myawesomepullets
Songster
I have a 2 yr old hen who has been on and off lethargic for several weeks now, beginning during a cold snap. She’s been losing weight just a little bit previously but now it’s really noticeable. I’m not sure what’s wrong or if it can be cured, but I’m trying to find out.
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
She’s a 2 yr old Rhode Island Red hen, I’m not sure her exact weight but she’s featherlight, much lighter than her flock mates and herself, previously.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
She’s been listless, on and off lethargic, slower than usual, not eating as much for several weeks now, maybe about a month. It used to be not very noticeable but it seems to be getting worse. She also hasn’t been laying eggs. (But in general that’s not too abnormal bc it’s been cold and her other flock mates haven’t been laying either).
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
About a month, or just short of a month. It pretty much began with an abnormally cold week.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No. All three other hens are acting normally and starting to lay again after winter.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I don’t really know. It’s been cold but the other hens are fine and this hen is usually pretty hardy.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
She’s been drinking water and I’m not completely sure how much layer feed she’s been eating, if at all. She eats treats, like veggies/fruits/mealworms when the other hens do.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Her poop is runny, but not always straight up liquid. She’s been pooping less and less recently.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
I haven’t really done anything yet.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I want to treat completely myself bc there’s no avian vets around where I live, and the costs are out of question anyway.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
She’s just standing around, head sort of tucked into her body, and eyes closed sometimes. Just classic lethargy.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use.
Pine shavings from Tractor supply, hay in the nesting boxes, a small-ish wood and metal coop that is somewhat open-air, and a big run with shrubs, a tree or two, some logs, and mostly dirt on the ground. It may or may not be helpful to mention that there’s currently some house construction/renovation going on decently close to the coop. (Probably around 25 ft away).
I’m not totally sure what’s wrong, or if the problem can be solved, but thanks so much to anyone who reads this! I’ll update.
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
She’s a 2 yr old Rhode Island Red hen, I’m not sure her exact weight but she’s featherlight, much lighter than her flock mates and herself, previously.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
She’s been listless, on and off lethargic, slower than usual, not eating as much for several weeks now, maybe about a month. It used to be not very noticeable but it seems to be getting worse. She also hasn’t been laying eggs. (But in general that’s not too abnormal bc it’s been cold and her other flock mates haven’t been laying either).
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
About a month, or just short of a month. It pretty much began with an abnormally cold week.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No. All three other hens are acting normally and starting to lay again after winter.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
I don’t really know. It’s been cold but the other hens are fine and this hen is usually pretty hardy.
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
She’s been drinking water and I’m not completely sure how much layer feed she’s been eating, if at all. She eats treats, like veggies/fruits/mealworms when the other hens do.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Her poop is runny, but not always straight up liquid. She’s been pooping less and less recently.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
I haven’t really done anything yet.
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I want to treat completely myself bc there’s no avian vets around where I live, and the costs are out of question anyway.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
She’s just standing around, head sort of tucked into her body, and eyes closed sometimes. Just classic lethargy.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use.
Pine shavings from Tractor supply, hay in the nesting boxes, a small-ish wood and metal coop that is somewhat open-air, and a big run with shrubs, a tree or two, some logs, and mostly dirt on the ground. It may or may not be helpful to mention that there’s currently some house construction/renovation going on decently close to the coop. (Probably around 25 ft away).
I’m not totally sure what’s wrong, or if the problem can be solved, but thanks so much to anyone who reads this! I’ll update.
