Hello :)

[rozee123]

Hi everyone, I am new to backyard chickens. I don't know if I am posting this in the right place but I was wondering if anyone can help me. I have a silkie hen who is about 11 months old roughly, this morning I have noticed she seems lathargic and seems like she is 'dozing off' in the coop. She is eating and drinking ok, she seems very slow and sluggish when moving. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry about your hen, you might want to post in the Emergencies forum about her https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures Give her a good examination to see if you can find anything.
Is she sitting in a nesting box or in one spot and not wanting to move, fluffing up and hissing at you if you disturb her? Silkies are very prone to going broody (wanting to sit on eggs to hatch them) and she could also be doing this.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Welcome to BYC!

I am sorry to hear about your hen!

 

[rozee123]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry about your hen, you might want to post in the Emergencies forum about her https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures Give her a good examination to see if you can find anything.
Is she sitting in a nesting box or in one spot and not wanting to move, fluffing up and hissing at you if you disturb her? Silkies are very prone to going broody (wanting to sit on eggs to hatch them) and she could also be doing this.

Thank you for getting back to me I have checked her over and she seems fine apart from being lathargic and a bit dopey and almost seem like she trips up now and again. I am new to chickens but I checked her nose and eyes and they look fine, her vent looks clear ( however I did clean a little poo caught on feathers ) normally she is very quick and not keen to let me pick her up, however she allowed me to pick her up, check her over and even started to fall asleep whilst doing so :/ she is still eating and drinking. X

 

[drumstick diva]

Have you checked her over well for mites/lice? Has she ever been wormed? When birds suddenly allow you to pick them up or catch them, I always wonder what is bothering them. Silkies have so much fluff, they often look wider than they really are. When you put hands on her - does she feel substantial, or very thin?

 

[rozee123]

Hello thanks for reply. I have the worming pellets but have not done them yet so that's something I will need to do. I use the mite spray everytime I clean their coop but have not powdered the girls yet. I'm not an expert but when I held her I can feel her breastbone (if I'm correct- the bone underneath?) when I hold my other silkies I can feel theirs too though, they eat really well though and are spoiled if anything?? X

 

[rozee123]

Thank you for your help. I took her to the vets today as she was not looking good at all. She was PTS the vet found a mass which she suspected a tumour and said she was a very poorly girl, but she said she was well looked after, no mites, eyes nose and vent were all ok and if it was an illness they wouldn't have been etc. Very upsetting day for me. X

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

I'm so sorry that it's been a bad day for you and your hen!

I can't offer any better advice than your vet. But I can say I truly hope your hen gets better!

 

[rozee123]

[COLOR=333333]Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.[/COLOR]

I'm so sorry that it's been a bad day for you and your hen!  I can't offer any better advice than your vet. But I can say I truly hope your hen gets better!

Hi thank you, she was put to sleep unfortunately, heartbroken she was a very poorly little girl the vet said, I'm so sad but pleased that I gave her a loving home and that she was spoilt!! Thank u for your message