Ailing pullet... help!

[OnTheWing]

Hello, I'm a new chicken owner and new to this site - I have 8 pullets all between 3/5 to 5 mos old. I have a little barred rock pullet about 3-4 mos old. She was doing just fine until this afternoon, I noticed her just sitting on the outside roost. I began watching her when I threw in some greens for the chickies, and she didn't offer to come down from her roost. I tried to go touch her and she jumped down and walked around slowly but didn't eat or drink. She's raising her head and stretching her neck out and looks like she's taking a breath, then her head goes back down. Later on this evening, I went back into the coop and easily picked her up. She feels light and boney and maybe she's dehydrated. Not sure. She didn't even try to get away - just layed in my arm. I offered her drink and food and she wouldn't take either one. I'm afraid she's sick. I have no idea about her poop color. She does not have pasty butt - I checked. I felt her crop, too, and its empty, which leads me to think she hasn't drank or eaten today. Could she have an infection or worms? What should I do? Should I get her antibiotics tomorrow a.m. if she's still alive? Anything you guys could help me with would be super! I hate to lose this little barred rock - she's my favorite.

 

[TeamChaos]

I know you said her crop is empty, if you dip her beak will she instinctively drink? Does she have any bubbles in her eyes or sound wheezy when breathing?

 

[OnTheWing]

I've tried to dip her beak but she doesn't want to drink. Should I try to dribble some water into her mouth? It's almost like she's taking a deep breath when she stretches her neck up, and once in awhile she squawks with it. Should I try something else to eat, like scrambled egg or cider vinegar or something? I saw that on another forum question....

 

[OnTheWing]

No bubble in the eyes. I think I hear maybe a gurgle once in aw hile when she's breathing...

 

[TeamChaos]

I'm not a chicken expert, but I understand wanting to help your chicken friend! I know anytime the yawning action is involved, people suggest gape worm. I've had several "yawning" chickens, with no sign of gape worm, but I wanted to mention it. Have you checked her thoroughly to be sure she didn't eat a string or a long piece of hay? Check her nares (nostrils) and make sure she doesn't have a feather stuck up in there or anything tricky. Beyond that, use your judgement on feeding/watering. I'd offer some scrambled eggs, yogurt, melon or other yummies and see if she'll eat on her own accord. I get weird about forcing fluids w/ birds because if you get some in their lungs, you can turn the situation fatal regardless of whatever the primary diagnosis was. Maybe make some karo or molasses water and dabble some on her tongue and see if she perks up.

 

[OnTheWing]

Thank you so much. I will try that - I just saw something else about gapeworm (ooo, that makes me worry about the other 7 pullets but they seem fine), but I will check her over good and see if she'll eat something else. I do have yogurt and some other things that I'll try. I'm in Texas and TSC and Atwoods are closed so I'll see how she is in the morning. Appreciate your suggestions!!!

 

[bj taylor]

wish i had good advice for you. i also wondered if she didn't have something stuck in her throat by your description of stretching her neck out to breathe. but that may be a symptom of disease too - i just don't have the experience to be of help.
hope someone does.
hope she turns around & is ok.

 

[leadwolf1]

I would check for worms and deworm as necessary. If you lose her, I would make sure to have a necropsy done to find out just what happened. Most states will do them for little to no cost and then you will know for sure what happened. I'm sorry to say this but some of the symptoms also sound like the wasting portion of Marek's. I always feel like a harbinger of doom when I mention this disease. However, if your chicken doesn't improve, a necropsy will definitely tell you the answers that you need.

 

[OnTheWing]

Oh wow, that is scary. The people I bought the pullets from were licensed by the state of Texas and all had been vaccinated against such things. Sure hope its not something that serious. My other 7 are fine - bouncing around their coop and run and flying and having a genuine great time. We built a really nice coop and run for them. This little barred rock has been fine until today. If she makes it til tomorrow I might try the worming. Thanks for your concern!

 

[OnTheWing]

Thank you, Chilin' - I hope she makes it too. I'm on a learning curve here, too.