Hen has very weak legs, lethargic - help!

[silversealilies]

Hi all, we have 8 hens, one of which is a rescue, so we don’t have a clue how old she is. For the past week or so, we’ve noticed she’s been sleeping A LOT, but is still eating and getting around ok, so we just thought maybe she’s getting old.

Two days ago, we went to check the coop in the evening and noticed she was on the ground and not on the roosts with everyone else. Then today we monitored her and found out she can’t jump at all (hence can’t get to her roost) and is extremely wobbly walking around, kind of like her legs have just lost muscle and she falls and leans as she tries to walk.

She’s extremely lethargic and just leans or stands still. Could this just be old age and she’s on her way out, or something else? I know it’s impossible to tell from this description, but we’ve never had an old hen and would love to know if anyone has experience with an ageing hen on her last legs (and if this is what it could be), and if we should do anything. Thank you!

 

[nuthatched]

Hi there, sorry to heat about your chicken.
what's her diet?
Can you feel her crop?
Have you tried treating for vitamin deficiency?

 

[silversealilies]

Hi there, sorry to heat about your chicken.
what's her diet?
Can you feel her crop?
Have you tried treating for vitamin deficiency?

Hi there, thanks for the reply! We feed her layers pellets and occasional corn, oyster shell, and she free ranges a lot (worms and bugs and grass and whatever else she can find), so I don’t think she’d be deficient in anything? We picked her up and her she’s very light (like she’s lost weight), but her crop feels normal and she’s still eating (although lethargically!).

 

[nuthatched]

Hi there, thanks for the reply! We feed her layers pellets and occasional corn, oyster shell, and she free ranges a lot (worms and bugs and grass and whatever else she can find), so I don’t think she’d be deficient in anything? We picked her up and her she’s very light (like she’s lost weight), but her crop feels normal and she’s still eating (although lethargically!).

What's the feed specifically? It could just be old age or if she's rescued she might have issues from before then. I'd start a high protein feed and treat for vitamin deficiency for now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Does she lay eggs? When was the last one?
Have you ever dewormed her?
How long have you had her?

Photos of her and her poop?

Work on getting her hydrated and offer her some wet soupy feed with bits of egg for interest. Vitamins or electrolytes for a few days would be good, but provide her the option of fresh water as well.

Feel her abdomen, is there any bloat or swelling below the vent between her legs?

Do check to make sure her crop is emptying overnight and that she has not lice/mites too.