Chicken was not up and moving with the others this morning.

Troyerchicks · Mar 21, 2011

Okay- trying not to freak out as first time chicken owner but...need some advice:

Went into the coop this morning to check on the chickens and noticed all but one were walking around. One of the buff orps was still laying down with her eyes closed. I sat down by her and pet her. She turned toward me but never opened her eyes. She just stayed there while I stroked her back. Just the simple fact that she let me do that has me concerned. What do I need to look for? She's about 18 weeks old.

I know this is kinda vague but the chickens have always, always been up and active.

Update: She's now up and moving. However, she will still stand there with her eyes closed, open them and then close them. The chickens are in a coop at night and an enclosed run during the day. I let them all into the run and checked the coop for any bloody stool and found none. I did find some green stool surrounded by lots of whitish/ yellowish liquid stuff. I did feed them blueberries for the first time yesterday.

Does anyone know what else I should look for?

tcbosco1 · Mar 21, 2011

I am experiencing a similar issue with a hen and someone suggested Sour Crop.

Check your girl's crop. Mine (well, my hen's) was squishy and felt like a water balloon.
There is a lot of good info here on BYC, but you'll have to search for it!

Since I'm in the middle of this myself, I have no real experience with sour crop yet and hence no advice to give.

Good luck!

paxicotrader · Mar 21, 2011

Is it possible she's having trouble passing her first egg?

Other than that, if she's truly sick it might be best to separate her from the others.

paxicotrader · Mar 21, 2011

Another thought. Mites or parasites can make them lethargic. Maybe you should dust/worm all the hens, to be safe.

Three Cedars Silkies · Mar 21, 2011

There is something wrong. Bring her in, start antibiotics in her water and try to get her to eat something. Perhaps eggbound.

When they act like that....they are sick!!

jjthink · Mar 21, 2011

She is definitely sick.

Get her inside in a warm comfortable quiet/peaceful confined area (like a large dog cage) with all her creature comforts close at hand (foot?). Is she eating and drinking? Probably not much from the lathargy you describe. I think there's a good bet she's getting critical, acting like that. Ideally she would see a vet because the symptoms are hard to associate with one particular ailment.
JJ

dawg53 · Mar 21, 2011

I would first visually inspect her for lice/mites. Then take a poop sample to the vet and have them look at it for internal parasites and cocci. Shouldnt cost much.

Troyerchicks · Mar 21, 2011

Thank you everyone!!

Update on Artie:
My father in law came over and checked on her. He said that her crop felt hard. (I had him compare her crop to two other chickens, much to their dismay). Impacted Crop? From what I've read I should isolate her, give a dropper of mineral oil and make sure she has water. Keep her from food for 12-24 hours. Does this sound about right?

Visual inspection - no lice.

The closest avian vet is an hour and a half from here. If I can treat her at home I will.

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