Young Hen in serious condition

[chickenMamee]

My hen is 5 months and is mixed Copper Maran/Orpington.
She started laying eggs at about 4 months old. She laid every day for a week and then every other day.
I noticed about 8 days ago she just quit laying. She seemed okay so I was thinking maybe someone was eating her egg but that’s not the case.
She started walking very slow two days ago but continued to eat. She also had her beak opened and breathing heavily. She stretches her neck out and tail is all the way down. She does not eat or drink as of today. Her crop is empty but her abdomen feels large.
I’ve given her warm baths, massaged her abdomen, dripping water down her throat, checked her vent and feel no egg. I lubricated her vent just in case.
I’ve given her food but she’s to lethargic to eat. She has no mites and was wormed in late Fall. None of my other flock shows illness.
What do I need to do? Thank you for any suggestions!

 

[chickenMamee]

My hen is 5 months and is mixed Copper Maran/Orpington.
She started laying eggs at about 4 months old. She laid every day for a week and then every other day.
I noticed about 8 days ago she just quit laying. She seemed okay so I was thinking maybe someone was eating her egg but that’s not the case.
She started walking very slow two days ago but continued to eat. She also had her beak opened and breathing heavily. She stretches her neck out and tail is all the way down. She does not eat or drink as of today. Her crop is empty but her abdomen feels large.
I’ve given her warm baths, massaged her abdomen, dripping water down her throat, checked her vent and feel no egg. I lubricated her vent just in case.
I’ve given her food but she’s to lethargic to eat. She has no mites and was wormed in late Fall. None of my other flock shows illness.
What do I need to do? Thank you for any suggestions!

I also added a little AC vinegar to water.
I just don’t know what has happened but suspect it’s to do with her reproductive system especially since she started laying so young.

 

[micstrachan]

Yes, sounds like this lovely has a reproductive problem. I’m sorry. I would try calcium citrate plus D3 for a few days, just in case there is a calcium issue. You could try draining her abdomen, but that would only provide temporary relief. Is this girl a beloved pet? If so, you might consider an avian vet, but the long term prognosis may not be good.
How does her poop look? A GI infection is another possibility, so you could always try a round of antiibiotics.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She started walking very slow two days ago but continued to eat. She also had her beak opened and breathing heavily. She stretches her neck out and tail is all the way down. She does not eat or drink as of today. Her crop is empty but her abdomen feels large.
I’ve given her warm baths, massaged her abdomen, dripping water down her throat, checked her vent and feel no egg. I lubricated her vent just in case.
I’ve given her food but she’s to lethargic to eat.

I also added a little AC vinegar to water.
I just don’t know what has happened but suspect it’s to do with her reproductive system especially since she started laying so young.

I'm so sorry about your pullet
I agree with you, it does sound like she has a reproductive problem. Could be something going on with her liver if she has fluid in the abdomen.
IF there is fluid in the abdomen, sometimes it can be drained to help give some relief, a lot depends on the underlying cause.

It's very sad, she's young. If you have vet care, that is best or if you happen to lose her, then a necropsy would be a good idea. Your state lab can perform that or if you are up to it, an informal exam - looking in the abdomen, at the heart/liver and reproductive system may show what happened. Take photos and we will help you with what you see.

 

[chickenMamee]

I also added a little AC vinegar to water.
I just don’t know what has happened but suspect it’s to do with her reproductive system especially since she started laying so young.

I'm so sorry about your pullet
I agree with you, it does sound like she has a reproductive problem. Could be something going on with her liver if she has fluid in the abdomen.
IF there is fluid in the abdomen, sometimes it can be drained to help give some relief, a lot depends on the underlying cause.

It's very sad, she's young. If you have vet care, that is best or if you happen to lose her, then a necropsy would be a good idea. Your state lab can perform that or if you are up to it, an informal exam - looking in the abdomen, at the heart/liver and reproductive system may show what happened. Take photos and we will help you with what you see.

Thanks for the reply.
I don’t have a vet in the area that sees chickens. You’d think that being in Mississippi that there would be plenty of good old country docs but there’s not anymore.
I’ve thought about draining her abdomen but most all information states that it’s just a quick fix for a short time.
It’s awful that I can’t help her! She breathes with gasps really. She has not pooped all day long nor tonight because she’s not wanting to eat. I’ve been syringing a tad of water into her mouth to at least give her some wetness to her throat. She’s a beautiful girl and such a docile one. I’m going to give her a day or so to see what her condition is before I make a decision to cull her. I’ve only ever lost one other chicken to an illness and it was reproductive issues.
Thanks

 

[chickenMamee]

Yes, sounds like this lovely has a reproductive problem. I’m sorry. I would try calcium citrate plus D3 for a few days, just in case there is a calcium issue. You could try draining her abdomen, but that would only provide temporary relief. Is this girl a beloved pet? If so, you might consider an avian vet, but the long term prognosis may not be good.
How does her poop look? A GI infection is another possibility, so you could always try a round of antiibiotics.

Thanks for the reply.
I gave her a TUMS anti acid pill coated in a little Vaseline earlier today. I was desperate. I’m more concerned with her not eating or drinking. She’s had zero poops all day or tonight as she nothing in her. I’ve given her drops of water with a syringe into her mouth. She’s not comfortable lying or sitting so she mostly just stands. I know people that aren’t chicken folks think I’m crazy but I love my animals and feel they are my responsibility.
Thanks again and I told my husband that all I can really do is pray that she’s comfortable and hopefully recovers.

 

[micstrachan]

It’s not crazy. I love my animals, too. I’m so sorry if yours is suffering. Can you offer her something irresistible like live meal worms or raw egg?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’ve thought about draining her abdomen but most all information states that it’s just a quick fix for a short time.
It’s awful that I can’t help her! She breathes with gasps really. She has not pooped all day long nor tonight

The poor dear
If she has not improved and you can't drain her, it would be best to cull her and put her out of her misery.
Draining can be a temporary fix, but could help ease her breathing if is full of fluid.
Some people use a detox to help with their birds, you can read about that HERE. But draining would still be needed for immediate supportive care, then see if the detox helps in the long run.

 

[chickenMamee]

The poor dear
If she has not improved and you can't drain her, it would be best to cull her and put her out of her misery.
Draining can be a temporary fix, but could help ease her breathing if is full of fluid.
Some people use a detox to help with their birds, you can read about that HERE. But draining would still be needed for immediate supportive care, then see if the detox helps in the long run.

Today I decided to move her outside so that she could see and hear her flock friends. I offered her water by way of syringe and she was so thirsty she drank several! I put a water pan in front of her and she greedily drank for a good while. Her comb is pretty shriveled but still red in color, thankfully.
She drank enough to produce a large stream of white liquid poop. But, I also saw what looked like a little yolk appearance too. She will not eat anything offered. Scramble egg, raisins, bread, nothing. But, she seems a hair bit stronger as she’s walked a few steps and has bright eyes. She hasn’t been closing her eyes today either like she’s been doing most of last days.
I’m cautiously optimistic at this point.

 

[chickenMamee]

Today I decided to move her outside so that she could see and hear her flock friends. I offered her water by way of syringe and she was so thirsty she drank several! I put a water pan in front of her and she greedily drank for a good while. Her comb is pretty shriveled but still red in color, thankfully.
She drank enough to produce a large stream of white liquid poop. But, I also saw what looked like a little yolk appearance too. She will not eat anything offered. Scramble egg, raisins, bread, nothing. But, she seems a hair bit stronger as she’s walked a few steps and has bright eyes. She hasn’t been closing her eyes today either like she’s been doing most of last days.
I’m cautiously optimistic at this point.

Also, I forgot to mention that she’s not gasping today!! That’s most important as last night I thought she was not going to survive. Maybe the long soakings I have her yesterday helped her. I haven’t felt her abdomen today because of all of the drama yesterday. I’m trying to handle her as little as possible so she doesn’t get upset. I’ll wait until she’s sleeping to check her.
Thanks!