Chicken may be dying...

[crystal94560]

Not sure whats going on with my chicken. I'm not sure how old she is. Her previous owners said 1-2 years old, but her nails look too long to only be 2, maybe she's older? She's been laying every other day since we got her. Anyway, she has been fine since we got her. All of the sudden today she started acting weird. First I noticed she was laying alone under the roost. I though maybe it was just the heat making her nest in a weird place (it was in the low 80's today) I watched her for a bit and she looked like she was falling asleep...every so often she'd lift her head but then sink back down...never opening her eyes. I went in and checked on her. When I picked her up she was like a rag doll. Didn't open her eyes, Just kind of layed loosely in my arms. I brought her into our back yard and put her in a box with a towel. She's been laying there for a couple hours now, won't drink, won't eat, seems very weak. No signs of injury, no mites, her skin seems dry, wrinkled, and loose (dehydrated?) She is breathing a bit fast but isn't that another sign of dehydration? I'm not sure whats going on. She refuses even water...just lays there limply ignoring anything I do. Twice in the last 2 hours I saw her move her leg to get more comfortable, but that was after laying limply for awhile.
I'm just giving comfort care in case she dies. Unsure of what else to do.

 

[crystal94560]

oh and she feels hot...but I'm not sure what temp is normal for chickens? Or how to even take a chick temp to compare. Or what to do even if I knew she did have a temp.
Help?

 

[ten chicks]

oh and she feels hot...but I'm not sure what temp is normal for chickens? Or how to even take a chick temp to compare. Or what to do even if I knew she did have a temp.
Help?

Did you notice any panting or wings spread out. Heat stress? Can you get any electrolytes in her?

 

[crystal94560]

I've been putting a couple drips of water in her beak hourly. She just lays there limply though. I opened her yes gently and she seems in a fixed gaze. The last time I gave her water she fluffed her wing up weakly. Don't laugh at me for asking, but can chickens take baby tylenol / ibprofen? I wish there was something I could do for her. I don't think she's going to make it.

 

[crystal94560]

I opened her **eyes** gently and she seems in a fixed gaze

 

[crystal94560]

and yes she's breathing fast. earlier her beak was open a bit but now it's closed and she is still breathing a bit fast. Would an Ice pack help? Or just make her uncomfortable?
It's still in the 80's right now

 

[Eggcessive]

She needs to be someplace cool. Maybe others have kept her from the water. I would dip her beak into water as often as i could to force her to drink a bit. If you have any save-a -chick or vitamins you might give her some. She may have a bad heart. I hope she gets better. You might check her crop to see if it is impacted.

 

[crystal94560]

She's gone. Thanks anyway.
Not sure what happened. She just stopped breathing. I think she went peacefully though.

 

[ten chicks]

She's gone. Thanks anyway.
Not sure what happened. She just stopped breathing. I think she went peacefully though.

Sorry to hear she passed away. You were there with her,and she knew you were doing all you could,that is chick love.