Is my chicken ill or am I just being paranoid?

[ctyrerdavies]

Heyy,
I've had chickens for around 2 months or so now. They're ex ex battery hens, basically we brought them off a woman who had them after they had come out of the factory, nursed them to good health and then sold them on to us. We have 2, Ethel and Betty, who are both very friendly. Neither have really layed any eggs since we've had them, probably due to their age (they're no spring chickens! although I can't be sure of their exact ages). My main concern though is that recently Betty has not been looking too well, and hasn't been eating as much as previously.

Is it just me or does she look a little pale/unwell? If so, what is the best thing I can do for her?
Thank you
Carolyn

 

[gumpsgirl]

Try giving her something that is high in protein, like scrambled eggs, and maybe give her some plain yogurt to see if that peps her up any.

As far as her looking off, it's really hard to tell by looking at a picture. You are the one who is there observing her, so you'll be the one who can tell best whether something is wrong or not. It also hard to tell if this behavior is not normal or not without knowing how old the hens are.

 

[tulie13]

I agree, hard to tell exactly how a chicken is feeling based on pictures, but YOU know her best. I did notice the comb looks a little droopy, and that can be a sign of "unwellness". Try the extra protein as gumpsgirl suggested, and put some Apple Cider Vinegar in her water (about 1 T. per gallon). If she's a little "off", it can't hurt to acidify her system.

And since I'm the "queen of the sour crop", I have the obligation to suggest that you check her crop for issues - full/squishy when it shouldn't be, or hard/full. If her crop is full in the morning when she hasn't eaten all night, something is going on.

Good luck, and keep us updated!

 

[Lollipop]

Good advise so far. I`m noticing the pale comb and thinking worms. Try worming her. Also, check her for mites. You do this with a flshlight at night. Just pick her off the roost and look for tiny little bugs around her vent and under her tail.

I wouldn`t worry much about her age. Egg factories don`t keep hens long and she probably has several years of productivity left. I once bought a battery Leghorn and she didn`t lay for months. Finally I gave up and killed her. She was full of eggs.

Hope your hen recovers soon.....Pop

 

[CMV]

She does look unwell. I think everyone has offered up some good advice. Seems a good place to start. Good luck with her.

 

[ctyrerdavies]

Thank you for all you advice, I really appreciate it

I've just given her some yoghurt and she ate a fair amount, which was good to see as she hasn't been eating much. She's been asleep a lot today although I've just checked up on her and she seems to be moving around a bit more, so I think that's a good sign.
I'll check for mites and worms tonight. Is there a particular worming product that you'd advise? I'll probably try and worm her anyways just to be on the safe side..
As for her coop, it's been 'floppy' since we got her although it's never been so discoloured.
I'll let her rest for now and try the apple cider vinegar and scrambled eggs later, hopefully that will perk her up a bit more.
Thanks again everyone
Carolyn

 

[Judy]

Lots of threads on here about worming. Here are two:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=103771&p=2

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=188574

My leghorns' combs have been floppy all their lives.