[FiB]

Gone to put hens in, one straggler very Ill .....  Gurgling so bad it sounded like lungs were FULL of fluid and comb almost purple, so dark.... Just gone like this since this morning.  She was obviously suffering so I killed her quickly.......No chance of anything vet wise at this time of night without mega buck out of hours call out.  But I would like to know if I come accross this again what it might likely have been..... I was guessing viral ... Like flue, in which case no point in antibiotics.....  Would appreciate thoughts. Have read all the threads I can find.. Definately not gape worm (I have experienced that before)... This hen was drowning.... My main concern is my other 4 hens and the 17 chicks'  (yes super broody did an amazing job and has kept them safe, but has now left them to their own devices)  have just moved in to the main hen house.

[Louise Gaunt]

Possibly sour crop? I had one last week, not as sick as yours, but lots of brown fluid from her crop. We isolated her and syringed yoghurt into her twice a day. She survived and is pretty much back to her normal self. She was passing green poo, so I suspect too much grass. It is growing so fast at the moment I am struggling to keep it short in their run.

[FiB]

Thanks Louise.... God I hope it wasn't, and I've culled needlessly.... Both OH and I thought she looked like she was on deaths door and suffering, so I made the call.   :-(.  No smell, no grunge when I held her upside down. Just clear liquid in her airway. But it could have been, reading threads on this.... They all certainly have access to long grass... Having a good 5 acres to wander around.  She was 2 years old, they always have access to grit and oyster shell and cider vinegar in drinking water, and a whole grain diet.  I did notice a couple of mites... So will dust all the others tomorrow, and there have been rats in the hen house recently.....  (Just discovered and blocked a small hole day before yesterday). 

[Porterlauren]

Could be sour crop, but you would expect a smell.

Worst case is it's MG . . . . . .

[chrismahon]

The purple comb and lungs full of fluid may be a human heart problem called Congestive Cardiac Failure. We lost a hen 6 months ago to exactly the same symptoms. She died in the night after seemingly recovering somewhat and a large amount of blood tinged fluid drained from her lungs.

[FiB]

Thanks again.... If it was MG I will be extra vigilant of others..... Do you keep Tylenol (?) in?

[chrismahon]

We have another possible. Her comb has been slightly purple for a long time. The temperatures have soared here and with it her lungs have filled with fluid. We are treating her with Baytril for a respiratory infection but her condition seems unaffected. When she is relaxed she is fine with a purple tinged comb, but when it gets hot and she is stressed with a fully red comb her lungs fill again and she starts coughing to clear the fluid. She is over 3 years old and the hen we lost earlier, from a totally separate run area, was over 7. But she is otherwise very happy and active and seems unaffected by her condition.

[FiB]

Aw    what is that drug then?  I am loath to take chickens to our vet... Last time I did that he killed it to do PM !!  So last night I decided I may as well do the deed and sample myself £20. Aside from the fact the vets was closed and I was thinking the hen would not survive the night.... But I am resolved to get in some of the common drugs if they keep... I have nothing in for my hens. Fingers crossed for yours fx

[chrismahon]

It's an antibiotic FiB and the only one we use (emergencies only). It's banned in USA where it is intended to use it for humans who are allergic to all the others. Very effective we've found and seems better than Tylan or Synulox (which is very expensive). You will need a friendly vet who will let you buy it without consultation fee though.

[Ideation]

Baytril is an antibiotic, but I think Tylan is more effective, and also does not have the same egg withdrawal period of Baytril.

[chrismahon]

As far as I am aware all antibiotics have a 28 day withdrawal, but to be on the safe side it should be a permanent egg withdrawal. Ivermectin has a 14 -28 day withdrawal of eggs, depending on the vet. Frontline spot on the same, but the spray is nil (because it does't enter the bloodstream, only the skin layer). But it all seems to depend on the vet prescribing it and their interpretation of the requirements applied to poultry. Drugs are generally to be avoided I think, although some people routinely use Ivermectin for simple things like scaly leg mite.