Hen with a Poopy Butt and Lethargic

[Cindi-Lu]

We have a mature Barred Rock that is normally a great eater and very VERY talkative.

Last night she just picked at her food at chow time and this morning she wouldn't eat at all. Let them out to wander the yard and she is choosing to stay in the pen. She seems very lethargic, but will get up and run when I try and pick her up.
We tried tempting her with some canned peas but she didn't want it.

Lately the egg production has been normal, no sign of anything respiratory or injury. Her crop felt empty this morning, didn't feel anything like an impaction.

We feed fermented feed w/ ACV and kitchen scraps 2x a day and she's usually one of the first to the feeder so this is worrying to us!

Any ideas out there? Haven't noticed any parasites or worms but will take a closer look for that. Could she need to be wormed? I doubt her previous owners did that and I just learned about it. Dang, I love this website!

Thanks for any help!

 

[realsis]

you can try a probotic for her poppy butt.I use probios it works really well for me whenever my flock gets the poopy butt.it supplies good bacteria to balance out the gut health. I even use it for my chicks. right now I found they have a big sale on it for half price! take a look http://www.probioticsmart.com/farm/probios-poultry-soluble-5-gram-treats-5-000-birds-at-a-time.html its only 6 dollars its usually 12. this product has worked very well for me and my birds. in a couple of days of using it poopy butt is gone. I hope this is helpful. I'd grab it now while its on sale. best wishes. he is some reading about probotics http://www.organic-gardening-and-homesteading.com/poultry-probiotics.html

 

[Cindi-Lu]

Cool! I actually happen to have a tube of Probios that I always keep on hand for one of my old horses. Any idea how much to give a chicken? I'm guessing a pea-sized squirt? That is IF I can get her to eat it; she's really showing no desire for food right now. Hmmm, maybe I even have a container of live culture yogurt in the fridge...
Thanks! Will give it a try!

 

[dawg53]

Inspect her for lice/mites, especially around the vent area. She most likely needs to be wormed, as well as your other birds.

 

[Cindi-Lu]

Thanks Dawg! Now that you mention it, I saw the other 3 hens scratching and ruffling feathers more than usual just today. What is the recommended product and method for lice/mite extermination?

Could a parasite problem account for all of her symptoms?

Will be hitting the feed store on Wed so will pick up the necessary supplies.