Drinking, not eating, lethargic pullet

[AntiqueB]

I have an approximately 8 month old black copper Marans pullet who has always been on the very small side. I think she has laid only one egg, and doesn't seem to be molting. She is last in the pecking order of 6 girls. They live away from me, in my school's garden, although I see them daily, or 2 days at most.

When I was there on Saturday, she was fine. Sunday, she was lethargic, and let me pick her up; she normally is even skittish about eating from my hand. Her comb was dark. I gave her 125 mg of amoxicillian (reason below) and water, but she was laying on the ground when I left. Today, Monday, she is standing again, and drinking, but not eating. Her comb is still dark. Crop was empty yesterday and today.

She has no visible wounds, but is almost skin and bones. She pooped after the water yesterday, and it was only white urates. Previously, there were no unusual poops in the coop or run.

About 2 weeks ago, another pullet (barred rock) the same age as her died. There was green poop at that time, so I wormed her, but she continued to decline for the next week or so. I decided to try amoxicillian, but she died after only one dose. Because worming didn't help, I decided to go directly to amoxicillian for the Marans.

I have 6 girls now. They range in age from 8 months to 4 years. They have a 4x6 converted shed as a coop with pine shavings, attached to a 10x13 fully enclosed, covered run. Both are cleaned of poop daily. They usually eat Purina organic starter/grower, with flaked oyster shell on the side, although I had to change to HenUp flockraiser for the last bag of feed. I have 3 feeders and 2 waterers.

Any ideas if these 2 cases are related? What could possibly be wrong with my Marans? I fully expected a dead bird today, so I was shocked she was standing, and would love to save her if I can.

Thank you for reading all this, and for any insights you may have.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you give them any grit to help with digestion? It is possible that the 8 month has some sort of issue that she was born with, such as a heart problem or reproductive issue, or she could have a chronic form of coccidiosis. I would start some Corid for treatment of coccidiosis just in case. I would get a necropsy through your state vet if you should lose her, just in case it could be Mareks or some other disease.

 

[ChicNmom]

At 8 months she should be laying eggs regularly. I have had a couple that had reproductive problems just a couple of months after starting to lay.

I would give her some human calcium citrate with vitamin D directly in her beak. Although not at the same time as the antibiotic.

It can't hurt and might help regulate her system. Sometimes if they have swelling internally they don't want to want to eat much.

The dark comb is concerning but I have also had hens combs turn dark when dehydrated.

Green poop usually happens when they aren't eating much unless they ate a lot of greens.


Was there any sign of mold in the converted shed or anything that they could have been exposed to?

 

[AntiqueB]

Thank you both!

They have grit, and no mold around. I will try the Corid today, as well. Perhaps give her more water, too!

She was vaxxed for Marek's; could she still be sick from it?

 

[Eggcessive]

It is possible to still get Mareks after a vaccine. Hopefully it is not Mareks, but something else.

 

[TillyPeeps]

Dark comb means she's lack of oxygen, which could caused by organ failure or respiration issues. If she has respiration infection, you may want to give her Tylan or Baytril instead of amoxicillian. You can get these antibiotics for pigeons easily online.