Concerned for lethargic senior aged bird.

[CHlCKEN]

I've got a seven year old Barred Rock who about two to three weeks ago began appearing heavily lethargic with pale comb and wattles. Her posture is also drooped, tail down, head tucked, and eyes half-closed. I also often find her laying down or choosing to stay back while the rest of the flock comes over to see me. I first assumed she was starting her molt but it doesn't look like that is the case. I'm fairly certain that she has retired from laying so I can't imagine that this is anything of reproductive concern either. She's always been a healthy bird and her only incident was a run in with bumble foot several weeks ago. I did treat her and from what I can tell, eradicated the infection, but she hasn't stopped limping. Based on general observation her foot appears healthy. No swelling, inflammation, redness, dark spots or reason for alarm. Throughout all of this her appetite has remained normal and no other symptoms have manifested. Is it possible that the lethargy is related to the original bumblefoot? Or is it likely that there is something else going on?

 

[ChicNmom]

I would think it is something else.

How does her poop look?
Have you felt her abdomen for any swelling and checked her over for mites or poultry lice? If she has not felt well enough to dust bath then she could have mites and they can deplete the birds energy.

 

[coach723]

Even a bird that has stopped laying from age can still develop a reproductive problem. I had a 10 year old wellsummer, one of my healthiest birds ever, become lethargic and obviously unwell. Other than unhealthy looking droppings, there were no other obvious symptoms. I treated with a round of antibiotics, but there was no change and she passed shortly after. Necropsy showed an absessed ovary, and she was septic (most unpleasant necropsy I have ever done). So, it can still happen. At 7 years old the possibilities are numerous, that is not a bad age for a heavy laying breed, though some do live longer. Give her a good going over, make sure nothing has been missed, no injuries hiding in feathers, no lice/mites, see what droppings look like, body condition - under weight, normal, fat, any abdominal bloat, check her crop function, feel if it's hard, soft, empty, full, soft and squishy, etc. And check first thing in the morning before access to food and water, it should be empty then. Pretty much look at everything you can, and look for anything. The more information, the easier it is to narrow things down.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Even a bird that has stopped laying from age can still develop a reproductive problem.

Should have phrased that better, I meant that I felt it unlikely to be a laying issue.

I had a 10 year old wellsummer, one of my healthiest birds ever, become lethargic and obviously unwell. Other than unhealthy looking droppings, there were no other obvious symptoms. I treated with a round of antibiotics, but there was no change and she passed shortly after. Necropsy showed an absessed ovary, and she was septic (most unpleasant necropsy I have ever done).

Something internal like this seems likely. Digestive or reproductive.

So, it can still happen. At 7 years old the possibilities are numerous, that is not a bad age for a heavy laying breed, though some do live longer. Give her a good going over, make sure nothing has been missed, no injuries hiding in feathers, no lice/mites, see what droppings look like, body condition - under weight, normal, fat, any abdominal bloat, check her crop function, feel if it's hard, soft, empty, full, soft and squishy, etc. And check first thing in the morning before access to food and water, it should be empty then. Pretty much look at everything you can, and look for anything. The more information, the easier it is to narrow things down.

At my last inspection on her, everything was fine. I'll take another look today and report back. I'd have liked to provide more specific information but nothing is obviously wrong from what I can actually see.

 

[CHlCKEN]

I would think it is something else.

I also doubt it is related.

How does her poop look? Have you felt her abdomen for any swelling and checked her over for mites or poultry lice? If she has not felt well enough to dust bath then she could have mites and they can deplete the birds energy.

Haven't looked at her poop this week. Mites aren't likely but I intend to check her again. She's able to dust bathe as she normally would.

 

[coach723]

That is often the case, sadly. They are very, very good at hiding illness, so a bird displaying lethargy or listlessness is definitely something to check out. Since we can't see inside, it's often hard to know for sure. Even with vet care, which can be expensive if you can find it, with imaging and blood work, often doesn't really tell you. Sometimes it does, but many just can't spend that kind of $$ or don't have access to a good avian vet. Droppings often provide useful clues, pictures are welcome. I would crate her in a wire crate if possible, so you can monitor eating, drinking, look at droppings, etc. You can put the crate in the run with the others, which is often less stressful for them.

 

[CHlCKEN]

That is often the case, sadly. They are very, very good at hiding illness, so a bird displaying lethargy or listlessness is definitely something to check out. Since we can't see inside, it's often hard to know for sure. Even with vet care, which can be expensive if you can find it, with imaging and blood work, often doesn't really tell you. Sometimes it does, but many just can't spend that kind of $$ or don't have access to a good avian vet. Droppings often provide useful clues, pictures are welcome. I would crate her in a wire crate if possible, so you can monitor eating, drinking, look at droppings, etc. You can put the crate in the run with the others, which is often less stressful for them.

For several reasons I can't bring her in the house to crate, and I probably can't put her in the barn either. I can spend time watching her outside but I don't think I'll be able to have her isolated. I do have an avian vet and I actually may be taking a job with them too. I love this bird but I know I'm probably looking at an expensive x-ray if I take her in. Plus, with a diagnostic visit I'd be paying for tests AND treatment/euthanasia depending on the situation. It's just a tough decision based on the expenses and impossibility of predicting an outcome.

 

[coach723]

I completely understand. When I have an older bird that presents like this, I look for the obvious and common things, parasites, internal and external, do a thorough external exam, get a look at droppings. Depending on what is going on I may worm them, I may do a round of amoxicillin to cover the bases. But often the real answers don't come until necropsy. Cancers are pretty common, as well as heart, liver, kidney issues. Often it's something that treatments weren't going to help anyway. It's always a judgement call on your part, you are the one there.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I've got a seven year old Barred Rock who about two to three weeks ago began appearing heavily lethargic with pale comb and wattles. Her posture is also drooped, tail down, head tucked, and eyes half-closed. I also often find her laying down or choosing to stay back while the rest of the flock comes over to see me. I first assumed she was starting her molt but it doesn't look like that is the case. I'm fairly certain that she has retired from laying so I can't imagine that this is anything of reproductive concern either. She's always been a healthy bird and her only incident was a run in with bumble foot several weeks ago. I did treat her and from what I can tell, eradicated the infection, but she hasn't stopped limping. Based on general observation her foot appears healthy. No swelling, inflammation, redness, dark spots or reason for alarm. Throughout all of this her appetite has remained normal and no other symptoms have manifested. Is it possible that the lethargy is related to the original bumblefoot? Or is it likely that there is something else going on?

Sounds like she maybe preparing to die naturally too me.

Hens dying will usually go pale(not all), & try to get away from the flock. Some will have one last meal before passing.(Mine Did)

I've encountered natural death with one of my 8-9yr old hens, & the process can take several hours.
The scary part is when their brain starts shutting down. They'll collapse, & spazz off, & on(Random head, & leg movements), & within a few minutes in-between before finally dying which can have alot of flapping, & kicking involved.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Well. I brought her in to my garage to do a full exam and she perked up immediately. Full posture, alert, healthy poop and normal appetite. I'm thinking her lethargy must be related to heat stress. I also examined her feet too to see what the cause for her limp is and there just isn't anything wrong at all. I checked every crevice and all the way up her legs and nothing seems to be wrong at all. Can't even tell she had the bumble foot. Anyone have an idea why she'd still be limping?