Help chicken puffed up feathers, head shaking, and being solitary

[4thechicks]

My 17 week old Rhodie x Sussex is behaving strange. This was our most confident bird, she was first to venture outside when we first let them out of their house, and always came running up first for her corn in the afternoon.

She is now not mixing with the rest and has puffed up her feathers, and is shaking her head fairly frequently.

She eats layers pellets and mixed corn. We have seen her eating and drinking.

We have checked her all over and cant see anything, no bubbles or froth around eyes or mouth, no injuries, no wheezing.

Have not noticed anything strange with poo.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as we are new to chickens and would have to travel a distance to get to a vet.

 

[patyrdz]

Hmmm I don't know what it could be! HAve you checked her for gapeworm? That is the only thing I can think of. Unless.... she has something stuck in her throat?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Check Rimshoes medical page for clues.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=15239

 

[4hooves&featheredfriends]

I have impacted crop/sour crop on my mind after my recent adventure.

 

[LynneP]

I'm thinking crop too, and a little olive oil offered may be enough with some gentle massage to get it moved, and about 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar/gal in the water (not in galvanized waterer though). Watch her carefully in the following hours to see how she responds. Birds that permit gentle handling can often be brought back to normal swiftly.

 

[4thechicks]

thanks everyone for your help, have tried the olive oil.

Will let you know how she gets on.

 

[4thechicks]

Poppy is still holding on in there, not much difference today, but not any worse, i will keep on trying.

 

[77horses]

mmm...Not sure.

Hope someone else can chime in with good advice!

P.S.

 

[LynneP]

How is she today? You should know by now if crop is engorged....working on one myself since last night, making some progress.
Nothing you have done is harmful ( all my gals like oil and apple cider vinegar).

Any other signs or clues?

Occasionally if a bird is slightly deficient in vitamins and minerals you will get odd neurological behaviors. Do you need the corn at this time of year? Might be preventing her from getting correct balance in her feed.

 

[4thechicks]

she does feel a little swollen, i will keeping on trying, but fear i am not doing it correctly.

Got in touch with breeder and i am able to take her there tomorrow.