Hen behaving oddly, not sure if she is sick

[PeepsAreForMe]

I have three hens and one rooster and they all get along just fine. Over the weekend I noticed Belle sitting off by herself, not pecking and scratching with the others. Every day after work I let them out into their yard and they are always on my heels to get out into the grass. When I let them out and leave the gate open she does not follow them. She has been sitting a lot.I did notice one of her "sisters" sitting with her inside their fenced in area yesterday.

She does come around for chicken "crack" (meal worms) but doesn't scarf them up like the others.She is not getting pecked at and has no visible wounds that I can find. I did see some green droppings the other day, but read in one of my books that they don't determine anything from droppings, which I thought was odd. Of course I don't know who they came from. It's almost like she is depressed and doesn't want to do anything! I do have a farm vet I can call, but what do I say "I think my hen is depressed?" Someone's been eating some eggs too but that's a whole other issue!

Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks for reading this!

 

[BantamLover21]

I have three hens and one rooster and they all get along just fine. Over the weekend I noticed Belle sitting off by herself, not pecking and scratching with the others. Every day after work I let them out into their yard and they are always on my heels to get out into the grass. When I let them out and leave the gate open she does not follow them. She has been sitting a lot.I did notice one of her "sisters" sitting with her inside their fenced in area yesterday.

She does come around for chicken "crack" (meal worms) but doesn't scarf them up like the others.She is not getting pecked at and has no visible wounds that I can find. I did see some green droppings the other day, but read in one of my books that they don't determine anything from droppings, which I thought was odd. Of course I don't know who they came from. It's almost like she is depressed and doesn't want to do anything! I do have a farm vet I can call, but what do I say "I think my hen is depressed?" Someone's been eating some eggs too but that's a whole other issue!

Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks for reading this!

When she walks, does she seem normal? Does she kind of waddle upright like a penguin, does she limp, etc.? If she waddles, Egg Yolk Peritonitis is my main suspect. Also, feel her crop in the morning, before she has eaten much. Is it squishy, large, and balloon like, or is it hard? Sour crop or Impacted crop are two other possibilities.

If none of those symptoms fit her, I think that Coccidiosis or worms are likely. I'd get a good wormer, such as Valbazen, SafeGuard, or the Worminator (it contains Flubenvet, and is what I use) and worm her. Worms can make a chicken lethargic, and eventually will kill by taking away any nutrients that the bird eats. Most wormers can be purchased at a livestock supply store, and the Worminator can be ordered online from here: http://www.twincitypoultrysupplies.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=584.

I would also consider getting some Corid and treating for Coccidiosis, as Coccidiosis can make a chicken lack an appetite and be lethargic, too. Corid (amprol) can be purchased at livestock supply store, and comes in a liquid and a powdered form. The powdered Corid dosage is 1/2-3/4 teaspoon powder per gallon of drinking water for 5-7 days. The Corid liquid dosage is 1/2 teaspoon liquid per quart of drinking water for 5-7 days. Do not give any vitamins in the drinking water during Corid treatment; however, probiotics are fine.

Also, if you haven't already, I would isolate your hen in a warm, clean place. Encourage her to eat by giving scrambled eggs, moistened layer feed, mealworms, etc. (basically anything she will eat). Make sure she is drinking. If not, dip her beak in water or drip some water on the side of her beak to get her to drink, as you do not want her to become dehydrated.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

She is walking normal, no waddling or limping. She did fly off the ramp last night from about three feet up and I thought she lost her balance because she fell onto her chest.Her neck looked a little large but then I thought that was because her head was not up all the way like the other two.I did not feel her crop. I will tonight and tomorrow morningI will isolate her and treat her for worms, thanks for the advice!