Light Sussex who's not quite right.

[Anonymous]

Hi
I'm new to this!
Can anyone give me some advice on my Light Sussex hen who for the past 24hrs hasn't been her chirppy self - she has a dirty bottom and looks to have diarrhoea (watery and white) she is eating and drinking but is standing alone quietly under the coop when normally she would be busy with the others in the field.
I did wonder if she was egg bound but can't really feel too much but have had her sitting on a "hot water bottle" (read it in a book!) but to no avail.
Perhaps ought to mention treated them all 8 wks ago with Invermectin for scaly leg.
Many thanks for any help or advice that anyone has........
GSP

 

[Davidd]

Hi, although the ivermectin would have killed worms, lice and red mite that went on to the hen it will now have worn off- so, firstly check for lice on the bird and red mite in the coop. Is she eating and drinking? any nasal discharge? How old is she? If in lay , when did she last lay? If she has an infection you will need to take her to a vet as she will need antibiotics asap.
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

Hi
Thanks for your help Davidd - had a good look at her this am and can see no sign of life under/in her feathers, I will check tonight for red mite, no nasal discharge, eating ok but does appear to be drinking ++ but still having the diarrhoea, she' s about 3 yrs old and I reckon she last laid an egg 4-5 days ago which was soft shelled (difficult to identify sometimes between the others).
This morning she was very perky as if nothing was wrong but by lunchtime she was quiet,withdrawn and ate very little when I tried to feed her some oats from the kitchen. Decided to take your advice and visited the vets who suggested Baytril antibiotic - I will wait and see if this helps - any suggestions on how to get her to take it? She wasn't very keen when I soaked the 1.5mls on a bit of bread! Might have to try later and syringe it directly into her beak just so I know its in her.
Thanks GSP