Just received six ladies, but one not looking so good

[organicsprouts]

We just received our first chickens! They are such wonderful ladies and we have grown attached to them already. One of them, a rhode island red, does not seem to be doing so well. She is around 22 weeks. They just moved from a 20-acre free-range farm to our small backyard, so she may just be depressed or adjusting to her new environment. The other five are all doing well, but she is seems very lethargic and has a really messy bottom. Her tail feathers are very droopy and she shakes a clearish liquid that seems to be coming from her inside her beak. We received them four days ago and she has not laid an egg. She is drinking water, but is not eating much at all. When we throw a worm right in front of her, she does nothing. We went ahead and separated her from the rest of the flock in case she has something contagious, but I do not want to stress her more. Any thoughts??

 

[artsyrobin]

bring her into the house to monitor poops, eating etc. check for mites and lice, do you know if they had been wormed? since she is shaking her head- listen to her chest, is she gurgling at all?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I'm glad you separated her from the others. The adjustment may have made her susceptible to illness. You may be able to get some sample tested at a local extension office. Check this link for info: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-choose-a-vet-for-your-chickens.html

Or you could check out this link to compare her symptoms http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

I'm glad the others are doing well.

 

[Kevin565]

 

[NonnasBabies]

Welcome from Louisiana!

 

[organicsprouts]

We did separate her and she has her own little coop now so we can monitor her eating and pooping. I do not think she has been wormed as they were practically "wild", only came in to lay their eggs and roost. He did not feed them or water them as they had plenty to eat in the wild and a creek to drink from. I have looked her over and do not see any mites or lice. Doesn't seem to be any gurgling in her chest. She is eating more today than yesterday, but still lots of liquid coming from her mouth.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad you joined. I would put some vitamins and electolytes in her water. It can give her boost.

 

[organicsprouts]

We just gave her some young coconut water kefir (a probiotic beverage) and she has totally perked up! She is going crazy when we give her worms and is no longer looking like she is going to fall over. Her butt is still a mess, though. Should we try to clean it or will it get better on it's own as she starts to become more active (hopefully her health continues to progress)? Thank you for all of your help! Two people recommended this site and said it was the best resource for backyard chickens!

 

[Broken]

welcome

 

[NovaAman]

It absolutely is the best site!

About the pasty butt. You could wash her if its bad, OR, you could provide a tub of sand/dirt for them to dust bathe in.