Depressed/ Grieving Chicken. Need Help!

[DreamingFeather]

Hello im new to this but i have joined out of concern for my hen Skye.
Skye is a lovely friendly hen and always the one to run forward to get scraps. I started off with 4 chickens in 2010 but one died of an anal prolapse not long after getting her. I was then left with my 3 chickens (1 bluebelle and 2 Lohmann Browns). Last year i sadly lost my Lohmann Brown Cherry after she suddenly went down ill and her abdomen swolled up and she would eat or drink. I suspected a blockage and she was put on anti biotics but she lost the fight and died 3 weeks later.

My last two chickens Angel (bluebelle) and Skye (Lohmann Brown) were very close after losing Cherry as Cherry was top chicken and they followed her around. Unfortunatley Angel seemed to come down with the same thing as Cherry did and i lost her on saturday. Throughout her fight to get better Skye stayed with her the entire time, protecting her and keeping her company. When Angel deteriorated and stayed in the nesting box Skye stayed too with her wing draped over Angels back. It was heartbreaking to see and i knew that it would be tough on Skye. Skye now just plods out of her run (as we have allowed her access to the whole garden and patio so she can be closer too us and roam around more) and goes to the same bush and sits there with her eyes closed facing the fence. Ive put water and food down but shes not interested. I tried rice and she had some but returned to the bush and i tried egg which she also had some of but returned again to her bush. Ive been sitting and talking to her today and got a cd and shined it around. She perked her head but then turned away, i also tried with a mirror but she just doesnt want to know.

Shes sucha character and i hate seeing her like this. She sits hunched over with her eyes closed, her comb is paling and has started to flop over which i think must be dehydration and i sat her down and got her to drink abit. I also pulled her onto my lap and cradled her and she clucked and lay down and closed her eyes while i stroked her and used my jacket to protect us from the wind.
I know this is really long but i am worried about her. Im wondering if anyone else has been in the same situation and what they have done to help their chicken. Me and my dad have constructed another coop onto her run and hope to be getting some more friends for her if my mom okays it. Mom seems to think its an infection but i dont think it is as Skye was always next to Angel throughout the ill time as it depressed both of them to be away from each other. Please help. I dont want to lose her aswell. Ill answer any questions and any answers are appreciated.

Thanks,
Laura

 

[chooks4life]

If you've progressively lost chickens to unknown causes and your last remaining one is looking unwell, I wouldn't just blame depression, though that can happen too, I'd personally be rather hastily seeking info on what killed the other hens. Some diseases and other probelms can kill in staggers, they don't all go down at once. I wouldn't doubt that she's a bit depressed but she actually sounds ill. The comb paling and bending so significantly means she is physically not ok. Best wishes, it's time to get your sleuthing/forensic hat on... Possibly contact a vet.

 

[DreamingFeather]

i have been researching and all thats come up is egg bound and reproductive tract issues. Skyes abdomen area hasnt swelled up and shes alert and fiesty if i move her from her spot and she clucks and walks back over, shes doing poops but she hasnt eaten much so theres only alittle part of it thats the black solid stuff and the rest is just the white part thats abit runny because as i said she is only drinking. Im going to try and coax her to eat some more food. Ill phone a vet and ask about see if anyone has any idea of what it could be. Thanks for the answer, much appreciated

 

[jaimemae]

Can you get her a friend? I guess you would want to make sure she's not ill before introducing a new chicken but I don't think chickens like to be alone. I would get her a friend.

 

[TheGoodLifeGirl]

I think it would be best if you can bring her into the house and put her in a brooding like box with food and water, this will be easier to keep an eye on her and maybe she'll perk up a little with the company, in the meantime I agree with Chooks4Life about contacting a vet, as she too could be unwell. Hope she feels better

 

[DreamingFeather]

well after research and a htoutrough physical check she has teeny little grey/white dots at the bases of her feathers around her vent. Knowing these are mite or lice ive been out and got mite powder and powdered her and the coop. ice brought some liquid supplement and a product called Beaphar spot on anti parasite for large birds and i was wondering if its okay to use on her. I think she is anaemic as all the symptoms add up. Sudden lethargicness, pale comb and wattles, not wanting to eat or drink and the fact she has mites or lice on her adds up to anemia so im treating her for it now

 

[jaimemae]

Aw poor girl. I hope this does the trick and she's feeling better soon. I'd still get her a friend when she's feeling better

 

[TheGoodLifeGirl]

Let us know the outcome, hope she gets better!! xoxo

 

[HomesteadDebi]

Such a sad story.

I hope she gets better soon. I agree with Jaimemae, as soon as I knew she was ok, I would get her a friend. No one likes to be alone, not even chickens.