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

[Cheryl Martin]

My kids gave me this chicken as a Christmas gift. She is a barred rock. 1-2 years old. She came from a farm but I don't know much more about her.

It was nighttime and she was kinda huddled down with her eyes closed like she was sleeping when we pulled her out of the box so I didn't think much of it. The problem was the entire next day, she stayed that way. See picture of her - this is how she sits all day long. Very little movement, not opening her eyes, just sitting. I brought her inside last night and put her in a crate with some pine shavings. Still the same all day. I've researched the best I could. Checked her crop, seemed empty (in comparison to my other chickens), she has only pooped one little bit that has a blob of white and then a little bit of dark grey. Didn't see any worms. I gave her some water, had to put a little on her beak to get her to drink but she finally did, still not opening her eyes. She would dunk her head up to the front of her comb to drink. I wet some chicken food and made a mush. After touching it to her beak, she ate a little. Again, kinda twisting her head sideways down into the bowl, not pecking like normal but still not opening her eyes. The food and water seemed to help her have a little more energy but she is still not moving much at all. She occasionally turns her head and scratches or picks at her feathers like she is grooming herself or puffs up her feathers and shakes, but that's it. Probably not 20 steps all day. She has pooped small amounts a few more times through the day. If she gets frightened, she will open her eyes for a few seconds but doesn't keep them open. When she opens her eyes, I tried putting my hand in front of her and she moves her head around a little bit but not much. I have no idea about her history. I checked the crop and tried to check her abdomen. She seems thin (but doesn't look thin, she's very fluffy). Didn't feel any bulges or hard spots in her abdomen or crop, just bones. She has not layed any eggs since I got her on Saturday night. Any idea what else I should try? I thought I would try to add some electrolytes to her water tomorrow and maybe a dewormer (but just not sure about that since she is acting so punie). Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is hard to know where to start, but giving her 2-3 ml of Poultry NutriDrench or Poultry Cell vitamins orally each day, a drop at a time would be good, followed by fluids, offering some bits of chopped egg, tuna, or liver, in addition to the moistened chicken feed.

She may have been stressed with the move, or with her new setting. I would watch her droppings, check her crop to feel if it is empty, full, soft, firm, or puffy like a balloon. It is found on her upper right chest under her neck. The crop should feel empty first thing in the morning, and if she has eaten food, gradually fill up until bedtime. A roost is where most chickens feel comfortable sleeping at night. A large wire dog crate can be a good temporary home. Pine shavings for bedding, and sometimes a wooden dowel for a roost will fit in there. Are you keeping her outside in a coop?

She may be suffering from coccidiosis if she is sleepy, having runny poops, and not eating. She also may have been without food and water prior to her arrival, becoming weak.

Chickens are not meant to be by themselves, but do better in pairs or in a flock. Mirrors can help, and she may perk up if you let her out and walk around the yard with her.

I would ask questions about where she came from, and possibly check with the previous owner on age, and any other details.

 

[Cheryl Martin]

Thank you so much for the quick response. I will try some of those things to see if it helps. The crop is empty I think. I checked it first thing this morning before giving her any food and didn't feel anything. I know on my normal, healthy chickens it seems to feel like a balloon in there during the day. I checked with the farmer and he said he uses DE or dandelion on their food (?) I've not seen that in any of my research. Thanks again for your feedback.

 

[AmazingRachel]

I've had that happen to a couple of my pullets. Standing up, puffed up, drooped head, not moving, and eyes closed. In short, a typical sick chicken.
I strongly suspected coccidiosis with mine and so I treated them with Corid in their water and they seemed to get better and totally recovered. As I said, I'm not sure if it was coccidiosis.

The best course of action would be to isolate and give vitamin/electrolyte/probiotics (i use this) and hope for the best.

 

[junebuggena]

Can you post a full body pic of her?

 

[Cheryl Martin]

Thank you so much! I love this site and you are right, so much useful information. Thanks for the tip about

Can you post a full body pic of her?

I'll try to get a better picture of her tomorrow. That picture shows her eyes and how she scrunches down. But I'll send a full body tomorrow. Thank you.

 

[Cheryl Martin]

I've had that happen to a couple of my pullets. Standing up, puffed up, drooped head, not moving, and eyes closed. In short, a typical sick chicken.
I strongly suspected coccidiosis with mine and so I treated them with Corid in their water and they seemed to get better and totally recovered. As I said, I'm not sure if it was coccidiosis.

The best course of action would be to isolate and give vitamin/electrolyte/probiotics (i use this) and hope for the best.

OK, I'll check on that too.

 

[Peckadoodle]

Chickens can have difficulty with change, especially when they leave their friends/flock behind. Right now your hen is scared of new surroundings and new people. Be sure to give her a warm, quiet place until she gets use to her new family. The full body pictures may help with diagnosing possible health problems. It is great to have a whole lot of BYC experience at your fingertips.

 

[micstrachan]

I agree stress from the relocation might be exacerbating an underlying issue. Has she started dropping feathers? I think parasites (internal or external) are a possibility. Her comb is faded. Do you know yet if she is laying? She could be heading into molt. Do you have access to live meal worms? She might enjoy that as a treat. I agree with a short, supervised outdoor excursion if possible, as long as there’s no cross exposure with your existing flock. I also notice her comb looks a bit like it’s been pecked. She may have been lower in the pecking order in her former home. Can you check how much muscle is on her breast? Is her keel bone pronounced? She may have been bullied away from her feed. Good luck with your new girl!

 

[Cheryl Martin]

I agree stress from the relocation might be exacerbating an underlying issue. Has she started dropping feathers? I think parasites (internal or external) are a possibility. Her comb is faded. Do you know yet if she is laying? She could be heading into molt. Do you have access to live meal worms? She might enjoy that as a treat. I agree with a short, supervised outdoor excursion if possible, as long as there’s no cross exposure with your existing flock. I also notice her comb looks a bit like it’s been pecked. She may have been lower in the pecking order in her former home. Can you check how much muscle is on her breast? Is her keel bone pronounced? She may have been bullied away from her feed. Good luck with your new girl!

Thanks so much for all the information. I will check on those things. I don't know her history and the farmer said he had too many to know if she has been laying. I don't have live meal worm, just dried. I'll give it all a shot and hope for the best. Thanks again.