Help! Bantam is sick! Very lethargic and no appetite!

[FuzzyCritters]

I found my 3.5 month old bantam cochin just lying down in his pen with his eyes closed, not moving. I thought he was dead because he was so still. He would just let the other bantams peck him with no response. I picked him up, and he just flopped down again. I took him to the barn to try to see if he would accept food and water, but he has no appetite at all. He just sat in my arm, very still, when normally he hates getting handled.
I gave him some nutri-drench, and mixed up a mash for him to eat in case he wants something later, and put him in a pet crate. What is wrong with him? Please help!

 

[azygous]

If your description of this cockerel is accurate, he is likely close to death. There really isn't much you can do for a chicken that is unresponsive unless you want to try forcing some fluids down his throat.

Realistically, we can't tell you want's wrong with your chicken. It could be anything from an avian virus to worms. I recently lost two chickens that pecked at a poisonous caterpillar. I've also lost chickens to an avian virus that caused cancer tumors. Insecticide exposure can kill a chicken quickly. Eating an insect that is carrying bacteria can sicken and kill a chicken in less than 24 hours. A yard machine leaking fluids onto the ground can contaminate grit that a chicken picks up and make them very sick.

One thing you can do is if this chicken dies is to send his body to a lab for a necropsy. That will tell you what her died from. It could have consequences for the rest of the flock.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your cockerel. I would try to hand feed him some bits of scrambled egg, tuna, wet chicken feed and get him to drink water? Can he stand at all or move both legs or wings? What do his poops look like? Dehydration, heatstroke, coccidiosis or Mareks could be possible. As @azygous said, it is hard to know the problem, but giving water and food are the most you can do. Contact your state poultry vet for a necropsy and testing if he should not live. The body must be kept cold, but not frozen and double wrapped in plastic bags. Here is a list of state poultry labs and some info:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm