Head Flicking & Looking Lethargic

[ChookieG]

Hey guys, I just noticed one of my hens is exhibiting head flicking and she's closing her eyes constantly. She didn't even rush for the vegies when I threw it into the run. She was behaving fine yesterday. She's had diarrhea for months now and I haven't been able to resolve that issue either. She's been laying eggs very inconsistently for the past month as well - sometimes she'll go without laying for 2-3 days but more often she'll lay every second day. She hasn't laid for the past 3 days and I've only noticed the flicking today.

Just so you know I bought my hens about a year back and they have been giving me problems since - bad breeder. Do you think it may be Marek's or some other infectious illness? I'm thinking of isolating her ASAP if it is infectious so that she doesn't spread it to other chickens.

 

[azygous]

Head flicking may indicate runny eyes from a respiratory illness or ear infection. Inspect both for discharges. Both should normally be clean and clear.

The closed eyes means she is feeling sick. What does her poop look like? Has she had any egg quality issues?

 

[ChookieG]

Head flicking may indicate runny eyes from a respiratory illness or ear infection. Inspect both for discharges. Both should normally be clean and clear.

The closed eyes means she is feeling sick. What does her poop look like? Has she had any egg quality issues?

Thanks for your reply. She's not exhibiting any discharges. She's been diarrheaing for months - very watery. She hasn't been laying eggs for 4 days now and most often her eggs are speckled.