Sick Hen

Posted by Sydni Stout on March 24, 2011 at 2:30pm

Hey everyone,

I'm new here and am just looking for a little advice. My hen has been sick for about 2 days (that I've noticed). I think it may be constipation of some sort. She hasn't been laying for a while now and I'm guessing she's a few years old. She's been lethargic and much less talkative than normal. Her vent is swollen and reddish-purple. I've been giving her yogurt and soaking/bathing her in warm water to help get things moving again. Today after her bath I noticed she had bloody stool and was pooping blood. She's doing a little better than earlier and has taken a few pecks at her food and water but I'm still quite worried.

Any advice on what this may be or how I can treat her?

Or anyone know of a good but inexpensive vet in the area?

 

Thank you!

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Replies

  • Sydni Stout March 26, 2011 at 7:30am
    She passed away last night, but thanks to everyone with advice. Her crop didn't seem overly full. I think it was probably coccidiosis that didn't get treated quickly enough.
    • Catherine, The Herb Lady > Sydni Stout March 26, 2011 at 7:51am
      Sorry to learn that Sydni, always sad to lose any critters.  You have some information that will help you going forward.
  • David Hamilton March 24, 2011 at 7:25pm

    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

     

    This site has a chart of poultry illness...download the pdf.

    PS47/PS044: Common Poultry Diseases
  • Rachel March 24, 2011 at 3:30pm

    When you say she hasn't been laying for awhile now, does that mean years, or since last fall when she molted/the days got shorter? How long have you had her/where did you get her? Have you seen anything else odd in her poop? Blood can be a sign of coccidiosis but it can also be a sign of internal injury caused by a foreign object, broken egg, excessive parasite load. Egg binding could be a possibility, however if she is going to the bathroom, there obviously isn't an egg blocking the path. How is her weight? A chicken that has lots of parasites/coccidosis will sometimes not lay as a result of the stress and nutrient drain put on her system. Keep us posted on her progress.

    As for vets, Dr. Nathan Scholten (who is a member of this org) in North Phx and Dr. Hillary Frank. I can't speak to price as I'm not sure what this would require.

    • Sydni Stout > Rachel March 24, 2011 at 4:01pm

      Well, she was at the place we rent when we moved in last July. She was fully grown then so that's why I estimate her to be fairly old. Since we've had her, she has laid 2 eggs - one in July and the other in August I believe. The second wasn't fully developed.

      I guess her poop was a bit loose/watery the day before she was sick but it didn't seem unusual looking besides that, which happens occasionally anyway.Her weight is fine. She's always been pretty big. Today she felt a little smaller than normal.

      I did consider coccidiosis but I don't know what the signs would be or how to treat it? Also, what other kinds of parasites could it be?

      She's been acting even better now. She got up and went outside, pecked at the ground, pooped a few times, even acted interested in what we were eating.

       

      Thanks for the suggestions!

    • David Hamilton > Sydni Stout March 24, 2011 at 8:14pm
      is her crop overlly full?
    • Sydni Stout > David Hamilton March 25, 2011 at 10:22am
      I'm not sure what is meant by crop. I'm sorry, I'm new to this. Chicken has been very hearty up until this point.
    • Catherine, The Herb Lady > Sydni Stout March 25, 2011 at 2:34pm
      The crop is the 'first part of the stomach' and is just under the chin and extends down the front of the breast. By touch you can feel it she has food in there or not.
  • Catherine, The Herb Lady March 24, 2011 at 2:35pm

    Hi Sydni,

     

    Some of the folks who currently have hens can probably offer more and better advice, but soaking her rear will be of some assistance.  Are you giving her enough grit?  Do you think she was/is getting enough water.  You may need to make a wet mash to ensure she is getting enough moisture.  If you are careful not get it down her lungs you can give her some additional water with an eye dropper.  Hope some of the other folks have additional advice and a vet recommendation.  Hope you are able to help her.

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