tokenwelshman Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Hi I'm hoping somebody recognises these symptoms. A lot of the websites on chicken diseases seem to assume that you alreaady know the name of the disease you're interested in! So, one of mine (Martha) has become fairly ill-looking in the last few days. Comb has gone pale, she is very lethargic, sits around not wanting to do much (where previously she was clearly the "boss" of the run). She has been eating but appetite is clearly not as it should be. Bank end seems a bit mucky and the bottom of the coop has been messy in recent days. Her feathers are fluffed up too. No idea if she is laying or not, as they free range and it has been some time since I last knew where they actually lay the things when they are outdoors... She has been wormed recently. No obvious sign of mites or other insects. I've dusted her with mite powder just in case. Does anybody recognise this set of symptoms? Thanks in advance for any advice.... Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 What did you worm her with? It could be a number of things. Egg bound or peritonitis or just feeling under the weather with a cold. Most important thing is to keep her warm and her fluids up. Bring her indoors and keep her warm. Plenty of water available. Maybe add a little honey to the water to keep her glucose levels up? As she has been like it for a couple of days, I would take her to a vet for a check up. Hope she is better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokenwelshman Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 What did you worm her with? Verm-X. Whatever the recommended dose is, over three days. Her two coopmates don't seem to have been affected at all... I also assumed it wouldn't be anything infectious for the same reason? Thanks for the advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 I would worm her again with something designed to get rid of worms - Verm-x is more of a preventative. Try Flubenvet which is the current recommended active wormer. Either way, as Christian says, bring her in and keep her warm, see if she perks up with a proper wormer and take her to the vet if there is no improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokenwelshman Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 I would worm her again with something designed to get rid of worms - Verm-x is more of a preventative. Try Flubenvet which is the current recommended active wormer. Ah, didn't appreciate the difference. Right - I'll do this. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 No problem - always worth blitzing the worms first as they seem to be the most common cause for those symptoms. Hope she perks up for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokenwelshman Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 They all get a fair amount of time outside so who knows what they've been eating. Worms therefore seem a likely candidate! Order now placed for Flubenvet... Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Great, If it is worms, then the Flubenvet should do the trick. Worms can make them feel really out of sorts. Plus it can just affect one of the flock, even though they will probably all have them. Just depends on how bad the infestation is. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokenwelshman Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Unfortunately Martha passed away today. She seemed to improve a bit since I first posted this message, her appetite improved significantly and she seemed much more active. This was even before the Flubenvet arrived. However, this morning I found her in the coop in a pretty bad state, and she died not long after this. She had a great couple of years, though. Lots of free ranging, a very active life, and two other chickens to boss around. Wonder who will become top chook now. RIP Martha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahelliott Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 my beautiful hen Esmee also died of the same symptoms last night, such a shame perhaps it is just the general waring out process as Esmee was getting on a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokenwelshman Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Sorry to hear that. I wasn't sure whether 2 years could be considered to be old age for a chicken or not... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
