Help! Chicken is weak, something stuck?

[totallycity]

I have a Partridge Rock, a little over 1 year.
Totally free range, been laying fine until...
One of my ladies named Princess is acting strange.

She was in the house about 3 days ago & seemed to be panting & pacing back & forth, kept opening her mouth & sticking out her tounge. She was in there to lay, but acting restless & never settled down.
Later that evening she left the laying house, but bed down outside the gate.
Hubby picked her up & put her with the others, she complied.
The next morning she seemed still strange, we have been watching her, but she will walk a few steps and then just stand there (seems a little disoriented) and then just plop down. She will eat whatever is around her, seems to have a good appetite.
However, she will only walk about 10 steps and then just stand there and get weak and plop down again.
Today is the 3rd day and she's not improving.

We checked her legs and they feel sound. She didn't complain when we examined to indicate anything was hurt or in pain.
She still is opening & closing her mouth some as if something is stuck.
Hubby says thought "feels" like something is hard, but I don't think that he compared it to another lady.

It's the weak and sitting all the time that bothers me.

"Bruster Rooster" is picking on her to get up & join the others, but she doesn't care. She just sits there sometimes for hours. Then up she'll go a few steps and down again.
It's a conscience effort to sit down, it's not like fainting or anything.
She just seems tired and weak.

Another note I saw today that I have a "nude" egg in the house in a spot that she usually likes to lay in. I don't know if it's her, but unless I seperate her into a cage I can't be sure that she is drinking well or laying properly.

Thoughts????

 

[Judy]

Has she ever been wormed? Worms would be my first guess. I believe most any vet will do a fecal float for you.

No expert here, though.

 

[TXchick]

I just posted what I think might be a similar problem. I had one awhile back that did more of what you are describing. Just sitting there all alone. Not eating or drinking. Everything I read seemed to point to some sort of egg problem internally. Like laying internally, or being egg bound (the egg won't come out). I was going to try and investigate (as i have seen recommended) by putting a gloved, lubricated finger gently in the vent and feeling for an egg. Sadly, as my mother in law was holdling her and before I actually did anything, she just died. It was awful. I don't want to scare you, but it could be something like that. Here is an interesting Q&A from poultry help. Is she pooping? If she is, is it just the squirts?

http://www.poultryhelp.com/eggbound.html

Mine current one is all hunched over but when she stands it is more like a duck than chicken. I was going to try and feel for an egg when a tiny one popped out as she walked toward me. but she still looks strange. good luck with your girl. I did feel three of the other girls for comparison. You may need to send your husband back out to check all that out

 

[Renee]

Perhaps you should separate her from the others and keep her in a warm dark place to observe how much she is eating, drinking, and if she is pooping.

You can give her 50/50 Pedialyte and water to make sure she is hydrated.

Have you checked her over for lice, mites, or injuries?

I hope she gets better.