Hen off balance and other issues

[LindseyDMD]

Yes, the comb can be an indicator of health - I do wonder how old she is - if she is going to start molting soon - the comb turns paler and begins to shrink, you will start to find feathers in the coop/run, there's usually a reduction or stopping of egg laying. When you inspect her again, look to see if you find any new growth of pin feathers, check around the vent for any lice too. Good photos and info on lice/mites http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

For the crop - feel it when she goes to bed, it should feel firm and full. Check it again, first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks, it should be flat. What you are wanting is for the crop to empty it's contents overnight. Checking during the day while she is actively eating is not a good indicator of how the crop is functioning. Here's a good article along with photos - you don't need to treat any crop issues unless it's not emptying.http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/06/chicken-anatomy-crop-impacted-crop-sour.html

For food- what type of feed did the previous owners give you? Do you also provide oyster shell free choice?

Thank you so much for taking the time to send all this info. I will keep reading and will check her tonight before bed.

They are about 7 months old. They were apparently Easter chicks. As for food, it's the DuMOR crumbles. It had decent reviews as a food, so I did not opt to change it. They also gave us a small can full of oyster shells that I scatter regularly. They will eat some, but don't have a true interest in them.

 

[LindseyDMD]

Check her ears, eyes, and crop. Mites or something else in, or near the ears can cause this.

Ok!! That is next on the agenda!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you so much for taking the time to send all this info. I will keep reading and will check her tonight before bed.

They are about 7 months old. They were apparently Easter chicks. As for food, it's the DuMOR crumbles. It had decent reviews as a food, so I did not opt to change it. They also gave us a small can full of oyster shells that I scatter regularly. They will eat some, but don't have a true interest in them.

The feed should be fine. Oyster shell given free choice is fine too. Since they are young, they won't consume a lot of oyster shell, but it's always good to have it - they will take what they need.
Layer feed can sometimes be a little low in protein, so if you give a lot of treats or veggies, then consider a little extra protein a couple of times a week. My girls are partial to hard boiled eggs. Try the vitamins as suggested to see if those make a difference as well.

Please keep us posted.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do both eyes look the same as far as color and pupil size and shape? Her crop does look a bit large in the video, so hopefully, it empties overnight. Dumor is an okay feed, but it tends to be more powdery than say, Layena or Nutrena. I like Kalmbach layer pellets or crumbles, but they may not be available in your area. It is produced in Ohio, so for me, it costs less than bigger brands, but it also seems to be better quality. A pullet should continue laying the first winter without 12 hours of light, so the pale comb is surprising. But it is good that she is laying. I would also look her over around and under her vent, and elsewhere for any signs of mites or lice, since mites can cause anemia.

 

[LindseyDMD]

I noticed the large crop too after I learned what it was. It is larger than the other's. I felt it before bed and it is firm yet palpable and about the size of a golf ball. I will look again in the morning.

We looked for mites again but she looks clean as a whistle, except for her bottom. The droppings are making an absolute mess and I'm scared to bathe her because it finally got cold here. Should I anyways?

She keeps going into the nest box (a certain one, too) and was even in there before it was dark. Her sister was still out and about.

I fed them some tuna earlier and my goodness they went nuts!! She has a heck of an appetite, at least. It was hard to watch her eat, however. She would try to peck, but for some reason shake her head in the process and miss. She would always eventually get some and ate quite a bit.

Her eyes seem to be okay, at least phsyically to me. They change with light and are still the same yellow. No discharge or puffiness.

Also, I noticed she does not keep her tail up anymore. It is always straight out. Is this significant?

 

[LindseyDMD]

My biggest concern is if she's suffering - does anyone think she might be?

 

[Eggcessive]

I am not sure that she is suffering. She may need some watching for more time to figure out what is going on. She may be having a problem seeing which would definitely cause some reluctance to roost at night, and have trouble pecking at food. It may take some extra care getting enough food into her. Sometimes placing them in a dog crate near food and water, but within sight of the other chickens for comfort can help. You can bring her inside if you need to clean her vent area with soap and water, and dry her with a hair dryer. Chickens can have runny droppings for many reasons. With some of her symptoms, I worry a little about Mareks disease, but it is way too early to think about that possibility. Hopefully, she is older than you thought, and is starting a molt which can be stressful. If your bag of feed is pretty old, I would chuck it, and get some fresh. Many feed stores sell smaller bags for small flocks. Let us know how she is doing.

 

[micstrachan]

Yes, dropping her tail is significant. Missing her food really stands out to me. My Buckeye was doing something similar once in awhile and also closes one eye every so often like it’s irritated.
Seems sort of neurological and/or visual to me, but I am still learning. Really hard for me to give good advice here, as I’m not sure what’s going on. Supportive care like vitamins and electrolytes in water always seem like sonething to try while trying to figure things out. Best wishes for your cute girl and please keep us posted.

 

[Eggcessive]

We are all still learning here, no matter how long we have had chickens. I have had a couple at death's door before, starving themselves and reluctant to leave the coop. Then one day they were back out mingling with the flock, and acting normal. A little supportive care and observation can go along way.

 

[LindseyDMD]

I broke down and took my girl to the vet. She had a high number of coccidia in the fecal analysis, so he suspects that is what is causing everything. I took some food with me so he could see how she ate, and he does not believe her actions were neurological in nature, but rather she was just debilitated from the infection. We have some meds that I started tonight. I hope this is what she has and that we get it under control. When I got her home, I opened a can of tuna for her for a treat and some extra protein.

Fingers crossed

Thank you again to everyone from the bottom of my heart for trying to help me figure this out. I have learned a lot!