Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Smiler33]

Hi, I wonder if I can ask your advice please. On Wednesday one of our chickens 'Sweetie' (don't ask!) passed away. She hadn't been at all unwell, eating etc no probs but I found her poor little body on the floor of the pen on Wednesday lunchtime.

 

I've just gone out and got the other girls in for the night and noticed that Tilly appears unwell. She seems to have difficultly breathing and is opening and closing her beak, her tail is down and she's not eating plus she's sneezing quite a bit. She's also had a mucky bum for a little while.

 

My problem is I don't have anywhere to keep Tilly separate which is what I'd like to do. I'll check her again later but she's not well right now. Does anyone have any ideas please?

[mullethunter]

I'm afraid I can't help but I didn't want to not leave a reply. I would say that even if it's something contagious it would probably be too late to separate them now so you may as well leave Tilly with the others where she'll be less stressed.

 

I'm sure someone else will offer advice, all I'd say is get her to the vets in the morning.

 

Good luck

[Smiler33]

Thanks for your reply!

[Beantree]

Could be a respiratory infection Smiler and the mucky bottom may be a worm burden which will weaken the immune system? When were they last wormed with Flubenvet? Certainly needs an urgent trip to the vets. I agree with what Mullethunter says, separation will add to her stress and is too late now if it is a contagious virus like IB or Mycoplasma.

[gavclojak]

I agree with beantree but iIt could be egg peritonitis, the breathing like that in EP in associated with the fluid build up in the abdomen putting pressure on the rest of the internal organs. That wouldn't account for the sneezing but that could be a coincidence as is the hen that died, you might just be having a unlucky run.

 

When my girl had EP It seemed to worse when they are sitting down, does she have a swollen tummy or can you feel fluid in her tummy? I think she will need to see a chicken savvy vet regardless I'm afraid

[The Dogmother]

Picking up on this a bit late but I hope that your girl is OK and has been to the vet.

 

For future reference; as others have said... by the time that symptoms have appeared, it is usually too late to isolate the poorly hen, and this can cause stress, so I'd only take her out if she was very unwell, and being bothered by the others.

 

Check the breathing of any snuffly hen as soon as you notice a problem.... does the problem seem to be at the top end i.e. is she sniffling from her nostrils? Listen to her breathing - put your ear to her back, between the wings, and see if you can hear normal breathing, or bubbling/crackling/wheezing. If you can hear any of the latter, and/or she has bubbles from her nostrils/eyes, then she will need immediate vet attention, and antibiotics asap.