Got a chicken and it's acting sick and I'm a newbie. Advise please?

[Cheryl Martin]

Wednesday morning update: Thank you to everyone who responded with such helpful information. This morning she has a little more energy, still doesn't open her eyes much. I made her a little electrolyte mix of water, sugar, baking soda and salt. She took a few sips of that but not much. Offered her some dry food. She acted like she was smelling it but wouldn't eat. I mixed the electrolyte water into the food and made a mush and she loved it. She ate a good bit on that (all with her eyes closed). So hopefully that will get her some energy. Still little poops but at least she's pooping. I will post some updates later.

The farmer said he uses DE and dandelion on their food for the worming. I have no idea what that means and haven't been able to find any posts of anyone using that. Does that mean she has been dewormed or is that a preventative? Anyone have ideas on that?

Thanks again to everyone for the time.

 

[TRAVIS KELLEY]

Wednesday morning update: Thank you to everyone who responded with such helpful information. This morning she has a little more energy, still doesn't open her eyes much. I made her a little electrolyte mix of water, sugar, baking soda and salt. She took a few sips of that but not much. Offered her some dry food. She acted like she was smelling it but wouldn't eat. I mixed the electrolyte water into the food and made a mush and she loved it. She ate a good bit on that (all with her eyes closed). So hopefully that will get her some energy. Still little poops but at least she's pooping. I will post some updates later.

The farmer said he uses DE and dandelion on their food for the worming. I have no idea what that means and haven't been able to find any posts of anyone using that. Does that mean she has been dewormed or is that a preventative? Anyone have ideas on that?

Thanks again to everyone for the time.

DE is Diatomaceous Earth, basically, it's ground up diatoms (fossils) which have microscopic sharp edges which can penetrate the exoskeleton of parasites thereby killing them, yet it is too small to be harmful to humans unless you inhale a bunch. I use it on my garden, chickens, in the house, mix it in water and drink it daily (food grade). It will kill most intestinal parasites in any creature which ingests it, including you. I order mine in 10lb bags from diatomaceousearth.com

ETA: I always warn people against buying adult chickens from someone they don't know. This is one of the ways diseases like coryza can spread so rapidly and you can lose an entire flock within a week or two. If you didn't know the farmer and you have other chickens then I'm going to make a suggestion which will probably be upsetting to some, but get rid of the chicken for the sake of your flock and then use a bleach solution on anything that chicken has touched. All it takes is having a bit of something infectious on a muck boot and walking into your coop and sealing their fate without ever having introduced the sick chicken to them.

 

[Cheryl Martin]

DE is Diatomaceous Earth, basically, it's ground up diatoms (fossils) which have microscopic sharp edges which can penetrate the exoskeleton of parasites thereby killing them, yet it is too small to be harmful to humans unless you inhale a bunch. I use it on my garden, chickens, in the house, mix it in water and drink it daily (food grade). It will kill most intestinal parasites in any creature which ingests it, including you. I order mine in 10lb bags from diatomaceousearth.com

ETA: I always warn people against buying adult chickens from someone they don't know. This is one of the ways diseases like coryza can spread so rapidly and you can lose an entire flock within a week or two. If you didn't know the farmer and you have other chickens then I'm going to make a suggestion which will probably be upsetting to some, but get rid of the chicken for the sake of your flock and then use a bleach solution on anything that chicken has touched. All it takes is having a bit of something infectious on a muck boot and walking into your coop and sealing their fate without ever having introduced the sick chicken to them.

Thanks Travis. I completely understand what you are saying about getting rid of her. The farmer said he would take her back, but I don't have the heart. I think I will see if I can get her well while in quarantine and then see what happens. She is in my basement in a crate so there isn't any chance of cross contamination between her and the flock. I have definitely learned from this experience about introducing new girls to the family.

I was curious about the DE in their food as a treatment for worms. I have always used it in my coop on the ground but never knew it could be used in their food. Any suggestions on dosage or frequency?

 

[TRAVIS KELLEY]

Thanks Travis. I completely understand what you are saying about getting rid of her. The farmer said he would take her back, but I don't have the heart. I think I will see if I can get her well while in quarantine and then see what happens. She is in my basement in a crate so there isn't any chance of cross contamination between her and the flock. I have definitely learned from this experience about introducing new girls to the family.

I was curious about the DE in their food as a treatment for worms. I have always used it in my coop on the ground but never knew it could be used in their food. Any suggestions on dosage or frequency?

This from another post on here, but this is a good DE to feed ratio recommended in this reply, and you may be able to glean some other info from the thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...feed-my-chickens.526706/page-13#post-17525120

 

[Cheryl Martin]

This from another post on here, but this is a good DE to feed ratio recommended in this reply, and you may be able to glean some other info from the thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...feed-my-chickens.526706/page-13#post-17525120

Thanks!!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would like to point out that DE is not effective against worms or their larvae. It is useless when it becomes wet inside the body. DE can be harmful if chickens or people get it in their lungs, and because of that I don’t recommend it’s use.

If you would like to use an effective wormer, either Valbazen or fenbendazole (SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer or the equine paste, Panacur) will treat most chicken worms. A fecal float performed by a vet can identify any worms or coccidiosis. Corid is good to use for treatment of coccidiosis. Dosage is 1 1/2 tsp of Corid powder per gallon of water for 5 days.

 

[TRAVIS KELLEY]

I would like to point out that DE is not effective against worms or their larvae. It is useless when it becomes wet inside the body. DE can be harmful if chickens or people get it in their lungs, and because of that I don’t recommend it’s use.

Sources? I think you may be slightly misinformed about the use of DE.

 

[TRAVIS KELLEY]

A study published in the Oxford Journal of Poultry Science on the use of DE and the results. I think many would do well to read the application and results.
https://academic.oup.com/ps/article/90/7/1416/1543647

 

[rebrascora]

Aside from your bird looking and acting sick, I'm concerned you may also have acquired a cockerel and not a pullet. The lighter barring pattern suggests male and I think I see pointed hackle feathers.
I would operate a very strict quarantine between your existing flock and this bird. Adult and particularly adolescent birds that are stressed are at risk of viral attack that could spread to the rest of your flock. I appreciate this was a well meaning xmas gift but could turn out to be a Trojan horse!
Keeping a sick bird warm is the first and most important step, especially if they are underweight and lacking body mass. A heating pad would be useful or if not available, then a heat lamp. Keeping it hydrated with water and a good quality vitamin supplement like Nutri Drench, would be the next step, then stick with moistened food and high protein treats. The bird is under stress and may have underlying health issues but time will tell

 

[Cheryl Martin]

Thursday Update: She is up and moving a little more, but still keeps her eyes closed. She eats when I hold it in front of her, same for water. I've been deliberately feeding her at least 3 times a day and added some electrolyte to water and food mush. Pooping has increased but still little bits. Like diarrhea first thing this morning but it has solidified back to the dark grey and white. She hasn't layed. Don't know that I expect her to, but she just hasn't. I don't know if that is a side effect of just being so weak or sickly? She seems to be a little more "alive" but still doesn't move around more than a step or two. She seems to wiggle her head around when she eats like she is scratching or rubbing her face on herself. I'll attach a video of her eating. I appreciate everyone who is following, posting, and helping me with this girl.