Chicken lethargic, barely standing/moving, seemingly labored breathing and slightly blue comb...

I went out to one of my laying hen coops this morning and found one of my girls sitting in a corner...at first I didn't notice anything wrong with her but when one of the meaner hens walked over and pecked her chest (at which she normally squawks) she just kept on laying there like nothing happened.

Well I put her in isolation and since this morning she's barely moved (standing every once in awhile to change positions), hasnt eaten, and seems to have labored breathing (although she's not gasping or anything). Her comb's taken on a blue tinge at the edges as well...

I'm not sure what's going on with her...she was healthy & happy yesterday but I dont know how long she'll last like this (especially without eating)...has anyone else had any hens do anything similar?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Courtney

Anyone? I've researched options but cant find any match...hen about 2 yrs old...no previous history of illness with my flock...really came out of nowhere...any help appreciated...just worried about my other 7 layers who inhabit the same area...any feedback is appreciated...no sign of being egg bound...

Thanks again in advance...

Courtney

We just had a hen do the same thing this morning and she ending up passing away. She also had a blue comb and no other signs or illness, etc. I'll keep checking back too since I'm confused! I have a rooster who possibly has Maereks but he's been away from everyone for two months now...
Hopefully, we'll find the answer here!

Maybe she fell off the perch? Did you check her for an unpassed egg? Put your ear on her back and see if her lungs sound wet or not. Make her some real good things to eat and I think the best thing you can do right now is wait and see. Make sure that your feed is not moldy , or that she could have eaten something bad.

seminolewind said:

Maybe she fell off the perch? Did you check her for an unpassed egg? Put your ear on her back and see if her lungs sound wet or not. Make her some real good things to eat and I think the best thing you can do right now is wait and see. Make sure that your feed is not moldy , or that she could have eaten something bad.

Click to expand...

Hey Seminolewind!

Thanks for the response!

I did check for an unpassed egg and didnt feel anything...the perch we have set up in the coop she was in is only about a foot off the ground so I dont think it would have caused any major damage if she did fall (we checked her legs though and they're both sound). I'll check her lungs and see if there is any sounds of fluid and update...as far as the food, we go through about a bag of feed a week between all our flocks so it's always fairly fresh...

She seems to be doing worse than yesterday (i.e. she was more or less sitting yesterday whereas today she's just laying there on her side). Her comb has a little more red than yesterday though...fingers crossed that she'll make it but it's not looking good...I'll update with any new symptoms...

As a side note, has anyone heard of "pullet disease"? Some of the symptoms match although not all...wondering if anyone had any experience dealing with it to compare. We use the deep litter method (i.e. just put new hay on top of the old for about a year at a time before removing it all and using it as fertilizer in the garden) so our coop's arent meticulously kept but the chickens always have fresh water & food as well as a good size run to explore...

Any ideas are appreciated!

Courtney

Off the top of my head, I would treat for coccidiosis. I always try and start with the most common ailment. I believe I just read that Sulfadimethoxine treats for cocci and respiratory. That's a new one for me.

But that's what I'd do. There are alot of things that we will never know why or what without a necropsy by a state animal disease lab. Most of the time it's hit and miss.

Blue tinged comb could be cardiac or respiratory. You might want to treat for mice , lice, worms as well, unless they've been treated in the past 4-5 months.

I've never heard of Pullet disease, but it may be internal layer-is her abdomen enlarged?

Courtney, we'll hope for the best.

Our Speckled Sussex is acting the same way. Lethargic, sleeping and lying down a lot. She is still eating and drinking a little. There is something wrong with her left eye, as she is keeping it closed most of the time. Perhaps another chick pecked her eye. She is the sweetest, but lowest in the pecking order. Breathing is labored and she sounds congested when listening to her back and chest. Yesterday she layed a rubber egg, which feaked me out until I went on line to find out what it was. They can lay one of those when they are under stress, which she apprently is. She didn't lay an egg today. I will take the advice and get some Sulfadimethoxine treats. Wonder where to get them.
Spent $250 on our Dominique a month ago, and can't afford to do that again, but she was our favorite. But as of a week ago she has turned into a raging chick. she will actually come after us, pecks and bites us.
Wish I had a puppy. Less poop, less work and nowhere as expensive. Do love my chicks though...they are amusing.

Good luck to all of us with sick chicks. Guess we shouldn't be so attached.

Barb

If she's got a respiratory issue , get Tylan asap and start that. Hope she does okay!

Where can you get Tylan?

Tractor supply. But you have to get the syringe to go with it (only way to get it out). You can give it orally though. Try to find the smallest syringe possible since hens of course take much less than the other farm animals.

Can you post a picture of her?