Help! Sick chicken.

[Leigti]

Wow, I'm not sure what I did there but I hope you can decipher it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've never had a hen go broody. She was only in that nesting box for a couple hours as far as I know. She didn't growl or anything. Tonight she's eating out of my hand, she's eating her regular food as well as some mealworms and sunflower seeds and a grape and she's drinking water So do you think it safe for me to put her back with the others tomorrow? I thought I would do it after work when I have time to observe for a while.

If she seems to be acting normal, eating/drinking, then let her back with the flock and see how it goes.

Observing them for a while is a good idea. See if she is being kept away from food/treats by another chicken, sometimes this does happen. Also watch them when they go to bed, sometimes there can be a lot of drama, this is the time that they can be bullied as well.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Leigti]

So far no squabbles or anything. She just went under a bush and is taking a dust bath. Feathers are coming out by the handfuls now. Is it common for chickens to get very weak and lethargic before they mold? I hope there's nothing else wrong with her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So far no squabbles or anything. She just went under a bush and is taking a dust bath. Feathers are coming out by the handfuls now. Is it common for chickens to get very weak and lethargic before they mold? I hope there's nothing else wrong with her.

Molting is hard on them. It should not cause weakness and lethargy, so if you see this again, then you will need to investigate further. Taking a fecal sample to your vet for a fecal float to detect any type of internal parasites (worms) would be in order.

Mine are molting at various stages and I have one girl that has been isolating herself a bit. She still eats/drinks, but doesn't want anyone near her.She just acts a bit "off", but since I know (hopefully) this is the cause, I will just monitor her. Poor thing looks miserable and it seems overnight her whole back is just covered in pin feathers.

You feed a grower feed, so they should be getting enough protein. Just keep an eye on her, you may want to give her some extra TLC over the next week or so, giving her a little extra vitamins in her water - or you can add the vitamins to the flocks water a couple of times a week, this won't hurt and if others are molting, then they may benefit as well.

 

[Armymomx3]

I have only had chickens for 1 month so I am no expert! However a few days ago I noticed my chicken, Adele, acting weird. She would lift her leg and shiver. She was stand-offish and quiet. She was drinking lots but something just seems wrong.... then she started losing feathers by the handful. She seems to be doing fine now. She will not win any beauty pageants but she seems to be holding her own and a bit more spunky. Hope yours continues to get better

 

[Leigti]

I have only had chickens for 1 month so I am no expert! However a few days ago I noticed my chicken, Adele, acting weird. She would lift her leg and shiver. She was stand-offish and quiet. She was drinking lots but something just seems wrong.... then she started losing feathers by the handful. She seems to be doing fine now. She will not win any beauty pageants but she seems to be holding her own and a bit more spunky. Hope yours continues to get better

She seems to be mingling with the flock OK. Last night when I went to lock up the coop though she was back in the nesting box so I put her up on the roost and she stayed there all night. I'm going to keep an ion her.

 

[Vikamcgrath]

Hi
I found my chick having some bloody stool and I looked a little closer and the poop hole is all blown up but he's till pooping. He does not eat really or drink. What could this be?

 

[Leigti]

Hi
I found my chick having some bloody stool and I looked a little closer and the poop hole is all blown up but he's till pooping. He does not eat really or drink. What could this be?

I have absolutely no clue. You might get more responses if you make a new thread. I hope your chicken recovers. It is scary when they're sick.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi
I found my chick having some bloody stool and I looked a little closer and the poop hole is all blown up but he's till pooping. He does not eat really or drink. What could this be?


Originally Posted by Leigti

I have absolutely no clue. You might get more responses if you make a new thread. I hope your chicken recovers. It is scary when they're sick.

Hi @Vikamcgrath Welcome to BYC.

It is always best to start a new thread so you can get personalized information.
But, it looks like your chick may have a prolapse. Gently soak her bottom in warm epsom salts bath. After she has soaked, gently clean away any poop. Apply some hemorrhoid cream or honey to help reduce swelling. Keep the vent moist with cream. You may need to repeat the soaking/applying cream a few times a day until she's healed. Make sure she is dry and warm before putting her back in the brooder.

Encourage your chick to drink water. If you have some poultry vitamins or Sav-A-Chick add that to her water. Once she is hydrated, offer wet chick starter (mix some of her feed with water to make a mash). At this time only give water and wet chick starter, your chick may be constipated, so make sure she is drinking enough.

If you haven't done so, separate her from any other chicks you may have. They will most likely pick on the injured vent and make it worse.
Make sure the temp in your brooder is not too hot. Ideally the brooder should have only one warm spot, let the rest go cool.

Let us know how she's doing.

 

[Vikamcgrath]

Ok thanks. Now I forgot to mention this is a rooster, but he has this funky thing going with his foot.