Chicken is lethargic, poop abnormal, not eating or drinking, don’t think egg bound either

Hemphia

In the Brooder
Jun 21, 2021
4
0
12
Please HELP......Flower is a 1 year old Lavender Orphington. I acquired her a little over a week ago. She has been good since arrival but noted yesterday she was acting lethargic. She was sleeping under the coop even when I tossed out their garden grains and meal worms. I was able to rouse her but it required effort, which isn’t normal. I removed her from everyone and checked for an egg. I’m an RN, so I gloved up and swept after palpating her abdomen. There was nothing in there that I could note. She didn’t lay an egg yesterday or the day before either...... but she has been laying since arrival. I started giving her water via syringe after a bit because she wasn’t eating or drinking inside. Since arriving she has been on Purina starter Unmedicated because I wasn’t anticipating to acquire a hen as old as her. I have 10 six week old chicks and 6 seven week old Guinea that she (and the 2 four month old pullets) was joined with. I also have 22 chicks and 6 keets so lots of starter feed. After giving some hydration I then gave her a chicken bath in warm water with Epsom salts, she seemed to like it Bc she dozed off and snored. I kept being told she might still be egg bound and to give her some calcium since the grower doesn’t have as much, so I crushed a tums and gave it to her with the water and syringe. When giving her fluids via syringe or flipping her to check her she still has fight in her. I hadn’t noticed any poop in the few hours she was in the box inside prior to bath and bed. Overnight I kept her comfortable inside a box in the laundry room. I woke up this morning to her being a little more alert but still sleepy. She had given a small poop, it was green.. pic attached. Checked her crop and it appeared empty this morning as well as nothing noted in her abdomen. I gave her some water and then went ahead and checked her temp. She was 107.1. She still has fight this morning too but seems like a touch more than yesterday. I put her outside to see what she would do, If she would move around or hunker down and sleep. She was looking around and move a bit. She then gave me a BIG poop before she opted to hunker down again This one was different, pic in comments as well. It doesn’t seem to match much of any pics I’ve seen online. This poop was fresh and I watched her do it. It almost appears to look like the food..... not foamy, not oily, no discharge or slime. What could be wrong?? She has been great since bringing her home. The other pullets that came with her are fine as are all the chicks that are in the coop with her.

Attached are pics of her bottom dry and wet, a pic of her sitting this morning in her box, and then the 2 poops mentioned above.
 

Attachments

  • 076AD3D2-88F5-4E17-89B5-3A9D567D73A1.jpeg
    076AD3D2-88F5-4E17-89B5-3A9D567D73A1.jpeg
    107 KB · Views: 13
  • C047723F-6D90-4FAA-9611-8E7C29D98B74.jpeg
    C047723F-6D90-4FAA-9611-8E7C29D98B74.jpeg
    568.1 KB · Views: 8
  • 629CA5A1-4EA1-42A8-A39F-524482A80B9E.jpeg
    629CA5A1-4EA1-42A8-A39F-524482A80B9E.jpeg
    535.8 KB · Views: 8
  • 6895E9D8-EE71-4925-BE31-EB053B46EF76.jpeg
    6895E9D8-EE71-4925-BE31-EB053B46EF76.jpeg
    369.4 KB · Views: 10
  • 9FC89AE0-78C6-43A2-92BD-2A85B5747B35.jpeg
    9FC89AE0-78C6-43A2-92BD-2A85B5747B35.jpeg
    861.3 KB · Views: 11
  • 2C38EC66-7760-49C0-9707-54E5B9888018.jpeg
    2C38EC66-7760-49C0-9707-54E5B9888018.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 10
The first poop looks like a cecal poop, but the later ones look a bit like a hen with reproductive issues or liver problems. I would continue to watch her droppings. Offer crushed egg shells and some oyster shell while she is on chick feed. The calcium was a good idea. Offer some wet chicken feed, and a little egg, plus a spoonful of plain yogurt for some probiotics. Tuna or canned cat food are other choices for coxing one to eat. Reproductive problems are common in hens, but usually later in life. If an infection is suspected, Fish Mox amoxicillin 125-250 mg given orally twice a day might help. Toss out any eggs for 2 weeks after treatment if used.
 
The first poop looks like a cecal poop, but the later ones look a bit like a hen with reproductive issues or liver problems. I would continue to watch her droppings. Offer crushed egg shells and some oyster shell while she is on chick feed. The calcium was a good idea. Offer some wet chicken feed, and a little egg, plus a spoonful of plain yogurt for some probiotics. Tuna or canned cat food are other choices for coxing one to eat. Reproductive problems are common in hens, but usually later in life. If an infection is suspected, Fish Mox amoxicillin 125-250 mg given orally twice a day might help. Toss out any eggs for 2 weeks after treatment if used.
Thank you. She pooped this a little bit ago.
 

Attachments

  • FD8BD6E8-7A01-41C6-8FA0-787F171A54D8.jpeg
    FD8BD6E8-7A01-41C6-8FA0-787F171A54D8.jpeg
    565.6 KB · Views: 8

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom