HELP Please- Rhode Island Red Sick

Hi

If someone could enlighten us. We think we have a sick chicken she is only 6 months old, she used to lay every day since around 26 weeks and now she hasnt laid for the last 2 weeks. She is getting thinner (lighter), she isnt going into the nest box any more. She just seems (for lack of a better word) depressed. We have checked her over no visible mites, we worm our chickens regularly. They are on layer mash, and oats is a favourite treat of theirs, they free range around our suburban garden all day. But we cant seem to figure out what is wrong with her when there is no visible sign of illness other than the fact that she is not laying and she is losing weight. It is very hot where we are but she has plenty of access to water. Does anyone have any suggestions for us? We are newbie chicken owners and we definitely dont want to lose one of our flock yet... All of our other chickens are happy and laying...

Thank you

try to put a fan up. and maybe put her in a cage by herself with food and water. and if she doesn't get better well........... you may want to end her misery.

chickens do get sicl it seems a lot. THEY DON'T LIKE THE HEAT, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SHADE AND THAT THE COOP IS NOT TO HOT. tHEY CAN DIE IF THEY GET OVER HEATED. PUT ICE CUBES IN THE WATER. GIVE THEM COOL WATERMELON ARE A FEW TIPS. sorry for the caps! anyway, she may not eat well in the heat also, you can give them some electrolyte solution in their water, it is good in times of stress and heat is a big stress. Do you have to worm on a regular basis? I have never wormed my hens in 4 years, I have had their poop checked for 10 bucks, no worms sooo. I am not against worming, but do remember it is a poision and should only be used when necessary, in my opinion. She may have contracted Merke's disease, I am sure it is where you are too. It is a virus found in wild birds, most birds are exposed, half will survive, it is a herpes virus and causes cancer. I have found that vit B12 seems to help with some of the neurological problems they can get from the Merke's too, put it in the water, I get the liquid stuff a little expensive but easy a eye droper full in say 1/2 gal water every couple days when they need it then I give it during stress too. Hope it helps. chickens are great, but if you fall in love with them they will break your heart like all pets do. Have fun with them

ps make sure your coop is very secure up to a 1/2 hole or less. everything wants to eat your hens

Is your chicken moulting?

I would try giving her a soak bath in tepid water with some Epsom salts mixed into it - not sure why this helps them but I've done it for different situations and it always seems to help.

Also, I would use a medicine dropper and get some drops of liquid vitamins in her, either a multi-vitamin for poultry or at least a liquid vitamin B [I use the same stuff I take, from the pharmacy], and some unflavored Pedia-lyte or poultry electrolytes.

After the bath and vitamins, try feeding her scrambled egg. I hope she gets better!

Wow thank you everyone for the suggestions.... The yard is fully secure they cant get out and nothing can get in. They do have plenty of shade and water but when it is 36-39 degrees C its really hard to keep them cool. We do mist them down when it is really hot and give them cold treats. I gave her some boiled egg mushed up yesterday with some shell grit in it and some crushed up amoxycillin tablet... only a little bit and she does seem to have picked up a lot. But I think it could be the heat too, she is the only one to stand in the water to keep herself cool... Thats what I am hoping for anyway, but I will try the electrolyte idea, and also the vitamins.. it makes sense that she could be dehydrated as well, which would cause her not to eat as much.

And no she isnt moulting, I dont think it is Mareks disease, she is walking around and running around fine...