HELP! Hen acting strange

[ChickieChick11]

I have a 1 1/2 year old barred rock hen named Ziggy and she has been acting VERY lethargic since Thursday. She fluffs herself up and sits in the corner with her head and tail down and eyes shut. She is usually a very chatty bird but hasn’t been talking at all and I’m able to pick her up with one hand (she’s usually very flappy). She did not lay an egg yesterday or today. She seems to be drinking, but isn’t eating and she is refusing her favorite treats. I did my best to feel if there was an egg stuck but didn’t feel anything. I brought her into the garage yesterday and put her in a pen with another chicken to watch her and she stayed in the laundry room last night. The top of her comb is purple and I’m not sure if it’s just a little frostbite or something else. I also wormed her last night as a precaution in case that is what is causing her to act this way and added apple cider vinegar to her water. I’m worried and don’t have access to a vet but I was hoping someone might have suggestions for me! Thanks!

 

[nchls school]

I have a 1 1/2 year old barred rock hen named Ziggy and she has been acting VERY lethargic since Thursday. She fluffs herself up and sits in the corner with her head and tail down and eyes shut. She is usually a very chatty bird but hasn’t been talking at all and I’m able to pick her up with one hand (she’s usually very flappy). She did not lay an egg yesterday or today. She seems to be drinking, but isn’t eating and she is refusing her favorite treats. I did my best to feel if there was an egg stuck but didn’t feel anything. I brought her into the garage yesterday and put her in a pen with another chicken to watch her and she stayed in the laundry room last night. The top of her comb is purple and I’m not sure if it’s just a little frostbite or something else. I also wormed her last night as a precaution in case that is what is causing her to act this way and added apple cider vinegar to her water. I’m worried and don’t have access to a vet but I was hoping someone might have suggestions for me! Thanks!

Keep her warm. Consider using antibiotics and force feeding if she hasn't eaten for a long period.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have any pictures of her and her comb? Has she molted this year or does she look like she may be starting? She might have an egg stuck, so insert a finger inside her vent an inch or so to see if you feel anything. It won’t hurt also to give her a cacium tablet or Tums, or a pulverized boiled egg with the shell. I would bring her inside to watch her in a basket or dog crate.

Internal laying and other reproductive problems can be common at this age. Not much can be done for those things other than keep them comfortable, offer food and water, and try antibiotics which may or may not help.
Offer her a cup of chicken feed made runny with a lot of water. Cooked egg is also good. If you have Poultry NutriDrench or electrolytes, offer some of those. While you are checking her, feel of her crop to see if it is full, empty, puffy, doughy, or hard.

 

[ChickieChick11]

Keep her warm. Consider using antibiotics and force feeding if she hasn't eaten for a long period.

I’ve had the heat lamp on and she’s staying in the garage. What would you recommend feeding her? I don’t want to give her food that isn’t necessary or that won’t give her what she needs if that makes sense. Should I just mash up her food?

 

[Eggcessive]

Runny chicken feed plus cooked egg is good. I would not force feed, but instead hold it up to her beak or set it in front of her and tap the bowl. You can give the calcium or Tums orally or crushed into some egg or yogurt. Fluids are most important, and you can try dipping her beak if she won’t drink.

 

[ChickieChick11]

Runny chicken feed plus cooked egg is good. I would not force feed, but instead hold it up to her beak or set it in front of her and tap the bowl. You can give the calcium or Tums orally or crushed into some egg or yogurt. Fluids are most important, and you can try dipping her beak if she won’t drink.

thank you for your advice!
We brought her inside a couple hours ago because when I went into the garage to check on her she had brown fluid coming from her beak. I checked for an egg and didn’t feel anything but I soaked her in warm water just in case. She has stopped dripping fluid from her beak but I think she may have just run out and she can’t stand on her own or keep her eyes open. We crushed up a Tums as suggested in a little bit of yogurt and gave that to her. At this point I’m just watching her very closely.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Hi Chickiechic,
Did you check her crop to see what it feels like? It will need to be checked first thing in the morning also as it should be completely empty first thing before she eats or drinks anything.
The brown fluid that came out of her beak, did it smell? Is there a smell coming from her breath?
I'm wondering if she has sour crop.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree that she might have a crop problem if brown liquid came out of her beak. Sour crop may feel puffy like a balloon, and have a bad odor. Early it may smell sour, then can become rotten in late stages. It can be caused by long standing impacted crop, or it can happen when the crop is not functioning normally. That may happen in later stages of a reproductive disorders when swelling and pressure are put on the internal organs. I have never had good luck curing sour crop. If you suspect sour crop, try to get some Nystatin from the vet to give her. Some use antifungal creams or suppositories orally. Plain yogurt, egg, and runny foods are best to feed during crop problems.
Here are a couple of good articles about crop problems:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/digestive-problems/index.aspx

 

[ChickieChick11]

Thank you so much to everyone who replied. Unfortunately, she passed away last night in her sleep. Thank you again, you were all very helpful and your advice and experience were appreciated

 

[Cragg Klefor]

I'm so sorry