I have an approx 6 month old porcelain d'uccle pullet that has started exhibiting some very generic symptoms in the past few days and was wondering if anyone could help possibly figure out what's going on before I spend the money on taking her to a vet.
Background:
Lives with her flock of 17. Currently have a heat plate in coop due to some recent cold temperatures, but the past few days things have warmed up here. It's been rainy, however. They have a covered run that is kept dry and clean, always access to clean water/food and ocassionally I nutridrench their water as well.
She is not laying yet. She is at the bottom of the pecking order for sure, but no one is overly mean to her - my chickens are pretty nice to each other and I've never had issues between hens. I do not have a rooster.
Symptoms:
Everyone else in my flock is happy and healthy.
Is she just struggling because of the weather? Stressed due to her low pecking order? Could something just be lodged in her throat and making her uncomfortable? Dealing with a generic virus that will run its course? Or is there something I'm missing?
This is all very generic but I appreciate any insight!
Background:
Lives with her flock of 17. Currently have a heat plate in coop due to some recent cold temperatures, but the past few days things have warmed up here. It's been rainy, however. They have a covered run that is kept dry and clean, always access to clean water/food and ocassionally I nutridrench their water as well.
She is not laying yet. She is at the bottom of the pecking order for sure, but no one is overly mean to her - my chickens are pretty nice to each other and I've never had issues between hens. I do not have a rooster.
Symptoms:
- Started a few days ago (3-4)
- Almost always puffed
- Tail down
- Somewhat lethargic but not overly, still comes out with the flock but will ocassionally puff up more and close her eyes. Eats treats and comes out to greet me when I walk over.
- Comb is not super bright red, I think it's a little pale, but she's also not laying yet either so it's hard to tell on her to be honest.
- Decreased appetite but eating a little
- Poop is normal
- Felt for an egg - not eggbound
- "Stretches" her neck ocassionally after she eats, but her crop is not hard, nor is it overly squishy. To be honest, it's been emptier than I'd like to to be by midday, hence her decreased appetite.
Everyone else in my flock is happy and healthy.
Is she just struggling because of the weather? Stressed due to her low pecking order? Could something just be lodged in her throat and making her uncomfortable? Dealing with a generic virus that will run its course? Or is there something I'm missing?
This is all very generic but I appreciate any insight!
