Help, Found Chick Lying Down and being trampled

[blessedchickenmama7]

I went outside a bit ago and found one of my black Australorp hens, about 3 months old, lying in the pen and being walked on by the others (because she was lying near the food). She had her neck bent at a really odd angle and I at first thought she was dead. She was not panting, but she would only move slightly when the others walked all over her to get to the feeder because the knew what was coming. I picked her up and carried her inside, and she never attempted to move. I put her in the brooder box which still had bedding in from the last chicks who recently moved out. It is in the basement and had not been heated, so it was nice and cool. Within a few minutes, she sat up but did not stand. I offered her food and water and she ate a good bit and drank some, too. She is now slightly standing, slightly squatting. Her neck is fine and she moves it in all directions well. However, she is so puffed up (feathers) that it looks as if she has no neck. Her wings appear to be hanging a little low, but I think they are a little better than when I first brought her in.

Her crop feels empty (well, it did before she ate) if I am checking correctly. I can't tell that anything else is wrong. I thought maybe dehydration because it is very hot here today, but the others are fine... No one was panting and they all seemed completely normal except for her. She is not moving, just standing in one place now that she's up off her side. She seemed fine yesterday. Have not seen any poop. If she's pooped, it's covered up in the bedding and I've missed it... I can't help but think heat since she got up so soon after I brought her in. But their pen is completely shaded and it's probably only in the 80's in there...

Any ideas?

 

[CarlaRiggs]

Pick your hen up and check for warmth. Do her feet feel good and warm? Then her temperature is fine. Puffed up feathers often mean a cold chicken if the temperatures are cool.
She may not have eaten well (if at all) for the last several days. This is so hard to monitor.... you may want to keep her with just one other hen tonight if she seems to be feeling better. I would check to see that her droppings are normal.
Does she enjoy being around your children? Because chickens are so social, the Austrolorp may enjoy being in the same room as the family with an occasional friendly pat and a little treat. Keep the treats to a small handful of chicken feed, though. This will help her digestive system come back on board more fully with the necessary grit. You may want to give her some oatmeal before she goes to bed to help fill the crop a bit.

Carla

 

[blessedchickenmama7]

Thank you for the suggestions. I just went and checked on her and she is now standing up completely. Her wings still look a little low. I added some fresh food to her feeder thinking it may entice her to eat some more. It did. She's still puffed up some, but "smoothes out" when I pet her. She still not moving, just standing, but she did "talk" a tiny bit to me when I came near the brooder. I can't really watch her much closer because we had a bad storm and our basement flooded... yes, she was in there... but she didn't get wet so that's good.

I will go check her legs and see how they feel. Thank you again.

 

[chickenzoo]

You might want to give her some Vitamins/Electralights etc. If she's not feeling well she might need the extra boost.

 

[lurky]

I have a hen that is very sensitive to the heat. She has been very lethargic lately. Her wings and tail are droopy. But when it cools down, she snaps out of it. I also gave her some yogurt and it perked her up in the day when she was having troubles. I have heard that she will probably always be like this in the heat.

Good Luck, Wendy

 

[blessedchickenmama7]

Update:

Chickie is still alive, but obviously not well. I left the top off the brooder all day and she has not attempted to get out. She is standing in one spot. Her wings are back up completely today though. She is still eating well and drinking. But still concerned because she feels so skinny and is not well. That's obvious. No other symptoms other than the standing around, today she looks completely normal again...

I think she would be happier in with the other chickens, but I am not sure she can defend herself and am afraid to try it...

I thought yesterday she would enjoy the peace and quiet, but tonight I think I'll bring her upstairs and see if all the hubub of the kids and TV make her feel a little better. We are in the middle of moving, so I can't do much more intense nursing besides electrolytes and wormer...