Chicken lethargic and not eating, but drinking water...what could be wrong with her?

[socalchickens76]

Hello,

I have a 3 year old Barred Rock who tonight has been very lethargic, not interested much in food but is drinking a lot of water. Usually she is extremely active and will run like a bat out of hell for any food that is offered to her. Tonight she could care less.

My daughter has noticed that she did throw up some clear liquid with undigested food particles a few times in the last few weeks. But that's about it as far as symptoms go. She has been laying eggs just fine....every other day or so.

What could it be? We live near the beach and it has been humid and a little warmer than normal. Don't think it's heat related but perhaps it could be.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

Did you have Necropsies done on the last few birds that died from reproductive issues?

What do you feed this one?

 

[socalchickens76]

No we did not... the first one died in Sept 2021 and the second died April 2023. They eat New Country Organics chicken feed (similar to scratch n peck). We also give them kitchen scraps and things from the garden (swiss chard, kale, etc).

 

[nuthatched]

How much scraps and veggies do they get?

 

[socalchickens76]

How much scraps and veggies do they get?

Not too, too much...as of late it's mostly been swiss chard and kale. Sometimes we give them leftover meat and salad from dinners that don't get eaten.

 

[nuthatched]

Not too, too much...as of late it's mostly been swiss chard and kale. Sometimes we give them leftover meat and salad from dinners that don't get eaten.

Both chard and kale (also spinach) contain vitamin and calcium blockers, it's best to avoid giving them those.
Butvo don't think that is the issue, she could have a slow crop with the heat

 

[socalchickens76]

Both chard and kale (also spinach) contain vitamin and calcium blockers, it's best to avoid giving them those.
Butvo don't think that is the issue, she could have a slow crop with the heat

She just laid a soft shelled egg and strained a bit to get it out. Her egg shells have been somewhat thin and weak lately.

 

[nuthatched]

She just laid a soft shelled egg and strained a bit to get it out. Her egg shells have been somewhat thin and weak lately.

Now, that could be caused by the kale etc.
Is her feed a whole grain feed?
Any oyster shells?

 

[socalchickens76]

Now, that could be caused by the kale etc.
Is her feed a whole grain feed?
Any oyster shells?

Yes, she eats a whole grain feed similar to scratch n peck. And they have oyster shells always available.

I have a liquid form of calcium citrate. We just fed her some scrambled egg with 1/2 tsp of the calcium mixed in. She ate most of it. I just don't know the proper dosage and how long we should give it to her.

 

[nuthatched]

Yes, she eats a whole grain feed similar to scratch n peck. And they have oyster shells always available.

I have a liquid form of calcium citrate. We just fed her some scrambled egg with 1/2 tsp of the calcium mixed in. She ate most of it. I just don't know the proper dosage and how long we should give it to her.

What's the strength of the the calcium?
Whole grain feeds ate best fermented or at least wetted, so birds get all the vitamin mix in the feed instead of it settling to the bottom.