sick hen questions. please help!

[hlang2]

My laying hen is sick. She won't move or walk around, she stays in one spot. She won't open her eyes. She does NOT have a cough, nasal or eye discharge. She just buries her head in her back. She is minimally eating and drinking.

Here is what I have done:
1- isolated her from the rest of my flock
2- given her a heat lamp
3- fed her oatmeal
4- given her 1x 1/2cc IM injection of Tylan 50. I plan on doing 2x more injections today.

Here are my questions:
1- How many days do I need to do the Tylan 50 IM injections?
2- If she lives, when is it ok to eat her eggs again?
3- If she lives, when can I reintroduce her to the flock?

I know it would be best to get a diagnosis but I can't afford it. So this is the best I can do.
Please help with my questions! Thanks.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @hlang2 Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear that your hen is not doing well.

How old is she?
When was the last time she laid an egg?
Have you added any new chickens to your flock within the last 30days?

Trying to determine the cause of her being sick is a good idea. Examine her head to toe - look for any lice/mites, feel her crop - what is that like, gently feel her body - does anything seem to hurt (injury/wounds), feel of the abdomen - do you notice any swelling, bloat or feeling of fluid in the belly. What does her poop look like?

Now for your questions

1- How many days do I need to do the Tylan 50 IM injections?
Injectable Tylan50 can be given orally or by injection for 5days in a row.

2- If she lives, when is it ok to eat her eggs again?
Injectable Tylan50 has a 1day egg withdrawal period.

3- If she lives, when can I reintroduce her to the flock?
There is no way to answer this exactly - generally you want to get her back to the flock as soon as you can, but you want to make sure she is healthy enough to be able to eat/drink on her own, be able to defend herself if need be and be able to take care of herself (take dust baths, roost, interact with the flock). Only you can determine when she is ready to go back. Once she is a little better, she would benefit by being near the flock, even if you still need to keep her in a kennel/crate in the run during the day.

 

[hlang2]

Thanks for the reply!

I'm not sure how old. I rescued her from a townhouse in Denver, where she was living in a dog kennel on a cement patio... I have had her for almost a year. Up until now she has done great!

I don't know when she last laid as I have four other chickens that lay the same egg type as she does. A lot of my chickens are molting too...

No lice or mites. No abnormal bumps or swelling. No hard distension in abdomen. Poop looks normal. No wounds. She makes chicken noises when I flip her to give her an injection.

I last introduced new chickens about 2 months ago.

Do you have any idea what could be wrong?
Is it ok for me to give her 3x injections a day for 5 days? or is that excessive?

Thanks so much for the help. I am hoping we caught it early since she doesn't have nasal or eye discharge and no cough.

Hi @hlang2 Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear that your hen is not doing well.

How old is she?
When was the last time she laid an egg?
Have you added any new chickens to your flock within the last 30days?

Trying to determine the cause of her being sick is a good idea. Examine her head to toe - look for any lice/mites, feel her crop - what is that like, gently feel her body - does anything seem to hurt (injury/wounds), feel of the abdomen - do you notice any swelling, bloat or feeling of fluid in the belly. What does her poop look like?

Now for your questions

1- How many days do I need to do the Tylan 50 IM injections?
Injectable Tylan50 can be given orally or by injection for 5days in a row.

2- If she lives, when is it ok to eat her eggs again?
Injectable Tylan50 has a 1day egg withdrawal period.

3- If she lives, when can I reintroduce her to the flock?
There is no way to answer this exactly - generally you want to get her back to the flock as soon as you can, but you want to make sure she is healthy enough to be able to eat/drink on her own, be able to defend herself if need be and be able to take care of herself (take dust baths, roost, interact with the flock). Only you can determine when she is ready to go back. Once she is a little better, she would benefit by being near the flock, even if you still need to keep her in a kennel/crate in the run during the day.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can give her the Tylan50 by injection, but it can cause pain and swelling at the injection site. You may want to consider giving it orally (by mouth) this would probably be easier on her. Here is a great thread that shows how to administer oral medications
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...er-construction-check-back-for-updates.73335/


As for what's wrong, it's so hard to know. Molting can make them feel unwell, but it should not make them that lethargic. It's possible that she may have a reproductive problem or something else. The only thing I know to tell you is to keep her warm, do your best to get her drinking (you can syringe fluids into her, if you have too). If you have poultry vitamins like Poultry Nutri-Drench direct dose her at 1cc per 3lbs of weight. Once she is hydrated, then offer her a little food.

I'm so sorry, I wish I knew more and could give you better answers. I hope she starts to perk up for you.

 

[hlang2]

Thanks so much for your reply! I hope she gets better, fingers crossed!

 

[micstrachan]

Good luck with your girl! I hope she feels better soon. You have beengiven sound advice.