Chicken all fluffed up, lethargic, won't eat/drink, watery poop. She doesn't seem well, what do I do

[E.D.GardenFarm]

1) What type of bird, age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others?
We're not 100% sure as we got her from a rescue group, she is an ex-caged hen, she is about 15 months, I don't know about her weight
2) What is the behavior, exactly?
She was staying under a bush for most of the day with her eyes closed either standing or sitting. She has her feathers all fluffed up, her backside is swollen and red but it has been since we got her, we assume from her previous mistreatment. I have been told her poop is watery too.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
I have only noticed it today. However, she has been slightly swollen since we got her. Because they were caged hens they don't look very healthy, they were missing many feathers which have started to grow in now. Some of the others had swollen bums too but they have begun going down except hers.
She did go to bed herself though.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
Not that I can tell.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No, I don't think so.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I can't be sure, she's still a bit nervous of people touching her so I can't feel around without holding her down and I didn't want to do that just yet because I thought it would stress her out too much.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Layers pellets and water with some herbal gut conditioner and some Vit boost in it.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Runny and watery.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Nothing as of yet, but if she's still like she was in the morning I'll try something.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
We don't have a vet that can really deal with chickens in my area so, for the most part, we will have to deal with things ourselves unless things get extreme
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I took one or two but they are not very clear as she was in a bush.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
I don't know myself. Newspaper and something I believe.

 

[Chickens :)]

I am not sure what is wrong with your bird. Maybe she is in some sort of shock or be stressed from the transfer of being an ex-cage hen to having more freedom than normal. I can really only suggest to keep the vitamins going for her and maybe give her some egg as well. If her diet has changed that could also possibly cause what’s going on with her. I had a chicken who did this but she was very old and outlived all the others her age and eventually died. I don’t think this is the case though because your bird sounds quite young. If you can isolate her and get her calmed down in a quiet, darkish area and then check her for lice and mites you might be able to get a bit closer to her. Also have you noticed any worms or worm eggs in her poop? If you don’t know what a worm egg looks like it is like a grain of rice almost.
I hope this helps.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. When chickens are molting they can become more aloof and their bottoms can look more pronounced when feathers are missing. Has she stopped laying with her molt? Or is she molting yet? Some reproductive disorders such as internal laying and salpingitis can cause an enlarged lower belly. Ascites or fluid in the lower abdomen from heart failure or reproductive infections can also cause swelling or tightness.
Since she is new, having runny poops, and looking poorly, I would start her and the rest on a 5 to 7 day treatment of Corid (amprollium) in their water in case of coccidiosis. Dosage is 1.5 tsp of the powder or 2 tsp (10ml) of the liquid Corid per gallon of water. During Corid stop any vitamins, then resume as soon as it is finished. Chopped egg, tuna, liver, or meat are good snacks in small amounts, and they will usually accept layer feed wet with water. Change it out daily, so it doesn’t mold.
Worm eggs cannot be seen in poop. Round worms may be seen in poop, but not eggs, and tapeworm segments may be seen as white specks. Tapeworms are rare. If you choose to worm her and the others, Valbazen or SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer are good.

 

[E.D.GardenFarm]

I am not sure what is wrong with your bird. Maybe she is in some sort of shock or be stressed from the transfer of being an ex-cage hen to having more freedom than normal. I can really only suggest to keep the vitamins going for her and maybe give her some egg as well. If her diet has changed that could also possibly cause what’s going on with her. I had a chicken who did this but she was very old and outlived all the others her age and eventually died. I don’t think this is the case though because your bird sounds quite young. If you can isolate her and get her calmed down in a quiet, darkish area and then check her for lice and mites you might be able to get a bit closer to her. Also have you noticed any worms or worm eggs in her poop? If you don’t know what a worm egg looks like it is like a grain of rice almost.
I hope this helps.

Surprisingly I didn't even think of shock, I'll make sure we keep an eye on her for a while to see if things improve or deteriorate. My first thought was she was blocked up or a prolapse or something, we have had a chicken prolapse before but I don't think this one is looking the same and I would definitely not have an expert opinion. I will watch her tomorrow and if she's still poorly I will bring her inside and try calm her for a closer inspection. Thank you for your advice.

 

[E.D.GardenFarm]

Welcome to BYC. When chickens are molting they can become more aloof and their bottoms can look more pronounced when feathers are missing. Has she stopped laying with her molt? Or is she molting yet? Some reproductive disorders such as internal laying and salpingitis can cause an enlarged lower belly. Ascites or fluid in the lower abdomen from heart failure or reproductive infections can also cause swelling or tightness.
Since she is new, having runny poops, and looking poorly, I would start her and the rest on a 5 to 7 day treatment of Corid (amprollium) in their water in case of coccidiosis. Dosage is 1.5 tsp of the powder or 2 tsp (10ml) of the liquid Corid per gallon of water. During Corid stop any vitamins, then resume as soon as it is finished. Chopped egg, tuna, liver, or meat are good snacks in small amounts, and they will usually accept layer feed wet with water. Change it out daily, so it doesn’t mold.
Worm eggs cannot be seen in poop. Round worms may be seen in poop, but not eggs, and tapeworm segments may be seen as white specks. Tapeworms are rare. If you choose to worm her and the others, Valbazen or SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer are good.

I don't think she's molting but I can't be sure as her feathers are patchy. As for the laying, I don't know which ones lay at the moment we usually find between 4 and 6 eggs a day but sometimes forget to check hiding spots around the garden.
I will try get a closer inspection of her tomorrow and will look into those treatments you mentioned. Thank you very much for your help.

 

[Animalfisherwoman]

If she's not drinking, you can try administering fluids. You'll need sterile saline solution (i.e. lactate ringer) and syringe fitted with a hypodermic needle, which is injected just under the skin where the wing meets the shoulder. There are risks, but that said, I brought a bird back that way.

 

[E.D.GardenFarm]

If she's not drinking, you can try administering fluids. You'll need sterile saline solution (i.e. lactate ringer) and syringe fitted with a hypodermic needle, which is injected just under the skin where the wing meets the shoulder. There are risks, but that said, I brought a bird back that way.

Thank you for that, I will look into that definitely in case it comes to it

 

[Kiki]

The first thing that comes to mind is coccidiosis, especially since she is on new ground.
Are you in the US?

 

[E.D.GardenFarm]

The first thing that comes to mind is coccidiosis, especially since she is on new ground.
Are you in the US?

No I'm in Ireland

 

[E.D.GardenFarm]

She's looking much better now, up and about, eating, drinking, and foraging around, she's still a little fluffed up and red but she seems to be improving. Thank you to all for your advice.