Before culling this sweet girl... any suggestions on mystery ailment?

[technodoll]

Thank you everyone for your replies and concern...

Not gape worm, she isn't exhibiting any signs (yawning, shaking head, gaping beak, stretching neck, etc)...

I have a feeling there is some internal organ failure going on but I can't prove it.

 

[dragonlair]

Are you sure she is getting her fair share of the food and water? I had a similar problem with one of my pullets a few years ago. She was bottom of the pecking order and didn't get enough to eat because her dear sisters chased her away. Have you tried putting her by herself for a while?

 

[technodoll]

I see her eat plenty... either at one of the two feeders, or the breakfast mash bowl, or the treats I scatter in their run, coop and dust bathing area (mostly veggies, BOSS, and unhulled barley).

I had her by herself for a couple days, on Tylan-50, and didn't notice anything different.

I'll test her crop a few times a day and see what's going on there.

Sigh.

 

[robbdebbie]

I have noticed that some of my chickens take having worms or mites harder. Also being wormed is hard on them too. So, I have had two chickens that stayed the exact way you are saying after treatment. The only other suggestion I would give you is giver her some yougurt and vitamins to see if she will get better. Both of mine did eventually die. Sorry

 

[technodoll]

It's ok... I'm kind of resigned to see her go, if only to ease her suffering.

It's in her eyes, she is not happy nor enjoying life anymore.

She looks like an old lady just going through the motions.

I've not lost a single bird to health issues or old age yet, and lord knows I've been through some doozies with at least 5 of my flock since last autumn - I've saved them all but this one has me stumped.

If I can't figure anything out by midweek, I will have to resign myself to losing her