Chicken bald back

[JellyBean2605]

I bought my hybrids in Oct 2013 so they are nearly 3 now. Both have been happy and healthy. The gingernut ranger stopped laying in April last year (after months of softies and being rather miserable) and seemed well but recently has gone downhill and i'm not sure why. She seems suddenly bigger than our other chicken who's always been the larger one but it seems to be all feathers as her body is normal sized (she had a moult in sept). She is foraging and eating/drinking ok but can't climb the ladder to get to the eglu so sleeps in the dust bath, she can't jump any more so keeps getting stuck in places in the garden that previously didn't bother her. She doesn't seem in pain or distress but appears rather vague in comparison to her companion who is rocketing about as usual, they are normally inseparable but she gets left behind now. This isn't much to go on but i don't see much of them in the winter months, is she ill or is it just old age?

[Beantree]

Sounds like it could be peritonitis JellyBean. That's where a yolk misses the oviduct and ends up in the abdomen. Whilst it is quite normal for it to happen occasionally, if it is frequent the yolks cannot be absorbed back and build up causing pressure in the abdomen. In the worst case this can lead to infection.

 

If she can't get into the coop she is in a very bad way and needs to see a vet immediately. The fact that she seems 'vague' is an indication of the level of pain she is dealing with. You may see that her pupils are dilated as well?

[JellyBean2605]

I did wonder about this but she hasn't laid an egg for over 6 months now, she doesn't even squat when you approach her anymore

[Beantree]

That's the answer I think then JellyBean. She is laying internally. The yolks aren't getting to the oviduct for the white and shell to be created around them.

[Lewis]

Hows she getting on?

 

If she seems a bit miserable in herself and unable to get into the eglu at night I would consider having her put to sleep. It sounds like it could be peritonitis if shes getting bigger than the others.

Is her abdomen swollen and warm? They sometimes start walking like a penguin when it gets worse too.

[JellyBean2605]

We took her to the vets who checked her over as best as possible but couldn't pin down a specific problems. She prescribed baytril for 7 days and at first Ariadne seemed to perk up. However this morning her comb is pale and flopped over, her crop seems full of water which she occasionally throws up, shes hunched a miserable looking with no interest in food or water. seems to have some difficulty breathing and croaks occasionally. Its not looking good, not sure if the vets can do anymore.

[gavclojak]

You say her crop Is full of water, when she "throws up" is it clear fluid? Does it have a smell?

[JellyBean2605]

Actually about an hour ago she vomited up enormous amounts of dark brown foul smelling nastiness! Her crop is now empty and after a quick bath shes wrapped up by the radiator. Shes perked up a bit, preening, walking, showing an interest in drinking but has only had a couple of sips. I'll continue with the baytril and try and encourage some fluids into her later.

[gavclojak]

It sounds like she has sour crop. I know DM recommends stringing neat ACV in to her beak. I have used an antifungal when my girl had it. It May be a result of an underlying problem but it may also be the primary reason she has been unwell. So I would Carry on with the baytril but also treat for sourcrop. If you use the search bar in sure you will find plenty of into or PM DM, I'm sure she won't mind

[JellyBean2605]

Shes started drinking again and is very alert now. I've just given another baytril dose mixed with water (vets advice). I'll start with ACV tomorrow and maybe try a bit of dry food as shes very thin.

[gavclojak]

If it's sourcrop then the idea is to allow them to only drink small amounts for a few days to allow her crop to recover and to withhold food for 24 hours but the dilemma is she is thin and unwell:( I would give her small amounts of pellets/mash mixed with warm water as a porridge, little and often. She would have to be very unwell to refuse that.

Don't forget the ACV if that's what you decide to use needs to be neat but check the dosage on the web/search bar.

Good luck,

I have a girl who wasn't herself today, all puffed up. Still eating/ drinking so hope it's a softie and nothing more serious p

[JellyBean2605]

Fingers crossed its nothing worse.

She seems much better this morning, very alert, trying to jump out of her box (or eat it). Drinking well and has had some small amounts of food. Her comb is still pale and flopped over and shes still quite puffed up but theres a definite improvement.

[JellyBean2605]

I think her original problem must have been sterile peritonitis otherwise she'd surely be dead by now. but where the hell has this crop problem come from? How can I treat both?