Chicken sitting back on her haunches

[Kmcschoolee]

I have a chicken that is about 3 years old and she's been sitting back on her haunches.A lot lately. She's eating fine walking fine and seems to be doing okay other than that. It's just like she is a little weak or tired. I have treated her with ivermectin pour on. A few drops to the back of her neck. I dint see any obvious signs of mites, lice , worms etc. But worried she has something like that draining her. I have had her on 2cc poultry cell for about 1.5 weeks. Any other ideas or suggestions?

 

[User690263]

When was the last time she laid an egg? That posture looks to me like she might be egg bound

 

[FowlProtector]

Hi,

I think the issue might actually be egg binding. Since she’s sitting back on her haunches, it could be that the egg is stuck inside her.

You can try gently feeling her abdomen to check if you can feel an egg. If you do, soaking her in warm water for 20-30 minutes can help relax her muscles and encourage the egg to pass. Afterward, you can try massaging her abdomen gently to help move the egg along. Offering extra calcium might also help.

If you don’t feel an egg or she doesn’t improve, it might be a good idea to have a vet check her to make sure there’s nothing else going on.

Hope this helps, and I hope she feels better soon!

 

[Kmcschoolee]

No one is laying a lot due to winter but this has been about 3 weeks so I dint think it's that. When she walks and stands it's a normal stance. She just looks like she gets tired and sits down. When I go outside to check on them she is sitting like this but will get up and walk normal.

 

[FowlProtector]

Ok thanks for info

 

[FowlProtector]

It sounds like your chicken might be a bit tired or low on energy, but it’s good that she’s eating, walking, and standing normally. Since you’ve treated her for parasites and she’s been on Poultry Cell, you're covering some of the basics. Here are a few other things you could try or check:

• Check her weight: If she’s losing weight, it could be a sign of something draining her, like a hidden illness. If you have a scale, gently weigh her to make sure she’s maintaining a healthy weight.
• Winter fatigue: Cold weather can definitely make chickens feel more tired. If she’s not laying much, it could be the combination of shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures affecting her energy. Adding a little extra warmth (without overheating) in the coop can help.
• Joint or muscle issues: Sometimes, chickens sit down a lot if they’re dealing with joint pain or muscle weakness. You could try giving her a bit of extra vitamin D (found in cod liver oil or chicken-specific supplements) to help support her joints and muscles.
• Watch for internal issues: If she continues to seem tired, it might be worth checking for any signs of internal problems like egg-binding, ascites (fluid buildup), or other conditions that could cause fatigue. Feel her abdomen gently to make sure there are no swollen areas or signs of discomfort.
• Stress: If there have been any recent changes in the flock or her environment (new chickens, different food, changes in routine), it could be affecting her energy levels.
• Parasite check: Even though you've treated her for parasites and haven’t noticed any signs, sometimes internal parasites like worms or coccidia can still drain energy. You could consider doing a fecal float test to check for any hidden parasites if you're worried.

It’s great that she’s still walking and eating normally. Keep an eye on her, and if things don't improve, a visit to the vet might help rule out anything more serious.

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[FowlProtector]

Here are a few extra tips to keep your chicken feeling good and possibly help her energy levels:

• Extra warmth: If she’s showing signs of being tired or weak from the cold, try adding extra bedding like straw or hay in the coop. If it's really cold, a heat lamp (safely used) can help keep her more comfortable.
• High-quality feed: Make sure she’s getting plenty of good food, especially in winter. You can try offering some treats that are rich in protein, like mealworms or scrambled eggs, to help boost her energy.
• Keep her hydrated: Cold weather can make chickens drink less, so keep an eye on her water. Make sure it’s not freezing and that she has easy access to it.
• Check for mites or lice again: Sometimes they can be hard to spot. Even though you didn’t see anything obvious, it doesn’t hurt to give her another quick check under her feathers for any tiny pests, especially around the vent and neck area.
• Encourage exercise: Even if she’s tired, some gentle encouragement to move around a bit might help her muscles and joints. Just make sure she’s not overexerting herself!
• Look for signs of stress: If there have been any recent changes in her flock or environment, that could be affecting her. Giving her a quiet, calm space and making sure she’s not getting bullied by other chickens could help reduce stress.

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[Kmcschoolee]

If you have any other thoughts or suggestions please let me know. I am not sure what else to think

 

[Kmcschoolee]

Thank you!! I will keep trying. I appreciate it. I have dealt with a lot of other issues with chickens but this is new. I will try to monitor her weight too

 

[Kmcschoolee]

Would tuna be if benefit for extra protein?