Bird Lethargic, Not Wanting to Eat

[dirtbowlchick]

Derbygirl-- I've had over the years several chickens with symptoms almost identical to yours. Lethargy, lack of interest in food, empty crop and bony breast-- all of that sounds exactly the same. I didn't know to try some of the things YOU have, so I'm grateful for your information on pedialyte, yogurt, vitamin E, etc. I think you've done an incredible job of being a great caretaker for your bird-- I really REALLY hope she makes it. Mine didn't, but when they got sick they lasted only a day or two, not a week, as yours has. Maybe your excellent care has helped yours keep going. Please keep us informed. As for euthanasia (not necessary we hope) most city vets don't want to deal with chickens, and I think you can do it very humanely at home in her own surroundings. I had to put down an older barred rock with a tumor, and found a very humane method online. I BELIEVE it was automotive starter fluid (spray) on a cloth, held to her head, which knocked her out (like anesthesia) immediately. Then you place the bird in a container, like a rubbermaid storage box with a lid, along with more of the spray (as I recall). Then fortunately for you you can just walk away for twenty or thirty minutes if you need to-- but it was a VERY relaxed death. She just went to sleep peacefully. I would certainly use that method again. Wish I knew the site, but if you google "humane method of euthanization + birds" you should find it.

 

[henlady]

I've had hens with these exact symptoms. I've taken them to 2 different veterinarians and had success with Flagyl...or Metronidazol. That's an antibiotic for intestinal infections. My vet ran bloodwork, checked fecal samples and tested cultures for bacteria. I wanted a thorough exam because I've lost 3 birds to this through the years. I even had one necropsied. The bacteria found was normal actually but he saw oocysts? of a protozoa in the poo. Coccidia was ruled out. By doing my own research after all this I really believe it to be blackhead. All the symptoms. Birds sometimes get darkened combs but not always. Anyway, the Flagyl does help the bird ..I hope you will be able to save your girl and I hope my experience/revelation is some help to you. This protozoan responsible for Blackhead lives in earthworms among other things. My girls freerange for an hour a day.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

for this curled feet are the norm, just keep feeding her, brown poop is great how is her poo now??

 

[derbygirl1961]

This is now day 10 or 11. I spoke with "the Chicken Doctor" he suggested that it was coccicodosis, and suggested a sulfa med She was supposedly vaccinated for Coccidosis, but perhaps incorrectly, not at all, or her immune system needs another boost as it was ineffective. She has had 2 days of antibiotics so far. Poop still green. She eats on her own at times, but otherwise has been syringe fed at least two-three times a day. She is so very thin, she definitely needs the calories. I gave her a full bath last night cuz she smells, despite the fact that I am washing the poop off her (she can't stand to move away from it as she is too weak). I blew mostly dry with the hair dryer, but she got chilled and her comb started to turn purple, so I roused her and put her on a heating pad since she couldn't regulate her temp. Dang, I am tired! Imagine how she feels!

 

[derbygirl1961]

Splish splash, YAWN....
After more research....I think she is a Rose Comb Leghorn?

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

If it is cocci then wouldn't her poo be bloody?
if you PM me your email address, I will email you a flow chart that might help you, it also has how do ID cocci

 

[Nif]

I have a hen that looks just like her but with a much smaller comb. Her daddy was a blackstar/redstar mix and her mama was a cuckoo maran. She's black with red feathers all through her neck and chest. Great hen, yours is soooooo cute sitting in that bath!
Are you seeing any improvement from when you first started this post?

(edited to add photo)
Here's my Corrina, I call her a Cuckoo Star

She's in the middle.

 

[derbygirl1961]

I thought that her poop would be bloody also, but not always according to some citations.

I am not sure that she has improved at all, still unable to bear weight--I am still doing range of motion exercises with her... Thin as she can be. She ate fairly well today, but still with green poop. I will get a human hemoccult card tomorrow to check to see if there is blood in her poop--if that works on chicken blood. Maybe I just don't know what I am looking at.

So at this point, I figure 5 days of antibiotics and then decide what to do... According to some other research by day 9 they will either be recuperating or dead...so her healing power isn't "normal" or I am just breathing life into her for my own sake.

Yes Nif, Cuckoo Star and Apache Girl look very similar...I received a "rainbow layer assortment" from McMurray and I have no idea what breed she really is...just my Apache.

thanks

 

[derbygirl1961]

I had to put Apache down today. 6 days of antibiotic and lots of great nursing care without change...sadness.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

I have been thinking about you and Apache Girl the past few day's, I am so sorry