Whats wrong with my speckled sussex?

[CB91]

I have 2 Speckled Sussex hens that are less than a year old. They have been laying one egg each for some time now. Yesterday I noticed that one of them, Greedo (the one that is usually noisy and running around most) is being really quiet. Usually when I come out the back door they both come up to investigate, but she has just been sitting under the deck. She stayed under there all day yesterday (they usually sleep together on the deck or in their coop) until I got her out and put her in her coop with the other one. The calmer one, Basil, is acting completely normal. Greedo is not eating, drinking, or laying and she has poop all over her underside. They don't usually poop on themselves. What could be wrong with her?

 

[CB91]

I did some research and read that getting antibiotics from the feed store, dosing her additionally with olive oil and epsom salts, soaking her in epsom salts, and keeping her separated in a warm quiet place can help. Any additional tips/cautions?

 

[Eggcessive]

I did some research and read that getting antibiotics from the feed store, dosing her additionally with olive oil and epsom salts, soaking her in epsom salts, and keeping her separated in a warm quiet place can help. Any additional tips/cautions?

These treatments are for all different ailments. First I would check for egg bound--a lubricated gloved finger into the vent to search gently for an egg. Coccidisois is something that your hen could have with those symptoms. Is she sitting "puffed up" with her neck pulled in? Corid or amprollium for 5 days will treat that.Have you checked her crop--is it big and hard (impacted crop), or very round and squishy soft and sour smell (sour crop?) The best time to check is first thing in the morning when it should be empty. Vent gleet is also common--symptoms are messy vent with reddened skin, leaking fluid, and a bad smell. Probiotics or plain yogurt, and antifungals such as Nystatin or Medistatin can help.

 

[CB91]

She isn't really puffing her feathers at all, just sitting there. She has walked around the yard a little, but definitely isn't herself. I've never checked a chickens crop before, these are my first hens. It seems normal to me, but I will keep checking and check for a bound egg. Everything looks and smells normal other than the above mentioned symptoms. After I get her cleaned off I will inspect more thoroughly. I'll try to get her to eat some yogurt too. Thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

This is good site to learn about crop issues: http://www.tillysnest.com/2012/01/crop-issues.html
and for vent gleet: http://www.tillysnest.com/2012/12/vent-gleet-prevention-and-treatment.html

 

[CB91]

Thanks! I read the information on that link. It doesnt seem like she has any crop issues but after I bathed and inspected her more thoroughly I've decided that vent gleet/cloacitis may fit the bill. Can I treat it here at home without taking her to the vet? I am keeping her indoors for now and I was able to get her to eat a few bites of warmed up mashed feed mixed with pedialyte and apple juice.

 

[CB91]

Another thing... i have not noticed any foul discharge, just the vent feathers were pasted with stool. Shes cleaned up now. I haven't ruled out the possibilty of her being egg bound

 

[Eggcessive]

Another thing... i have not noticed any foul discharge, just the vent feathers were pasted with stool. Shes cleaned up now. I haven't ruled out the possibilty of her being egg bound

She may just have a messy bottom. Several of my hens have a bit too much fluff near their vents, and some will get poo on them. The poo can be very irritation, so I will trim off any poo and extra feathers. That is not the same as vent gleet which is mostly a fungal infection.

 

[CB91]

If thats the case then thats a relief. However she is really not acting like herself at all

 

[pwand]

Here is a good treatment for vent gleet.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/vent-gleet-aka-nasty-chicken-butt

I also gave my hen garlic as well. This treatment worked for my hen. I did not use yogurt, I put the probiotics from the capsules into the food and water. You may need to consider tube feeding her if she not eating or drinking for you. Also deworm her and treat her for mites and lice.

Edited:

Valbazen dosage on this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/606881/valbazen-de-worming-question

Safeguard:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...er-for-chickens-can-it-be-used-in-their-water
Kathy has good info at the bottom of this thread. #14
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/688579/fowl-pox-what-to-do-with-flock#post_12532231

Tube feeding
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding