Groggy 3yo White Leghorn Hen

[JustLook]

Green Bean has been out of it for a week now. Her four flock mates and she just turned three and they are feisty and laying prolifically but lately Green Bean has been groggy and sluggish as if sick but the others are just fine. Her comb shrunk. She eats and drinks but sometimes but not every night sleeps down in the nest box area where it’s dark instead of up on the roost with the rest.

Any ideas? None of them are very cuddly but she can’t help herself right now. I have her isolated today but that just might make her sad.

Not sure if it’s because she’s too lazy to clean herself or if it’s something GI related but her butt was kinda messy suggesting maybe some kind of diarrhea. Not sure what it could be but I put a bit of apple cider vinegar in her water.

Anything else I can try? She won’t say what her problem is but she is still eating and drinking

Michael

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you feel of her crop and see if it seems enlarged, full and firm or puffy soft. Then again first thing in the morning when her crop should be empty and flat, tell us what it feels like. A picture of her poop might be helpful. If you can give her some Poultry NutriDrench orally, the electrolytes and vitamins might give a boost. Check her belly and vent for any signs of lice or mites. She could have some sort of reproductive issue or infection. Usually a comb becomes pale when they stop laying, are molting, or anemic from mites.

 

[JustLook]

Can you feel of her crop and see if it seems enlarged, full and firm or puffy soft. Then again first thing in the morning when her crop should be empty and flat, tell us what it feels like. A picture of her poop might be helpful. If you can give her some Poultry NutriDrench orally, the electrolytes and vitamins might give a boost. Check her belly and vent for any signs of lice or mites. She could have some sort of reproductive issue or infection. Usually a comb becomes pale when they stop laying, are molting, or anemic from mites.

Thanks I have some homework obviously. Her crop was kinda empty this afternoon but I saw her eat this morning. She did get better and moved around a bit later in the day. Thanks so much.

Ummmm. This is my first flock and my first sick chicken. How often does this sort of thing happen and do they ever bounce back when down like this for more than a week? I am fully prepared to put her down if she is simply suffering or putting the other four at risk in some way.

The other four are fine and I only isolate her for part of the day to make sure she is getting enough water and food but she seems to really miss her flock mates and it puts her in a down mood it seems when I separate her.

 

[Eggcessive]

I usually keep a sick chicken in with their flock for comfort, unless they are trying to peck her. In that case a wire dog crate with food and water inside the coop or run may be a way to separate her but still keep her with them.