Single hen

[mrs myrtle]

My gingernut, Daisy, appeared to be unwell yesterday - I disturbed her on the nest inadvertently and she took herself out into the run. She then seemed very lethargic, almost as though she was roosting for the night. She eventually walked out of the run to free roam, but then just stood still with ruffled feathers looking all puffed up, opening and (mostly) closing her eyes. She had access to layers pellets and water all day, and otherwise had no obvious symptoms.

 

I wondered if she was suffering from egg bind and with hindsight we may have been one egg down for the previous couple of days. We made her all nice and warm in a box with a hot water bottle, and kept her away from the other two hens overnight and even syringed some water into her.

 

First thing this morning she appeared to be the same. I checked on her a second time an hours later and very sadly found that she had died. Poor Daisy. Her eyes were closed and she was still warm, but very definitely dead. She appeared to have a wet nose with some discharge that we hadn't seen the day before.

 

Can anyone suggest a diagnosis? Can egg bind kill a hen?

 

We had had a few soft eggs in the previous couple of weeks, and I'm wondering if there may have been a calcium deficiency (I gave grit and ground oyster shell)?

 

My husband and I are very upset by Daisy's death and the kids (aged 6 and 2) have taken it well. They want to go to the farm to buy another couple of ladies today, but I'm going to watch the health of the others for a few days first.

 

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated (on a day when the vet's surgeries are closed!).

 

Thank you. Happy Easter.

[tidygirlsuk]

very sorry to hear that she died. sorry i don't know the answer to your qustion.

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear it. It could have been any one of a number of things.

 

Often they have been ill for a while before the symptoms show....it is their way of protecting themselves and keeping their place in the pecking order.

 

You could ask your vet to do a Post Mortem, but it will be costly.

[shiney]

Hi, I am so sad to hear about your daisy, you must be really upset. I have only had my chooks for a few weeks but I am already kinda attached. I had just gone onto the forum to look for advice as my chook aggie looked really off yesterday and sounded exactly the same as your daisy. We let them out to roam the garden and Aggie just sat looking all puffed up with her eyes closed. She went to hide in a bush and looked really off. Seems a bit better this morning but i'm not convinced shes right. Better keep an eye on her. Hope you get some new girls soon and I am glad your kids have taken it well, probably better that you. Take care.

Kim

Aggie

[chelsea]

sorry to hear about your hen. It could have been any number of things she died of unfortunately. Chickens hide their illness very well, it must have been a shock for you to find her passed away.

[Clash City Rocker]

A couple of my chickens are experiencing similar symptoms.

 

Standing in the same position with eyes closed

Puffed out body.

Not eating (though drinking).

Stopped laying, though entering the nesting box, sitting for the usual period of time and laying "just fluid", no shell, no yolk.

 

I can't see any signs of Lice/Mites. Regular droppings.

I've give them Tuna/Chicken Spice/Cider Vinegar etc on a regular basis.

They are around two years old.

 

Of the 7 chickens I had, one died last week, 2 have the symptoms listed above. 4 are normal/healthy.

 

Any Suggestions ?

 

I am wondering whether it is my "Steel" type water feeder which yesterday I noticed had a peculiar "film" on the inside. Been and bought a plastic one today.

[Egluntyne]

Have they been wormed recently Clash?

 

The symptoms you describe would fit with an infestation of worms, which if heavy, can impact on their laying. I would give them a course of Flubenvet and see if that helps.

[chelsea]

this may seem like a silly question Clash, but you dont put ACV in your metal drinker do you?

 

I agree with Eglutine a course of wormer wont do any harm.

 

If symptoms persist I would pop her along to the vet, the poos dont sound right to me.

[Clash City Rocker]

Have they been wormed recently Clash?

 

The symptoms you describe would fit with an infestation of worms, which if heavy, can impact on their laying. I would give them a course of Flubenvet and see if that helps.

 

Cheers Egluntine,

 

I tried to buy some Flubenvet from my local Countrywide Store on Saturday, they had some in-store but no-one qualified to serve me. Going back on Tuesday

 

A new development today. Both of my "unwell" chickens have laid "normal" eggs but then gone back to standing/sitting with their eyes closed, not eating, even treats.

I turned both of them upside down to have a good "feel about" (I am aware that some people disapprove) and they both emptied about half a pint of fluid out of their mouths (all over me). lovely !!!!

 

Any further suggestions ?

[Clash City Rocker]

this may seem like a silly question Clash, but you dont put ACV in your metal drinker do you?

 

 

Yep, but only for the last 22 months ?

[Egluntyne]

ACV reacts with the metal and corrodes it, so the general advice is to use plastic containers.

 

Are the hens crops still full in the mornings?

[Clash City Rocker]

Have they been wormed recently Clash?

 

The symptoms you describe would fit with an infestation of worms, which if heavy, can impact on their laying. I would give them a course of Flubenvet and see if that helps.

 

A new development today. Both of my "unwell" chickens have laid "normal" eggs but then gone back to standing/sitting with their eyes closed, not eating, even treats.

I turned both of them upside down to have a good "feel about" (I am aware that some people disapprove) and they both emptied about half a pint of fluid out of their mouths (all over me). lovely !!!!

 

Update

 

1 of the unwell chickens is today completely back to normal, the other is still emptying fluid from her mouth when turned upside down though she is slightly perkier than she was.

Have now got some Flubenvet and started mixing it with their feed but the 1 chicken that is still unwell is off her food so I'm struggling to get Flubenvet into her.

 

Suggestions please.

[sandyhas3chucks]

my suggestion based on recent loses is take her to a decent vet, I lost mine even with one.We did our best. one of Saddest days of my life I think! try and get some water into her, as they dehydrate real fast. not too much though if that crop is full & squishy. seems to be little point in trying to force them to put stuff in an already full possibly sour(festering bubbling/uncomfortable) crop.

take care when emptying that she doesn't breath it and cinhale it. little bits at a go. will make her more comfortable. and good luck.

mde me blub all over again remembering my poor wee Moe

[Clash City Rocker]

my suggestion based on recent loses is take her to a decent vet, I lost mine even with one.We did our best. one of Saddest days of my life I think! try and get some water into her, as they dehydrate real fast. not too much though if that crop is full & squishy. seems to be little point in trying to force them to put stuff in an already full possibly sour(festering bubbling/uncomfortable) crop.

take care when emptying that she doesn't breath it and cinhale it. little bits at a go. will make her more comfortable. and good luck.

mde me blub all over again remembering my poor wee Moe

 

Unfortunately she died during the night.

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear it.