Depressed/not acting normal hen

Shadomommy

In the Brooder
Mar 11, 2016
26
5
49
South Carolina
Hello!! I've been a BC reader for many yrs but this is my first post! I have a Polish hen (Fudge) 2 yrs old that has suddenly stopped acting herself. She is normally a bouncy interactive yet moody hen that is now standing/ sitting very still, allows me to pick her up with any fight ( normally we have a certain dance lol) and is not acting at all happy. I can tell she has lost weight but isnt scrawny. She will pick at foodstuffs but isnt eating it. Vent is clear and clean, belly squishy so im not thinking egg stuck ( unsure of last egg as they are all egg eaters, they lay and eat in seconds grr). No wheezing, no discharges, she threw up some water but she was just drinking. She seems to be taking deep breaths but that might be my brain and her stillness. Yesterday she was normal and was taking grass from my three yr old like normal have her in a seperate pen to watch for poops. Her wattles seem the normal red shade. She seems very sleepy. Will be giving her a crushed tums here in a moment but doubt she will eat it. Poor fudge is blatantly no herself! Seems to hold her wings out and down more than normal but assuming its bc she isnt feeling good. Any thoughts or suggestions? No other chickens are acting off. Thank you so very much!!
400
 
Although no one is responding, i will update... Fudge is standing up better but isnt eating any foodstuff offered. She walked over to me and seems alert, but she is still off. If anyone has any thoughts please feel free to respond! Thanks everyone!
 
I'm not sure where you are in SC, but where I am it's much warmer than it has been. Could she have been slightly dehydrated and overheated? Mine were panting the other day and seemed very warm. They have been drinking water like it's their job. I don't know if this is what is going on with your chicken, but I thought I'd throw the suggestion out there. Maybe get her in the shade and get some cool, fresh water for her. I'm going to add a second waterer to my run.
 
Thanks for your reply!! Im near Camden, north of Columbia. It has been warmer ( and im loving it lolol) but all the chickens including Fudge arent panting, yet lolol. I change their water every other day. When it gets super hot we get watermelons for them and they love it!! Fudge did take a few cracked corn pieces and scratched and picked at the ground when we let her free range supervised (hawks and owls have been daring lately) but whenever i get close, she stops. No poops yet i did see her peck at a wet puddle but unsure if she drank or was fussing. I have tons of water options for all my pens, sometimes they act goofy about the waterers hahah! Thank you very much for responding! Stay cool and enjoy the springtime!!
 

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