Depressed chicken?

[aart]

I'm not sure why the reasoning behind prescribing AB seems important.

Because the wrong AB's are ineffective, can cause side effects in the bird(which may be what you are seeing), and cause resistance in humans and the chicken.
Crop issues are usually fungal.
One of the main reasons I grow my own eggs and chicken meat is to avoid AB's and other 'meds'.

 

[dpetzen]

Your from nz so could it be heat? You are gaining heat right now? In the states we are cooling off so that may be something wevarent thinking of.... she could be heat affected I like electrolyte/vitamin powder to give in water, administering some directly to her, she isn't feeling well but she could be taking a break too and when they are on that break they don't show much interest in food, don't have that urge and drive to eat as layers do.

It hasn't heated up too much yet, but I've already set up sheets to reduce the sun warming up their enclosure too much. They normally start to hold their wings out when it gets really hot, but that is normally not until it's 25 degrees and above (I actually had the entire flock on a tarpaulin under the AC last summer!).

I'm going to order both vitamins and electrolytes (if I can find a it). It sounds like good supplements.

I hope she's OK and it's a matter of her having a holiday from the daily toil ;-)

Cheers,
Dan

 

[dpetzen]

Because the wrong AB's are ineffective, can cause side effects in the bird(which may be what you are seeing), and cause resistance in humans and the chicken.
Crop issues are usually fungal.
One of the main reasons I grow my own eggs and chicken meat is to avoid AB's and other 'meds'.

It's a wide AB and I'm keeping a close eye on any side effects. It's only for a week.

I'm fully aware of the risks with AB (AB resistant bacteria being in the forefront of my mind) and I only take it myself if there is no other way. That said, the real problem with AB is where the farming industry pumps all animals full with AB so they won't die from being maltreated and abused.

This is likely how the world will succumb to the common cold one day, but I'll try to stay on the less gloomy side ;-)

As I'm not a vet, my thinking was 'better safe than sorry' and that it's a very limited time.

Cheers,
Dan

 

[Helloworld]

It does not matter what pecking order you are, sometimes there is a chicken in the group that notices the missing and grieves. Mites are making her miserable and her tail is up, a sign it isn’t physical except maybe worms. She also looks and acts broody. I have some that skip as they go through it and others that may not be getting the length of time on a nest they need so they give up and become depressed. I had a little red star that literally treated her nest as her secret room lol. If the other hens were in there or wouldn’t listen or follow sometimes she would go off and pout.
I did not see their ages so that is a factor too. I would separate her with her best friend so she feels she is being noticed. Once the two start twinning, put them back and see how they do.

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

Mites are common and sucks (no pun) but unless you see comb discoloration and other symptoms I doubt it's enough to alter her mood like that.

Vitamin Bs and amino acids supplement worked good for a girl of mine who was lethargic, pissy and molting few weeks ago. She perked up in a day or two.

Worth a shot, not sure what you guys have down under but I get this and their amino supplement product. Plus it tastes good, yea I tried it lol.

https://www.jefferspet.com/products/rooster-booster-liquid-b-12-16-oz

 

[dpetzen]

It does not matter what pecking order you are, sometimes there is a chicken in the group that notices the missing and grieves. Mites are making her miserable and her tail is up, a sign it isn’t physical except maybe worms. She also looks and acts broody.

Yes, you may be right.

They were all at the 'funeral' and certainly noticed that one of them wasn't with them anymore. It was actually a really odd moment where they all stopped dead in their tracks and looked at me as I was about to put Cthulhu in her grave. They were all just completely frozen, dead silent, and it went on for some time. So they definitely took notice in one way or another.

I've had two very sick chooks as of late, and they were more sluggish and dropped their tails and their wingsm which Boudie definitely doesn't (as you point out).

She has mites and I'll start the treatment ASAP. Trying to spray them will result in mayhem and a chicken riot, but it has to be done.

I have some that skip as they go through it and others that may not be getting the length of time on a nest they need so they give up and become depressed. I had a little red star that literally treated her nest as her secret room lol. If the other hens were in there or wouldn’t listen or follow sometimes she would go off and pout.

I've got to roosts, as I recently integrated 4 new chickens. They tend to use the old, smaller, roost for egg laying and the bigger to sleep in, but a couple of them sometimes sleep in the old coop.

So there are plenty of space, but perhaps she has a favourite spot that someone else insists on using. Perhaps it's time for a camera in their coop as well...

I did not see their ages so that is a factor too. I would separate her with her best friend so she feels she is being noticed. Once the two start twinning, put them back and see how they do.

Boudie is 3 years. She's a Red Shaver and was rescued from a egg factory, so her life expectancy is very low. Perhaps 3-5 years.

Gentle (her best friend) is looking after her and keeps on checking on her. I try to get them together. I'll keep an eye on them and see if I can do more to keep them together.

 

[dpetzen]

Mites are common and sucks (no pun) but unless you see comb discoloration and other symptoms I doubt it's enough to alter her mood like that.

Well, Id id spot some discolouration on her tail feather and she definitely have mites, so I'll make it a priority to get her mite-free as soon as possible.

Vitamin Bs and amino acids supplement worked good for a girl of mine who was lethargic, pissy and molting few weeks ago. She perked up in a day or two.

Worth a shot, not sure what you guys have down under but I get this and their amino supplement product. Plus it tastes good, yea I tried it lol.

https://www.jefferspet.com/products/rooster-booster-liquid-b-12-16-oz

It would be fantastic if that worked for Boudie.

Vitamins and supplements seem to be recommended by quite a few people. I will look into it ASAP.

Thanks for the link! That'll help me find he equivalent here in New Zealand.

Cheers,
Dan

 

[Helloworld]

Do you have a rooster? I read but did not see.

 

[dpetzen]

Do you have a rooster? I read but did not see.

No, unfortunately the bylaws in my area don't allow it.

I gave them a lawn ornament rooster, but they didn't fall for it

 

[Helloworld]

Sniff. Life just sucks sometimes. Try a radio.