Probiotic Substitute - Sick chicken

[chickbee]

Short Question: I have a sick chicken who saw a vet today who told me to get probiotics. Our local feed store was out and won't get any for another 4-5days. Is there any brand/type I can get at Walmart or elsewhere (that may even be for humans) that someone can recommend? Also read maybe Greek yogurt? Thoughts on this? Trying to get them into her tonight.

Long Question: I have a two-year-old Barred Rock who this past week has been laying down in the ground quite frequently/nearly all the time. This is very unlike her as she is my most personable, friendly chicken. She ALWAYS runs to greet me and ALWAYS comes running with the other chickens when treats are present. She has not been running at all. Seems listless at moments, but then ok at other moments. She does walk around sometimes but seems to have a bit of a limp. She is eating well, has a bright red comb for the most part. She has had loose stools, however, today has been total liquid in a white/clearish in color.

I had her confined for three days thinking maybe egg binding due to the limping. Gave warm baths, calcium, KY jelly on bottom but nothing. She has not laid at least for three days (history is normal laying). She seems the same as far as her behavior so was thinking she would be worse maybe if there was something stuck?

Furthermore, I took her to the vet who did a vent exam and didn't feel anything (vet just started seeing chickens and was very thorough but not at all sure what is going on). I got the sense the vet wasn't totally confident but did help some. She prescribed antibiotic, checked stools and no parasites, and told me to give probiotics and Vinegar. Vet also thought maybe she is just molting and no mites or anything but still wasn't even 100% on this as she was trying to find new feather growth.

At the vet my chicken was falling asleep standing up (which is worrisome I think!?). But is still eating. Not sure if she's drinking but have been giving her syringes of electrolyte water too off and on.

Sorry this was horribly long. Basically
-change in behavior (laying down frequently, not running)
-watery white and clear stools
-falling asleep standing up at moments
-hasn't laid for a few days
-feathers look bad, molting or something (falling out)
-does seem thinner than usual

Since vet wasn't horribly helpful just thought I'd throw it out there to this group as well for any suggestions. I know there are about a million things it could be which makes me completely understand why vet wasn't so sure too. My chickens isn't panting, isn't pale ect. Just this change in behavior! She's so sweet and lively that it bothers me and hope it's not a situation where she goes down quickly. Thanks! Any info helpful.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Hi! Let me first address your long question. Have you felt her crop? Could it possibly be impacted or sour? And now for your probiotics question. I don't know of many places that sell probiotics other than feed stores. And yes plain Greek yogurt will be good for now. (Unless of course, she has a sour or impacted crop, then the Greek yogurt will aid in the growth of bacteria) Good luck!

 

[Eggcessive]

Did the vet check her droppings for coccidiosis or worms? Has she ever had a problem with her eggs being soft or thin-shelled? I would get a good brand of plain Greek yogurt--they usually have several cultures, and you can even get small ones for a dollar. Chobani is a good brand or just read the label. These ahve more probiotics than Probios powder. A tsp per chicken is plenty, and it can be mixed with egg and a little feed. Probiotics are only necessary a couple of times a week.

 

[chickbee]

Thank you both so much for the quick replies. I'm anxious for her.

vet tech did check her droppings "for parasites" but no mention of coccidiosis or worms specifically - would those be included in that check you think? Said "no parasites."

We did feel her crop (the one thing I forgot to mention) and the vet said it felt a little full and "grainy" and said check again in the morning. I asked her what it meant if it was full and what to do for it and she really didn't have much an answer. She gave me the feeling it would take care of itself? I will have to research this quickly tonight. Maybe I will hold off on the probiotics, give the antibiotic for good measure and continue to give electrolytes (LyfeLite) until I can check her crop in the morning. No idea what to do for this!

 

[PirateGirl]

You could ferment any food you currently feed her to promote growth of good gut flora.

 

[Eggcessive]

Probiotics would not be harmful in any way, but when receiving antibiotics, they can be helpful during and afterward to maintain normal gut flora. Using fermented feed is a personal choice, but not necessary to provide probiotics when yogurt and other means are available. I tried fermented feed for over 7 months during cool weather. It became a hassle when the chickens slung it about, and my grass was killed and mold all about. I never saw any the promised benefits of using it. It is a real mess during hot weather, and I returned to feeding a regular chicken pellet. The chickens liked it, and they still get some moistened feed now and then, but some people have reported deaths that were thought or proven to be a result of FF. Having 5 gallon buckets of FF in my kitchen got very old, and although I have nothing against people using it, it just isn't something I would ever do again.

 

[chickbee]

Good information on fermented feed! Thank you!

I have also researched much about impacted and sour crop now as well. Her crop was pretty full, feels like a water balloon tonight.

Is there a distinct way to know if it's sour vs impacted? Would it just be a breath smell? Because I'm reading that in one case you do give water and get it out, the other case you don't give water.
I massaged her crop well, gave her the antibiotic, and electrolytes in water. I'm just not sure on if I should give probiotics with possible crop issues now?
I will check her crop again in the morning which hopefully tells me more.

Thank you everyone so far. You have all given me helpful info. She seemed calm and ok when I "tucked" her in for the night in her cage.

 

[PirateGirl]

Fermented Feed isn't for everyone all the time, I was simply offering a suggestion that may help without purchasing anything special at the store, I of course assumed water and regular chicken feed are readily available at home already.

Good luck, and hope your chicken is doing better by morning. There are many knowledgeable people on this site to tap for information.

 

[chickbee]

Update: so her crop still feels somewhat full this morning. It feels down some definitely and she is doing ok it seems overall. However, not empty. She had no food overnight.
I read Granite Grit can help?
Would it be a good idea to give this today and see how she does? I left a message for our vet as well. But seeing as these boards are more helpful...ha-ha.

I am so scared to clear it out myself even though I've been watching videos. I will if I have to but trying to see what else works first!

 

[PirateGirl]

You chicken should always have access to grit. She will eat it if she wants/needs it. Since she is ill I don't know if she will eat it, but putting some in the cage/box with her will not hurt.