HELP.. chicken is skin and bones

[Sarasarasara222]

I have a chicken really light and bony as well but I think it’s because she was broody for a while and just got off the eggs recently though before she got broody she was limping a dn is still limping which is worrying. About your situation I would check for any infections maybe inside the vent because I know my chicken had an infection there which we could not see and all she drank was water and ate grass unfortunately we were too late but in short you should check for infections

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Oh shoot.
I’ve heard worming is hard on birds too. Scrambled egg and some electrolytes for her while she seems ill. Maybe going to have to wait on this second dose until she pulls up from this ...
I know one of the first things a vet would try is worming. That’s just what they do. Have you checked her over for Lice and mites? Maybe she’s anemic?
Hiding in the nest box not a good sign. Up to you here but there is also a fish antibiotic called fish-zole. It would treat any protazoan infection and fish mox for any bacterial infection. She’s a tricky one right now. Cancer will also waste away a bird. But her comb is so vibrant. I just don’t know.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Did you give just a pea sized amount ?

 

[lissalischicks]

Yes, just gave her a pea size amount. She is being so difficult!! She eats like a hog too! Her stool is a lot more solid. She just likes sitting around and isn't able to run as fast and has a hard time getting up and down. But if I bring out live mealworms, egg or tuna she tries to run FAST for the food! At least her appetite is good. Her comb is still nice and red too.

I checked her over and nothing I can see. Maybe it's the deworming process. I think i'm going to hold off the second treatment.

It was just so weird. She was doing so well until I dewormed her.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I think you’re doing well here. Give her a day or two to get past the worming. My birds have not had trouble with worming but they were at their usual weight.
For sure she has a strike on her with the weight and I’ve heard it’s not a nice process for them— the worming.

It could be that she’s a failure to thrive type of bird just not genetically geared to be healthy. It happens. But my fingers are crossed that she gets by all this and picks up speed with her weight again. Oh pepper, we’re rooting for you!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

How’s she doing Lissa ? Did she snap out of it?!

 

[lissalischicks]

Sorry didn't respond earlier... work has been hell!!!

She is a little better but she isn't as light on her feet and wobbles a bit when she runs fast or tries to go up a step. (she has to use her wings to help her.) I checked out her feet and there doesn't seem to be anything. She also still tends to sit around like she is tired very easily. Maybe it's because she is so underweight?? Her poop is a lot more solid now. I think maybe it was the molt that was so hard on her. I didn't get to weigh her recently I am debating on deworming.... Feel like pulling out my hair. Having chickens was suppose to be easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Sorry to hear she’s not peppy.

It could be that she has something underlying and the moult with its work on the immune system brought this on stronger.

I understand your debating the second round of safegaurd.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Lissa are you still doing a vitamin or water supplement?

Here’s what I use:

 

[lissalischicks]

Just thought I would give an update. After my last post about Pepper, I decided I would make sure she was doing okay and see where life took her. I didn't weight her anymore or try to pick her up because I thought she was getting stressed. Her limping got worse but diarrhea seemed to get better with time. I finally gave in and gave her a little aspirin and she perked up. When the other girls weren't around I fed her fatty stuff (peanuts, tuna, beef, chicken, seeds, etc) just to try to get her to again weight. She looked like she was doing very well but still limped and has a hard time going down steps. She still sits around a lot. Couldn't tell if she was gaining weight but her feathers were all beautifully in and the past few days has been happy talking/clucking A LOT

So yesterday, I walked by and she squatted!!!! She stopped squatting when she was molting and feeling bad but she started to squat yesterday!!! Hooray!!!!

Today I decided to weigh her. She usually runs away but didn't run away again and squatted. When I held her I could tell she had gained some weight. Also another good sign was ...before when I held her you could tell she was not happy. Today.... she was talking to me and almost singing. I got her on the scale and she is 4.13lbs!!!!!!!! I weighed her 5 times to be sure and when I was sure I cried (for joy) I don't know why she is limping... maybe a strain and she will get better hopefully. I saw her eating oyster shells today and yesterday so I am pretty sure she is getting ready to lay again.

All in all... I think she is over the hump and she is going to make it. I want to say thank you to everyone who helped and listened to my concerns. You guys are awesome!