicken have first pick. She stays close to her where ever she goes.


I haven't dewormed for years... I did think about it when I saw the mucus, but didn't know if it was a good idea to do if it was some other illness. Is the calcium citrate D3 a human supplement you are referring to? size? I have a TSC here if it's something made specifically for chickens. Thank you for your suggestions.

View attachment 4135699

You can find Calcium Citrate+D3 at Walmart, CVS, etc. give 1 tablet once daily for 5 days.

For deworming, you can use Safeguard liquid goat dewormer, dose is 0.23ml per pound of weight given orally once daily for 5 days in a row.

Sounds like she and the other hen are good friends. It's not uncommon for hens to have spurs. It's always nice for them to have another that visits with them.

 

[wild chick]

Thanks for the details, I'll pick some of that up.