Unsecure chicken perches

[daisymay]

HI

 

I noticed this morning that another of my girls is looking a bit peaky. She seems very quiet compared to normal. I have been keeping an eye on her all day and she is still quiet. I've been to try and catch her to isolate her but she is running off. I have stopped as I don't want to stress her anymore. I will catch her when they go in to roost shortly.

 

She has got a darker (very very slightly blue tinged) comb. She is doing a small amount of runny poo and has got some of it on the feather near her bottom. Her eyes are fine and she is not sneezing/coughing at all.

 

I lost a hen a couple of weeks ago very suddenly (my posting said sneezed then just died). I am starting to wonder if there is a funny viral thing going on. I know it sounds really mean, but unfortunately I do not currently have much spare money so I am hoping to avoid the vets.

 

Has anyone else had such a thing?

 

Thanks in advance

[Plum]

The blue on the comb could indicate she's not getting enough oxygen so could be heart, raised abdominal pressure or just dirty.

Avian influenza can also cause blue comb and diarrhoea and sudden death but you haven't mentioned all the symptoms so I think that is a long shot.

 

One of my girls used to get a blue comb when she was having trouble laying and it resolved when a difficult egg was passed. She was a bit loose then as well.

 

I would check her over for signs of swollen abdomen or difficulty laying and check her breathing and for nasal discharge and if you can't find anything then I'd worm her and keep a good eye for other symptoms.

 

If it persists then guess you will have to consider vet especially if she is in distress or stops eating and drinking. Good luck let us know how she is.

[daisymay]

Well, she is no better. I have tried giving her my guinea pig run to have some breathing space as the other girls were truly horrible to her yesterday when I reintroduced her.

It feels as if her abdomen is slightly bloated. Her tail is going up and down slightly and her wings are halfway down. She is not moving around or eating/drinking today.

I have run the vet and they have said it could be a variety of things. The receptionist suggested egg bound as an option. She has never been my best layer and doesn't lay with any regular frequency so i don't know if she was due to lay.

I am going on holiday on Saturday morning and am really stressing about it now. My neighbours look after my animals when I am away, but I can't expect them to deal with this.

 

Do you have any suggestions?

[Chucky Mama]

Oh dear, she sounds pretty unwell. She is unlikely to be eggbound to be honest. If her abdomen feels abnormal there could be some fluid or a tumour in there. Her wings being held out could be because she is either hot or struggling to get air. She really should not be left while you are away without having seen a vet. To be absolutely honest, her outlook does not sound very promising. Good Luck and keep us posted.

[Plum]

Poor thing the tail going up and down happens when their breathing is laboured and they are in distress.

My suggestion is get to vet quick. Sorry but you need help to get her better or to end things