Generically sick chicken - help?

[izopsitos]

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:

• 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!

 

[cavemanrich]

You are doing everything correct. Do your chickens have access to grit?? if you are feeding them things like scratch??
What are the treats you are offering?
Appears your other 16 are fine. So this may be something that is just isolated to the one hen.. and there is not much that can be done.
Avian vets, are scarce,, expensive,, and there is no guarantee they can save your hen.
I am hoping your hen shakes whatever she is going thru.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[izopsitos]

You are doing everything correct. Do your chickens have access to grit?? if you are feeding them things like scratch??
What are the treats you are offering?
Appears your other 16 are fine. So this may be something that is just isolated to the one hen.. and there is not much that can be done.
Avian vets, are scarce,, expensive,, and there is no guarantee they can save your hen.
I am hoping your hen shakes whatever she is going thru.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Thanks for your answer! And Yep they get scratch and have free access to grit and oyster shell as well.

I’ve moved her inside and I’m trying to get her to eat a bit more. I recently switched foods to a full feather and plume feed since I have multiple molting birds, so I’m wondering if she doesn’t like it and hasn’t been eating, since she will eat treats and eggs I offer but not the food.

Would it be harmful to proactively treat for cocci with corid in waterers?

 

[Debbie292d]

Thanks for your answer! And Yep they get scratch and have free access to grit and oyster shell as well.

I’ve moved her inside and I’m trying to get her to eat a bit more. I recently switched foods to a full feather and plume feed since I have multiple molting birds, so I’m wondering if she doesn’t like it and hasn’t been eating, since she will eat treats and eggs I offer but not the food.

Would it be harmful to proactively treat for cocci with corid in waterers?

Corid doesn't cause any harm at all, but it does use up their thiamine (B1), so hold off on the Nutri-Drench until the treatment is done. Then give it again.

Try making her a mash by wetting some feed in a dish. Most love it that way. Scrambled eggs are also a good high-protein and healthy treat.