HELP! Sick Maran Hen

[Krosnick]

I have a year old Maran who hasn't been herself the past couple of days. She has been separated from the flock just lying under some trees. She won't come out even for snacks. I went to get her and gave her an Epsom salt soak thinking maybe she was egg bound. She laid an egg 3 days ago now. She is still separated from the rest of the flock. She can stand but barely. She still won't eat or drink anything. Last night she barley could move and couldn't stand on her own. This morning she did try to peck me. Still hasn't made any chicken noises. She has 3 little white spots on the top of her comb. Her poop this morning was runny and smelled like sulfur. None of my other hens are presenting any symptoms.

Please help!

 

[sean_wonder]

Tagging some people who might be able to help @Eggcessive @CabritaChicks

 

[CabritaChicks]

Not a ton to go off of, make sure they are not cecal droppings- but my thoughts:

1. Fowl Pox (wet form)​

• Scabbed comb suggests dry pox, but if she's lethargic, not eating, and has sulfuric-smelling droppings, the wet form may be present internally (in the mouth/throat/airways).
• Check: Inside the mouth and throat for yellow plaques or lesions.

2. Severe Coccidiosis​

• Sulfur-smelling droppings are classic for coccidia.
• Often presents with diarrhea, listlessness, ruffled feathers, and refusal to eat/drink.
• Can cause death in 24–48 hours if untreated.

3. Clostridial enteritis or Necrotic enteritis​

• Caused by Clostridium perfringens.
• Droppings may smell strongly of rotten eggs or sulfur.

4. Toxins or Mold Exposure​

• Mycotoxins or spoiled feed (especially in humid areas) can cause sudden collapse, neurological signs, or GI upset.
• Check feed and environment for moldy grains, bedding, or old treats.

5. Severe systemic infection​

• With sepsis, droppings can smell foul, and the comb may darken or scab from poor circulation or tissue damage.

Here is what I would recommend:​

• Start supportive care: warm, quiet, dim space, electrolyte water (via syringe in drops (not squeeze) every 30 minutes - just a touch of apple juice with a dash of salt is AWESOME).
• Check mouth and throat for lesions (wet pox).
• Consider treating for coccidiosis ASAP if droppings are sulfuric and watery—use amprolium (e.g., Corid).
• Evaluate diet/environment for potential mold or toxin exposure.

The rest of the flock is doing okay?

 

[Krosnick]

Thank you for all that info! The rest of the flock are normal. I did look in her mouth last night and didn't see anything abnormal. I am going to look again and get a flash light this time. I forgot to add her breathing has been totally normal, no coughing or sneezing either.

I don't think she would have gotten into anything moldy or bad. I have a natural pond with fully fenced in backyard. I will get Corid to treat for Coccidiosis. I just hope she makes it. I will also try to give her water with electrolyte's with a syringe since she still is refusing water or food.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Thank you for all that info! The rest of the flock are normal. I did look in her mouth last night and didn't see anything abnormal. I am going to look again and get a flash light this time. I forgot to add her breathing has been totally normal, no coughing or sneezing either.

I don't think she would have gotten into anything moldy or bad. I have a natural pond with fully fenced in backyard. I will get Corid to treat for Coccidiosis. I just hope she makes it. I will also try to give her water with electrolyte's with a syringe since she still is refusing water or food.

Fantastic that her breathing is normal!
It is great that the rest of the flock is OK. Other than stinky- how are the droppings now? (I ask for two reasons- one if she has droppings, she is eating, two if they are stinky/diarrhea you are still in the woods).

You might consider combining 1/4 cup oatmeal water (you can feed the oatmeal to the rest of your flock), dash of baking soda, and 1/4 cup apple juice. Just give a drop as often as you can. dehydration is a killer.

 

[sean_wonder]

Fantastic that her breathing is normal!
It is great that the rest of the flock is OK. Other than stinky- how are the droppings now? (I ask for two reasons- one if she has droppings, she is eating, two if they are stinky/diarrhea you are still in the woods).

You might consider combining 1/4 cup oatmeal water (you can feed the oatmeal to the rest of your flock), dash of baking soda, and 1/4 cup apple juice. Just give a drop as often as you can. dehydration is a killer.

What does the oatmeal water, baking soda and apple juice provide for rehydration? Just curious.

Also, can't sulfur smell from droppings come from not eating?

 

[CabritaChicks]

What does the oatmeal water, baking soda and apple juice provide for rehydration? Just curious.

Also, can't sulfur smell from droppings come from not eating?

Oatmeal Water​

Soothes inflamed digestive tracts (e.g., after coccidiosis, infection, or stress)
Hydrates while delivering gentle nutrition (slow release nutrients, fiber + vitamins)
Encourages drinking in birds that are refusing plain water

Apple Juice​

Adds flavor to encourage drinking
Provides natural sugars (glucose) for energy
A tiny bit of malic acid helps with digestion and mild gut bacteria balance
Some vitamins

Baking Soda​

Helps replenish sodium, especially after diarrhea or overheating
May calm the crop or digestive tract
Buffers excess acids in the gut
It works as a gentle, short-term homemade electrolyte and rehydration mix, that I have used on hundreds of birds — especially when you don’t have commercial electrolytes on hand.

In a healthy chicken, food typically takes about 4 to 6 hours to move through the entire digestive tract. Sulfur from not eating? I guess that is subjective. But if your chicken isnt eating- its not pooping, and even then, IMO- shouldnt have a extremely foul smell- unless it is cecal.

 

[Krosnick]

Fantastic that her breathing is normal!
It is great that the rest of the flock is OK. Other than stinky- how are the droppings now? (I ask for two reasons- one if she has droppings, she is eating, two if they are stinky/diarrhea you are still in the woods).

You might consider combining 1/4 cup oatmeal water (you can feed the oatmeal to the rest of your flock), dash of baking soda, and 1/4 cup apple juice. Just give a drop as often as you can. dehydration is a killer.

The droppings are still very stinky and watery. They keep sticking to her bum feathers. I have been giving her water with a little apple juice through the syringe. She also received a dose of Corid. No improvement yet but no decline either! Poor thing just looks miserable

 

[CabritaChicks]

It takes medication a bit to work- just keep her hydrated. And watch the rest of your flock - any symptoms?