Is this girl sick?

horsedaze

Chirping
5 Years
Jul 2, 2014
14
1
74
Snoqualmie, Washington
At first I thought this Sicilian Buttercup was just molting. But, this started a few months ago and she hasn't gotten any new feathers in and the other Sicilian Buttercup (got her at the same time) looks extremely healthy. In fact, the entire flock is super healthy. She is the only one who is looking sickly. Her eyes don't look right. She seems a bit bent over and lethargic. But, she is still eating and drinking. She still will yell at other hens if they get too close to her (she isn't very social, never has been). Is this the result of just a super long molt or is this girl ill? Anyone have any ideas? It is starting to get chilly and she is going to get cold!!













 
She could have feather mites or lice, but I imagine she is being feather-picked by the others who look pristine. Look her skin over for lice eggs, and signs of mites or ratty feathers. If you suspect lice or mites, then permethrin 10% spray or the garden dust will take care of them, with use every 7 days for a few times until eggs are no longer present. If it is feather picking, you can try some bad tasting creams such as Nustock that will help with healing and prevent pecking while the feathers grow back. She may just be low in the pecking order. The extra protein can help as well--chopped egg, tuna, dry cat food, or gamebird feed can help, but don't over do it. Here is some reading about lice and mites:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig140
http://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8162.pdf
http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/laura_e_john/
http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html
 
These are great ideas. However, she is definitely not low on the totem pole. Everyone gets out of her way, I haven't seen anyone pick on her. She tends to be pretty high in the pecking order and other than that, she is really good at keeping to herself. Could it be lice or mites if she is the only one (out of 35 birds) who looks like this?
 

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