I,ve noticed one of my silkies has been spending quite a bit of time on her own these last two days and just sitting a lot, which is unusual. She was eating/drinking normally yesterday, although was last one in for her afternoon treats. When I checked her yesterday, she had a full crop. She didnt come out the coop this morning, so I went in to look at her. She's not attempting to get away from me, and just sitting, with slightly splayed wings. Ive noticed her bum is a little dirty, so will be bringing her up to the house to soak and clean her bum, and also to thoroughly check her over. I dont know if she layed yesterday, as 3 eggs had been laid before they were let out. I feel something is wrong but not sure what. On checking his this morning her crop is empty, but she is not attempting to eat or drink. Can anyone offer advice please as im quite worried about her now
Poorly chuck
- Thread starter hip chick
- Start date
I,ve noticed one of my silkies has been spending quite a bit of time on her own these last two days and just sitting a lot, which is unusual. She was eating/drinking normally yesterday, although was last one in for her afternoon treats. When I checked her yesterday, she had a full crop. She didnt come out the coop this morning, so I went in to look at her. She's not attempting to get away from me, and just sitting, with slightly splayed wings. Ive noticed her bum is a little dirty, so will be bringing her up to the house to soak and clean her bum, and also to thoroughly check her over. I dont know if she layed yesterday, as 3 eggs had been laid before they were let out. I feel something is wrong but not sure what. On checking his this morning her crop is empty, but she is not attempting to eat or drink. Can anyone offer advice please as im quite worried about her nowQuick update .... Ive brought her up to the house and bathed her bum area and checked the vent. She sat and let me blow dry her, her eyes appear bright, no discharge etc from the nose. Checked for mites and lice but found nothing. She doesnt feel under weight at all. Ive put her back in the pen where she had a very small drink, then went back to sitting on the floor. HELP as I know she's not well but just cant pinpoint anything, and the other birds definitely know she's unwell too. Im going to sit in the pen for a while, and just see if theres anything else I might have missed
chrismahon
Well-known member
Did she have a full crop this morning Hip Chick? It should be empty. When was she last wormed with Flubenvet? At the moment the important thing is she drinks- food isn't important and is best avoided until we have an idea of the problem.
Hi Chrismahon, her crop is empty this morning. Ive checked with the breeder re worming, and he says they definitely wont have worms, and not to worm them until around November. I will try to syringe some water into her, as she,s just sat on the pen floor. Im wondering if she's egg bound, as she occasionally looks like she is trying to lay with tail high up and body movement like she's pushing. Then she'll hunch back down again. I have oiled the vent area just in case, but dont really want to insert any fingers.
Managed (finally) to upload a poo pic, though its loaded above instead of as a reply to the others. Its not looking very good tho. She wont come out of the pen,and is just sitting hunched on the floor. Ive managed to syringe a little water into her, but not as much as i'd like
Ok further update is she's occasionally flicking her head like she's got flies buzzing around her. Also very heavy footed and slow when walking. Ive just managed to get her to drink from the water feeder herself, and also booked her into the vets this evening. Unfortunately tho my vet doesnt specialise in poultry, and the nearest is a fair distance away from me. Looking at the poo picture, im thinking she will need antibiotics. None of the other chickens are showing any signs of being ill. Sorry for the rambling post, I,m just struggling to work out whats wrong
I'm sorry it's so worrying for you, hip chick. Her crop sounds OK, as if food is passing through, which is good. It sounds like some kind of intestinal blockage, maybe egg bound, possibly an infection, or peritonitis though this is unusual in a young bird. Its good that she can drink for herself, and so long as she is seen doing this, there will be no need to syringe her, as this can be dangerous.
I would venture to disagree with the breeder about their worm count. All chickens have worms to some extent, although regular worming with flubenvet keeps them at a low enough level not to interfere with their health. Unless he had done a worm sample test on each and every bird immediately prior to sale, he has no grounds for saying they don't have worms. I routinely worm any new point of lay pullets I buy, during their two-week quarantine period, so they are not bringing in worms from a different environment. I would advise you to worm your other pullets with Flubenvet, and mention the possibility of worms to the vet as it sounds as if she's never been done. I don't suppose she has a massive worm burden, but any worms will pull a chicken down, reduce their ability to digest food and lay well, affect their immune system and may complicate other health problems.
This section about intestinal problems on Poultrykeeper may help; https://poultrykeeper.com/digestive-system-problems/
It's often very difficult to diagnose internal problems in chickens, as their intestines are so different from ours, so as you vet isn't an expert, he or she may probably resort to a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as Baytril. This may or may not help, and would mean that you could never safely eat her eggs again afterwards because of the risk to your own health of developing antibiotic resistance. It's a hard call, when an animal is a pet, but please read the thread at the top of the Chickens Health section, 'Is your antibiotic really necessary?' so you are informed in your choices. You'll see that quite a few of us have decided that antibiotics are not only ineffective for many complaints in chickens, but in themselves to be avoided for the wider good. If she seems on a downward spiral, it's often kindest to provide the hen with peace and quiet, checking regularly, and giving her body the chance to heal itself if this is possible. Quite often they do perk up when given a quiet rest. If after a day or two she seems to be in pain and isn't getting better, then a peaceful way out is to have her PTS by the vet if you aren't able to do this yourself.
Good luck, and do let us know how she gets on.
I would venture to disagree with the breeder about their worm count. All chickens have worms to some extent, although regular worming with flubenvet keeps them at a low enough level not to interfere with their health. Unless he had done a worm sample test on each and every bird immediately prior to sale, he has no grounds for saying they don't have worms. I routinely worm any new point of lay pullets I buy, during their two-week quarantine period, so they are not bringing in worms from a different environment. I would advise you to worm your other pullets with Flubenvet, and mention the possibility of worms to the vet as it sounds as if she's never been done. I don't suppose she has a massive worm burden, but any worms will pull a chicken down, reduce their ability to digest food and lay well, affect their immune system and may complicate other health problems.
This section about intestinal problems on Poultrykeeper may help; https://poultrykeeper.com/digestive-system-problems/
It's often very difficult to diagnose internal problems in chickens, as their intestines are so different from ours, so as you vet isn't an expert, he or she may probably resort to a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as Baytril. This may or may not help, and would mean that you could never safely eat her eggs again afterwards because of the risk to your own health of developing antibiotic resistance. It's a hard call, when an animal is a pet, but please read the thread at the top of the Chickens Health section, 'Is your antibiotic really necessary?' so you are informed in your choices. You'll see that quite a few of us have decided that antibiotics are not only ineffective for many complaints in chickens, but in themselves to be avoided for the wider good. If she seems on a downward spiral, it's often kindest to provide the hen with peace and quiet, checking regularly, and giving her body the chance to heal itself if this is possible. Quite often they do perk up when given a quiet rest. If after a day or two she seems to be in pain and isn't getting better, then a peaceful way out is to have her PTS by the vet if you aren't able to do this yourself.
Good luck, and do let us know how she gets on.
I managed to find a poultry vet closer to home and have just come back. TBH im non the wiser, as she laid an egg in the box when I was transporting her. The vet thoroughly checked her over and said all seems to be fine, even her chest. They have given her an antibiotic called Tylan and said to keep her seperate from the rest of the flock. Ive managed to get her to eat some fresh melon and raspberries, which at least gets some fluids into her. I never thought about the antbiotic situation Marigold, so that has given me food for thought also. Her poops as still sloppy and extremely smelly, so I think it is something going on inside. I will just have to monitor her and hope that she pulls through and is feeling a bit better tomorrow. I do have some Flubenvet but held off due to the advice from the breeder, so I will start them all on that tomorrow too. She is trying to eat, but it seems standing is a struggle, so ive put her food on ground level,
I'm glad she laid the egg, at least that rules out egg binding, and if her chest has been checked and is clear, that's another problem less to worry about. I would hold off on treating her with Flubenvet at the moment, as in order to take a full dose she will have to be back to a normal appetite and eating properly. I would leave all the treatment until the poorly one is better and back with them and then do them all together. As it takes a week when they can only be given treated pellets, its a nuisance to have to do them in two batches, and i don't suppose its too urgent to do the others.
I couldn't give you any advice on whether to use the Tylan at this stage. It's really an individual choice, whether or not to give antibiotics to chickens, and if you know about the issues it's up to you. Remember, though, that it may be difficult to decide which eggs are hers, once she's back with the others, as it would not be a good idea to eat them for a very long time, if at all. If you do decide to try it, you should probably use it straight away, since it's probably not a good idea to worm her until she's eating well, as I said before. Also, mixing two therapies might confuse the results and diagnosis.
I would try making a lovely tempting high-protein mix of some pellets mixed with sunflower seeds, mealworms and some salt-free scrambled or mashed boiled egg, with maybe some bits of grapes and melon etc. Make it nicely damp with warm water and see if she likes it. I've found this sort of thing is quite diagnostic! But don't worry if she doesn't eat, just try to keep her hydrated, as you are doing.
She doesn't sound too bad at the moment, from what you say. Let's hope that some rest and TLC will help her through this nasty bug, whatever it is.
I couldn't give you any advice on whether to use the Tylan at this stage. It's really an individual choice, whether or not to give antibiotics to chickens, and if you know about the issues it's up to you. Remember, though, that it may be difficult to decide which eggs are hers, once she's back with the others, as it would not be a good idea to eat them for a very long time, if at all. If you do decide to try it, you should probably use it straight away, since it's probably not a good idea to worm her until she's eating well, as I said before. Also, mixing two therapies might confuse the results and diagnosis.
I would try making a lovely tempting high-protein mix of some pellets mixed with sunflower seeds, mealworms and some salt-free scrambled or mashed boiled egg, with maybe some bits of grapes and melon etc. Make it nicely damp with warm water and see if she likes it. I've found this sort of thing is quite diagnostic! But don't worry if she doesn't eat, just try to keep her hydrated, as you are doing.
She doesn't sound too bad at the moment, from what you say. Let's hope that some rest and TLC will help her through this nasty bug, whatever it is.
rick
Active member
I hope she gets better soon hip chick. Being wobbly on her feet is not good but in all other respects, drinking, laying an egg (a very sick bird wouldn't be able to lay an egg) etc, and if she can be persuaded to eat something, chickens have wonderful powers to mend! If she's started the course of Tylan she must finish it - even if it seems to be missing the mark. To start and then stop would be the worst thing to do as any target pathogens would then survive be immune. Take any unused antibiotic back to the vet for disposal. I think a couple of months after a course would be plenty long enough to continue egg withdrawal, personally but, obviously, breeding chickens should never have antibiotics as natural strength and resistance is the goal.
All of mine are a bit runny at the moment as its hot and they are drinking a lot of water. The yellow, smelly content is probably cecal and that makes me wonder about worms - cecal worms and threadworms can be quite damaging in small numbers (and unlike roundworm are fairly uncommon so can become a problem 'out of the blue.'). If you have milligram scales you can flubenvet dose unusual food for one bird - 0.3g per 100g.
Its so often guesswork and just down to TLC, observation, crossed fingers and time!
All of mine are a bit runny at the moment as its hot and they are drinking a lot of water. The yellow, smelly content is probably cecal and that makes me wonder about worms - cecal worms and threadworms can be quite damaging in small numbers (and unlike roundworm are fairly uncommon so can become a problem 'out of the blue.'). If you have milligram scales you can flubenvet dose unusual food for one bird - 0.3g per 100g.
Its so often guesswork and just down to TLC, observation, crossed fingers and time!
chrismahon
Well-known member
That foamy poo is typical of a bird with possibly hair worms- so tiny they are almost invisible to the naked eye. But they alone shouldn't pose a big problem. The temperatures are not helping at the moment I know, but there could be more than one thing going on here and usually is in my experience. Smelly poo is indicative of a gut flora imbalance which can be readily caused by natural sugars in fruit. I recommend Avipro Avian, something we always use in any water we syringe in. You will need to administer it anyway 3 days after the antibiotic course finishes as antibiotics destroy the natural gut flora.
Hi thank you for that. I haven't given the antibiotics as I wanted to see how she was today. She seemed to pick up on eating and drinking, but ive noticed her stretching her neck a lot and kinda yawning. When ive googled it saying possibly gape worm. I wonder if I should just start them all on the flubenvet today, as im at a loss. Also she has had a fruit treat daily so thank you for the advice on that. Her poos are not foamy or runny today, and appear back to normal
rick
Active member
Vets never really tell you what their hunch is (fair enough, an absolute diagnosis would cost the earth most times!) I think Tylan may be targeted at mycoplasma (?), air sac infection (?) Its possible - but the normal poos are a great sign. Seems to me that everything in a chicken is interconnected and a working gut is always a good sign! Hopefully the good care she has had has helped her to beat it herself.
Worming will do no harm (and might be a very good idea) but she would need to be back on plain pellets with the rest, or you dose her special special food separately. I think gaping can have several causes due to discomfort in the trachea, esophagus or crop. Maybe she ate something nasty. A gentle massage of the crop can help move things along.
Worming will do no harm (and might be a very good idea) but she would need to be back on plain pellets with the rest, or you dose her special special food separately. I think gaping can have several causes due to discomfort in the trachea, esophagus or crop. Maybe she ate something nasty. A gentle massage of the crop can help move things along.
I'm really glad to hear she's making progress. If you haven't yet used the Tylan, and want to get the full dose of flubenvet inside her, you could try the individual dosing method.
Mix up a supply of irresistible treats, sunflower seeds, mixed corn, muesli, bird seed etc. Find a small container, a size that she will eat the contents in one go. Measure out 7 small containers full into another box and add a little vegetable oil, to lightly coat the grains, then mix in half a scoopful of flubenvet powder and mix throughly. Give her one measured container-full each day for a week. Half a scoop full is the dose for one hen, maybe a little less for a small bird such as your Silkie, but a bit more won't hurt her. This will get the full dose into her, even though her appetite may be down at present. Look at her poos the first day or so, you may see worms coming out if this is the problem.
At least Flubenvet is a harmless routine treatment, which will sort out the worm question, as she seems to be making good progress in other areas. Lots of people on here, like Chris above, recommend Avipro Avian, and you could give her this alongside the flubenvet to help with the gut upset.
You could multiply up the amount of treated mix and do your other birds at the same time, if you wanted. I always worm mine that way, it saves them having to endure a whole week with nothing to eat but treated pellets. The recommended method of dosing with treated pellets is obviously directed at people with many chickens kept in a confined area, but it can be done in other ways.
Mix up a supply of irresistible treats, sunflower seeds, mixed corn, muesli, bird seed etc. Find a small container, a size that she will eat the contents in one go. Measure out 7 small containers full into another box and add a little vegetable oil, to lightly coat the grains, then mix in half a scoopful of flubenvet powder and mix throughly. Give her one measured container-full each day for a week. Half a scoop full is the dose for one hen, maybe a little less for a small bird such as your Silkie, but a bit more won't hurt her. This will get the full dose into her, even though her appetite may be down at present. Look at her poos the first day or so, you may see worms coming out if this is the problem.
At least Flubenvet is a harmless routine treatment, which will sort out the worm question, as she seems to be making good progress in other areas. Lots of people on here, like Chris above, recommend Avipro Avian, and you could give her this alongside the flubenvet to help with the gut upset.
You could multiply up the amount of treated mix and do your other birds at the same time, if you wanted. I always worm mine that way, it saves them having to endure a whole week with nothing to eat but treated pellets. The recommended method of dosing with treated pellets is obviously directed at people with many chickens kept in a confined area, but it can be done in other ways.
chrismahon
Well-known member
Stretching here neck and yawning can be gapeworm, but that's unlikely. More likely is some solid lump in her crop which she is moving about to break up or dry food stuck in her throat. Make sure she is drinking plenty of water, especially when it is hot weather.
Thank you all I'm finding the site a great support. I have her in her own coop and run within the larger pen so she's not separated off from the others. I'm using the flubenvet pellets so they will all be confined to the pen until treated. She's had normal poos again this morning and was in her nest box laying while I was cleaning out her run, so hopefully we are on the up. Thank you all for the advice and I will keep you updated as the week goes on
chrismahon
Well-known member
Just a point about Avipro Avian. It is important that this probiotic isn't used at the same time as antibiotics because it drastically reduces the effectiveness of the course- something we realised too late a few years back. Wait three days after the antibiotics are completed before starting on AA.
Normal poos are a great sign. Two very early indicators of impending illness are:-
1- Not talking. Whilst some chickens are naturally quiet the majority will talk to you when you talk to them. If they stop something is wrong.
2- Abnormal poos. Check the coop daily. Now this is a tricky one because they can produce abnormal poos for a variety of reasons. Probably the most alarming are watery white ones which are the result of a moulting chicken eating their own feathers. They usually get fed up with that after a few days. Not pooing at all, so 5 hens in the coop but only 4 piles of poo, should prompt an immediate crop check. Green poo is diet or illness. Dark poo is diet or internal bleeding, which we've had on a few occasions without problems- the worst for that is an 8 year old outside sunbathing as I type. We had a poo recently which was a huge mix of undigested all sorts- she had eaten a lizard (saw her swallow it whole) and was very ill as a result. Grain in the poo is insufficient grit. Needless to say I've spent far too much time examining chicken poo and now we have a dog!
Normal poos are a great sign. Two very early indicators of impending illness are:-
1- Not talking. Whilst some chickens are naturally quiet the majority will talk to you when you talk to them. If they stop something is wrong.
2- Abnormal poos. Check the coop daily. Now this is a tricky one because they can produce abnormal poos for a variety of reasons. Probably the most alarming are watery white ones which are the result of a moulting chicken eating their own feathers. They usually get fed up with that after a few days. Not pooing at all, so 5 hens in the coop but only 4 piles of poo, should prompt an immediate crop check. Green poo is diet or illness. Dark poo is diet or internal bleeding, which we've had on a few occasions without problems- the worst for that is an 8 year old outside sunbathing as I type. We had a poo recently which was a huge mix of undigested all sorts- she had eaten a lizard (saw her swallow it whole) and was very ill as a result. Grain in the poo is insufficient grit. Needless to say I've spent far too much time examining chicken poo and now we have a dog!
That's all very good news, especially about the pooing normally and laying! Maybe just some kind of gut upset - any lizards down your way?
Tweetypie
Member
It's so good to read all the comments, especially for someone like me, who is inexperienced with chickens. I tend to worry at the slightest change I see in them.
I noticed Barbie ex batt was sneezing a couple of days ago, I wiped it with tissue. She didn't have it yesterday, but today has a bit of a clogged nose and the occasional sneeze, as if she has some irritant in there. She's laying every day as normal, normal poos (as far as my experience will tell), tail up, no signs of anything else and up to her usual tricks - ruining the flowers in the borders. All others are OK. Do you think I am being over cautious?
I noticed Barbie ex batt was sneezing a couple of days ago, I wiped it with tissue. She didn't have it yesterday, but today has a bit of a clogged nose and the occasional sneeze, as if she has some irritant in there. She's laying every day as normal, normal poos (as far as my experience will tell), tail up, no signs of anything else and up to her usual tricks - ruining the flowers in the borders. All others are OK. Do you think I am being over cautious?
Chrismahon I spend my whole life studying poo, as I work as a careworker on nights, and also have 3 dogs lol. Marigold, definitely no lizards where we are either. I did find a very large hairy catepillar half dead in the pen last week, which one had obviously brought in, but not sure if that could have anything to do with things. Ive decided not to give the antibiotics as last year my husband contracted an infection, which wouldnt initially respond, and took 5 weeks of treatment and daily hospital visits, so that was a very good point, thank you. My chucks do spend a lot of time in the soil under our large maple tree, but now they have their own dusbath in the pen, we will gravel that area in the next week, just incase they have picked something up in that area. Hetty being poorly has meant lots of cuddles and TLC, and me spending hrs in the pen, but she's also much happier being handled. I will also try the Avopro Avian to support the gut.
