Comb flopped down and pale

[They Call Me Pete]

One if my RIR's has those symptoms and doesn't move around much. Seems to be eating/drinking but is always by herself just standing/sitting around. I've also noticed she seems to be sleepy. Eyes are closed a lot. Any ideas ?? Doing the hot pepper treatment for worms on all. Haven't seen any but doing it as a precaution.

 

[tykris99]

Sorry you don't give much info to go on can you give any other ideas on her behavior is she pooping , eating, drinking,

 

[threehorses]

if you could answer the questions from the second sticky post in the forum - only answer the questions in here - that would help us to be able to provide you better help.

When they say "weight" they mean how she feels - thin, heavy, belly feels like a V or like Y at the keel bone, etc. If you have a (pound) weight that would be awesome, but at least quality of weight rather than numbers.

I'd also add to do a thorough exam of your bird and the environment around her and give us all the info you can. Often the seemingly small and insignificant bits of information are very important after all.

I'm going to link my personal exam and troubleshooting list. Any of these questions you could answer would also be helpful.

Nathalie's Troubleshooting and Exam Checklist:

The Examination:
Examine her body for weight: is she thin, heavy, skinny, lumpy, fat? Can you feel her keel like a spatula, or just slightly, or within a crease of fatty flesh?
Examine her eyes: are they clear and bright? No discoloration on the eye’s surface? Any drainage? Pupils both round and reactive to light?
Examine her beak/throat: are her nares (nostrils) clear? Is the inside of her mouth healthy and pink? Does she have excess mucus? Is her beak pale in color? Does she have bad breath or a sour smell?
Examine her crop: Is she holding feed after a night of not eating? Are her crop contents appropriate to what she’s been eating? Does she get granite type grit?
Examine her skin: check carefully for lice/mites (see below**). Look for any broken skin, redness of vent, scratches, anything abnormal.
Examine her abdomen: Feel delicately between her legs and back up to her vent - do you feel any lumpiness, or is she firm, or is she hard-bodied?
Listen to her respiratory system: With your ear against her throat and chest, listen to her breathing. Do you hear hiccups, wheezes, rales, or rattles? Do you hear any strange noises or whistles near her nostrils?
Examine her vent: Other than the clinging droppings, do you see white or black waxy stuff near her vent? Any sores from the droppings? Is her actual vent opening tight and dry, or is it dilated (open) and moist. (This can indicate if she's trying to lay.)

Flock history:
Tell us more about diet: do your hens have access to both granite type grit as well as oyster shell? Is she on diet appropriate for her age and type? (Grower,starter-grower, layer, layer-breeder)? Does she have more grains than complete (crumble/pellet) feed? What does her entire diet consist of? Do you use any products in your waterers? If so, what kind?
Tell us more about the environment: Is your ill bird kept with others of different ages? Were any new birds added recently? Are you birds kept in a coop/coop with run/free range, or other arrangement? If injury, is it possible that it was caused by the other chickens,, or a predator? What type of bedding do you use? (shavings, straw, sand, etc) Has the environment been wet lately – because of weather or spilled waterers? Do the chickens have 2 square feet of room each? Do they have plenty of ventilation and fresh air, or is the room in which they are kept rather air tight? Do you smell any smells in their housing?
Worming: do you worm? If so, when did you last worm, and with what products?
Misc Environment: does she have access to any compost, kitchen scraps, manure piles, ponds?
New additions: Were any birds, including this one, vaccinated for anything of which you’re aware? Were they or her purchased from a feedstore/flea market/private breeder/hatchery?

Thank you!
Thank you for answering all million of these questions (wink). The more info put in, the more info we can put out. I look forward to your reply.


**Mites and lice: they're nearly microscopic, and mites only go onto the birds at night often enough and then occassionally they just remain off the bird while they lay their eggs in the wood of the coops, etc. Check them at night, with a flashlight (and the coop light on), and a light colored pillowcase to help you find mites. Ruffle through all of their feathers. Pay careful attention to the warm/moist areas under the wing feathers, near the vent, along all the feather shafts, etc. If you find them, you must treat the bird and the premises and the birds must be retreated at least once in 7 days - preferably twice. Recheck a few times this week and next to try to find mites. Let us know if you find anything like this and we'll advise on treatment.

 

[They Call Me Pete]

Well she seems to be doing better. Comb has color but still flopped down. I saw her eat this morning. Also seems to be moving about and no eyes closes/sleepiness. I think she may just be a loner. Doesn't seem to interact with other chickens. Don't know if flock has done this to her or not. Will keep an eye on her though.