Help! Lethargic Easter egger pullet

[natemoore1986]

My new flock is doing okay. The three year old BLS is mean to everyone. The two 19 week old cuckoo marans and two buff orpingtons are mean to the three 11 week old Easter egger pullets and the one EE rooster (surprise!). The EEs stick together and are not mean to anyone.

I do have a coop within a coop to give the EEs a place to get away from the meanies. They have their own water and food in there too. Overall, the transition is going smoothly. Every once in awhile I'll walk up to see all nine of them together just laying in the dirt, chillin'.

Yesterday, I noticed one of my EE pullets was acting sick. She's lethargic as if she's very sleepy, and she tends to keep her left eye closed. Other than that, she looks fine.

Here are some pictures. These were taken this morning at 9:45 a.m. It's pretty hot right now here in NW Florida, but when the temperature climbs above 90, I'll put on a fan and a mister.



What should I do? I've got some antibiotics (oxytetracyclene) on hand. Should I start treating the flock?

Also something to note is that this pullet tries to drink from the poultry nipples, but acts as if she doesn't have the energy to raise her head up high enough.

Thanks,
Nate

 

[nchls school]

My new flock is doing okay. The three year old BLS is mean to everyone. The two 19 week old cuckoo marans and two buff orpingtons are mean to the three 11 week old Easter egger pullets and the one EE rooster (surprise!). The EEs stick together and are not mean to anyone. I do have a coop within a coop to give the EEs a place to get away from the meanies. They have their own water and food in there too. Overall, the transition is going smoothly. Every once in awhile I'll walk up to see all nine of them together just laying in the dirt, chillin'. Yesterday, I noticed one of my EE pullets was acting sick. She's lethargic as if she's very sleepy, and she tends to keep her left eye closed. Other than that, she looks fine. Here are some pictures. These were taken this morning at 9:45 a.m. It's pretty hot right now here in NW Florida, but when the temperature climbs above 90, I'll put on a fan and a mister. What should I do? I've got some antibiotics (oxytetracyclene) on hand. Should I start treating the flock? Also something to note is that this pullet tries to drink from the poultry nipples, but acts as if she doesn't have the energy to raise her head up high enough. Thanks, Nate

Keep her separate from the rest. If her breathing and fecal matter are normal I would consider other options than antibiotics. I believe the antibiotics you have are for respiratory and intestinal infections and if breathing and poop are normal these infections are not indicated. Hopefully other group members will reply and give you more assistance than I.

 

[SweetJoy7]

Hello. You could give her Nutri-Drench for poultry to boost her energy. Apple cider vinegar in her water might help her, and tumeric and dried oregano in her/their food is good for overall health. Hope she gets better.

 

[natemoore1986]

Breathing sounds normal. I guess I'd be hearing some scratchiness or popping? Poop is also normal, as far as I know. Pretty solid. Not runny at all.

I've got her in my workshop for now. I keep the A/C at 80 degrees, so hopefully the relief from the heat and humidity will help.

Here's what she's doing in my workshop:

 

[nchls school]

With luck, maybe all that is wrong is stress from the heat and humidity. Good luck.

 

[natemoore1986]

Update: I went to work late so that I could attend to her. She stayed in the same spot all day. I brought her food over to her and she ate some. I got her a big pan of water and she drank some, too. Eyes look good. No weird poop.

It's almost as if she has narcolepsy.

All the other chickens are doing fine in the heat.

Is there anything other than grower/starter that I should be feeding her?

 

[natemoore1986]

Wonder if this could be an impacted or soured crop?

 

[nchls school]

Update:  I went to work late so that I could attend to her.  She stayed in the same spot all day.  I brought her food over to her and she ate some.  I got her a big pan of water and she drank some, too.  Eyes look good.  No weird poop.

It's almost as if she has narcolepsy.

All the other chickens are doing fine in the heat.

Is there anything other than grower/starter that I should be feeding her?

I believe a variety of foods is healthy. The biggest part of my chickens diet is growing mash; some layer mash now that the older hens are laying eggs again. They get the seed leftovers from the parrots/cockatiels/finches. They get a lot of greens from the garden. I periodically give them sod; dirt, roots, worms and all. My wife hard boils egg and that is mashed up with the shells and fed. Any appropriate table scraps are fed as well. I have not had a sick bird in years, other than the hen that has seizures (not dietary), and I hope it stays that way-knock on wood.

 

[natemoore1986]

Well, this morning she's back to normal. Good appetite. Curiosity about her surroundings (my workshop). Pecking, scratching, exploring, etc. Plenty of strength to wrestle her way free from my clutches.

I think she was just overheated. I'll monitor her closely.

 

[nchls school]

Well, this morning she's back to normal.  Good appetite.  Curiosity about her surroundings (my workshop).  Pecking, scratching, exploring, etc.  Plenty of strength to wrestle her way free from my clutches.

I think she was just overheated.  I'll monitor her closely.

That is great news. Glad that everything is well.