Brown Leghorn Weak, Droopy Comb...and died next day

[dawny2u2]

When I went into the coop, I found the chickens stomping on this little hen, who was lying on her side. She wasn't dead, but I am not sure what to do. She has been sitting on the roost when I come home from work, and when the other chickens roost, she comes down to eat, I figured she was getting picked on. I could tell her comb was drooping, but this looks very sickly. She is often puffed up. She is in my bathroom now, and sitting, (not lying on her side). Any suggestions as what I can do? How do I know if she has something that could be contagious? She is 9 months old(I guess that is a pullet, not a hen).

Update: She is eating some yogurt, and I did notice her tail feathers look ragged too, if that could be a clue. Also, she often sits and moves her tail area, up and down, up and down. Turned her over, dont see or feel nothing strange (but I haven't examined many chickens from that vantage point in my life, YET)
Another Symptom!!! Since she is eating she pooped, and I will say that was one big runny mess, Diarrhea......Worms???? I did put some vaseline on her comb, at least it looks better. Have checked some of the suggested websites, don't see any diagnosis, but will keep searching. No one else in the coop is acting strange, just one pullet has her tail feathers pecked out, thought it was a bully, but wondering if its connected. She is acting fine. They all are, but this little girl.
And another update, just adding as much information, if anyone has any ideas...
She has been eating quite a bit, and I thought she looked better, but I picked her up, and she is like jelly. Just a blob, no muscle tone, or seemingly control? Does that make sense?

 

[dawny2u2]

Here is a pic of the EE with the missing tail. I have tried to include the info listed in the guidelines, and I sure hope someone can at least point me in the right direction. Upon closer inspection, I will add, a couple of them look like they have rough, unhealthy looking combs.

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

dawny2u2 - From what you describe, it sounds as if she might be near the bottom of the pecking order and perhaps not getting enough to eat or drink. That could explain her weakness, droopy comb, ragged feathers, and even diarrhea. You don't say what you are feeding your flock. Are you feeding them layer feed? Is this pullet laying and has she been laying regularly? What size coop do you have and how many chickens? The missing tail in your other hen suggests some pecking issues going on in your flock. Sometimes overcrowding or boredom can cause this. I would continue to keep your pullet isolated and watch her food and water intake, and her droppings. In addition to her layer feed, offer her some scrambled eggs, cooked oatmeal, small amounts of yogurt, and other of her favorite treats. You might also consider worming your flock if you suspect your other chickens are having the same symptoms as your one pullet. Be careful with the worming, though - I have heard others on this forum say not to worm a chicken that is in poor health. Hopefully others on here with more experience can give you better advice on worming. Good luck with your pullet!

 

[dawny2u2]

Thank you so much for your reply, she died overnight. I appreciate you replying, one feels so helpless. She ate well yesterday, and I was hoping for the best. My coop is an old cabin, I gutted - about 20 x 30. Been cold the last 3 days but before that the weather was okay, they were going outside, a huge run, I would have thought she had every opportunity to thrive. I will keep a better eye out there. Appreciate you posting.

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

I am so sorry!!!!! She was such a cutie, I was hoping with some TLC she would bounce back. It sounds like your coop and run set up are fine (lots of space). It's so hard to lose one of your flock, especially when you can't figure out what happened. It's scary when one day they all seem ok and the next one is very ill, or dead. I wish I could say more to help you figure out what went wrong. Again, I am sorry for your loss

 

[Kluck Norris]

Our crew would not come out of the house today. There are 7 of them. We were having yard work done, so I figured that they were spooked by the bobcat equipment. When I went to gather the eggs, our Wessemer, Wynonna was laying on the floor of the coop, dead, and our Auracaunna, Cluck Norris, was sitting in the nest where the eggs were. I took Wy out of the coop, our EA, Bertha, ran up to the door after me. They all came out after I removed my little redhead. Cluck has droopy tail feathers, and he would sit down on the sand. ???????? What is wrong? I dont think that he is gonna make it. Never thought that I would be attached to chickens, but it broke my heart to find Wy gone. These are our first babies that we raised from tiny chicks. We really arent too wise as to ailments in the chicken world. Any advise would be great. I really dont like burying my babies. Thanks.