Arizona Chickens

[DesertChic]

She's also pooping what looks like almost straight water. She was fine an hour ago.

Could she have been bitten or stung? Fire ants? Scorpion?

 

[Geranium]

Fire ants are possible. They're all over the backyard. She's still hunkered down but has walked around a little and eaten.

 

[Geranium]

If a red ant DID walk through the pen, she'd be the first one to chase it.

 

[cactusrota]

That might be it, then. Or she ate something that didn't agree with her. I don't like to put chicks on the ground until they are at least 3 weeks old. Younger than that and they do alot better when they have a broody momma to teach them the ropes.

 

[Geranium]

Did I break my chicken?

 

[SonoranChick]

Oh no poor little lady! I hope she perks up. I'm not really sure what her ailment could be, my first guess would be the heat but it's not super hot out... keep an eye on her. I think it's a good idea to offer electrolytes for the time being.

 

[SonoranChick]

This morning I saw that the water dish spilled into the alfalfa in the nest box, which created a very wet, very stinky mess. I have a feeling it was the Delaware, she does some crazy things when she needs to lay her egg! I got the gunk out and am just waiting for the wood on the bottom to dry. I got some new pine chips to replace the alfalfa in there, it was time for some new bedding anyway. The hens are very upset that the nest box is not up to their standards at the moment.

 

[Geranium]

I moved the electrolyte water and the food really close to the brooder plate so she won't have to go far to eat and drink. Hopefully she'll be ok. I'm hoping to have them in the coop by 4 weeks so I wanted to acclimate them a little.

 

[Suzyqschickens]

I bought some new babies today!!! Seeing all the cute fluffies made me want some so I found some cuckoo marans and who knows if them are amercunas

 

[DesertChic]

Did I break my chicken?

I have so much empathy for your distress. I've been there far too many times myself, but you're doing a great job taking care of her. It could be something as simple as a reaction to a bug bite, or it could be something that has absolutely nothing to do with you or the way you've cared for her. This is one of the hardest parts of owning and caring for chickens. Sometimes things go wrong and we just don't know why. Take a deep breath. You're being a very good chicken mommy, and that counts for a lot. Give her time, and you may find she improves all on her own. If not.... You have us to lean on.