Highly Lethargic Hen With A Gray Comb

[GypsyQueenFarm]

I have been out of town due to surgery. My house sitter told me a week ago that one of my hens was acting very strange, hiding in the bushes and very lethargic, almost narcoleptic! She has been checked on, by my house sitter and my "chicken man", often. They have no clue what is wrong. I had my "chicken man" put her in a kennel away from other hens. Her comb is very gray and she is hunched over sleeping but is standing! There is white liquidy poop in her kennel but I don't think she is eating much, just drinking water. I got home today and put a spoonful of honey yogurt under her beak and she ate some, not a lot, then gobbled up a lot of water on her own. I am stressed and highly concerned but do not have the means to take her to a vet. Any ideas what is wrong with Amelia Bedelia? I want to make her comfortable and better and make sure she is not contagious to the other hens, my dog, cat or humans. Can the eggs still be eaten from the hens or should I throw them out until I have an answer. My other four hens seem just fine.

Thanks for your help!

Gypsy Queen

 

[welasharon]

I would start by checking to make sure she does not have any lice or mites or any wounds. Then I would see about getting some scrambled egg with maybe some yogurt in it into her. Watch her poop and make sure you don't see any visible worms...although that doesn't always mean there are none. Keep her out of the heat for a bit. Just some suggestions to start with.

 

[ZvilleChicks]

Hello. Wondering if you ever figured out what was happening, we have a hen with the exact same symptoms. Very lethargic, just drinking, strange poop. It has been very cold, so we brought her inside a few nights ago, but she doesn't seem to be improving. Very worried...