3 year old chicken with unknown problem

[Bycdf]

I have a 3 year old Rhode Island Red chicken. She has very runny/watery poops and her butt is a mess because of it. Vent does not look red or seem swollen. Belly is hard. Have had her quarantined for several days, and she is eating and drinking normally. I can't find anything that seems to fit, and am wondering if anyone here has ideas. I originally thought an issue with eggs, as she isn't laying, but don't think she'd still be alive if that was the case. Vent gleet doesn't seem right, either. Now I'm thinking parasites, but we're in Michigan and it seems early for a heavy load. Her comb isn't really pale, so I'm not sure what to think. Any insight or tips is appreciated! I need her on the mend and out of my barn.

 

[nuthatched]

What's her diet? Is she still laying?
Parasites aren't a seasonal issue, especially if the multiply internally.

 

[Bycdf]

What's her diet? Is she still laying?
Parasites aren't a seasonal issue, especially if the multiply internally.

We use naturewise layer feed and supplement calcium free choice. She is not laying.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would put her back out with her flock. Otherwise they may pick on her if she is gone too long. I would clean her up inside where it is warmer, and dry her with a towel and hair dryer. Trim any excess fluff that gets into the poop. Many hens with early signs of salpingitis/internal laying or other reproductive problems may have runny poops that may not clear their lower belly and get stuck. Is her lower belly enlarged under her vent? Oviduct cancer is also common in hens. You may want to check her crop early each morning to see if has normally emptied and flat. Crop problems can accompany reproductive infections. You could also rule out worms with Valbazen or SafeGuard liquid or paste wormer. We can give you the dosage.

 

[Bycdf]

I would put her back out with her flock. Otherwise they may pick on her if she is gone too long. I would clean her up inside where it is warmer, and dry her with a towel and hair dryer. Trim any excess fluff that gets into the poop. Many hens with early signs of salpingitis/internal laying or other reproductive problems may have runny poops that may not clear their lower belly and get stuck. Is her lower belly enlarged under her vent? Oviduct cancer is also common in hens. You may want to check her crop early each morning to see if has normally emptied and flat. Crop problems can accompany reproductive infections. You could also rule out worms with Valbazen or SafeGuard liquid or paste wormer. We can give you the dosage.

Her belly may be swollen, nothing crazy if it is. It's hard as a rock, though. I will definitely check her crop. Thank you for the info! I'll look into the wormer options.

 

[Eggcessive]

A hard lower belly could be from salpingitis or cancer. Let us know what her crop feels like tomorrow am.

 

[Bycdf]

A hard lower belly could be from salpingitis or cancer. Let us know what her crop feels like tomorrow am.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Eggcessive]

Let us know how she gets along. For the wormers, Valbazen dosage is 0.08 ml per pound, or 0.5 ml for a 4-5 pound hen, given orally and then repeated in 10 days. That gets all chicken worms except for the rare tapeworms. SafeGuard liquid goat wormer or equine paste which is 10% fenbendazole dosage is 0.23 ml (1/4 ml) PER POUND of weight, given orally for 5 consecutive days. That kills the same worms (round, cecal, capillary, gapeworms) as above. To treat only round worms, it is given once and in 10 days. Either wormer should be shaken well before drawing it up in a syringe. The horse paste can be drawn up in a syringe as well.

 

[Bycdf]

Update - her crop seemed normal and empty this morning

. Her hard belly is much bigger today. In researching salpingitis, it does seem like it might fit. Several months ago, I found a lash egg in the coop. We have a couple dozen chickens, so I didn't know who it was from and everyone seemed fine. I'm now thinking it could have been her.

I did a warm Epsom salt soak and cleaned her up. Not sure if the photo is helpful, but I snapped one after her cleanup and feather trimming.

 

[Eggcessive]

Lash eggs and salpingitis is common in hens unfortunately. If treated early, and it would be hard to know if one even had it until lash eggs or symptoms begin, some antibiotics such as amoxicillin or enrofloxacin/Baytril might help treat infection. I have had hens with suspected reproductive issues live a couple of years. They may sit around, have a soiled vent, walk slowly, but they can enjoy life. If one becomes miserable or is suffering, then consider putting them down. I usually do a home necropsy on hens lose to learn about what was going on. Taking pictures of the abdominal organs to post here for opinions can be helpful. Let us know how she gets along.