Lady Gray isn't eating/drinking/pooping and has outstretched neck

lndlubr

In the Brooder
Apr 23, 2022
6
3
29
We have two of these little ladies and they've never been very friendly. Yesterday, I noticed this one standing off by herself while the other was eating scratch with the rest of the flock. I was able to catch her fairly easily and brought her in. Nothing seemed wrong, she was just quiet. I offered her feed and water, but she wanted neither. When I offered her scratch, I thought she was going to take it, but no. I put her in a dark, quiet room with food and water (with vitamins, electrolytes and probiotics) and checked on her a few times in the night. At one point I notice she was perched on the water bowl and then this morning I found her laying down with her neck stretched out. She isn't gasping for air, I don't see anything in her throat or mouth, she's not star-gazing. I've looked for mites and other crawlies, but I don't see anything -- she gets very upset when I try to turn her over to look at her underside. She's alert, but she still isn't drinking or eating and I haven't seen a poop this whole time, and its going on 24 hrs that she's been inside now. Any ideas on what I might be dealing with? And what I should do to help her? I've got LA200, Nutridrench, VetRx and some other things on hand.

As far as food and water, I've tried dipping her beak in water to get her to drink but with no luck. I've carefully syringed a bit into the front of her beak. I've tried offering her a scrambled egg, yogurt, smooshed blue berries, and a banana, but she won't 'bite'. She 'smacks' her beak when I put it on the banana, and a little bit in the yogurt. I feel like my next move is to force feed her water :( and some food concoction.
 

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May have something stuck if you're seeing the neck stretched out, what do they normally eat and do they free range? Could she have taken in some of those chips or hardware? I watched one of mine do it today. Chickens are known for picking up metal like screws or staples.

How does her crop feel? Isolation isn't always the best thing unless she's contagious. If you can keep her separate from, but near her flock where she could see them that could help rule out any depression masquerading as symptoms.

In the 2nd photo she looks to be laying forward. I wonder if she's comfortable that way? If there is something in the crop or neck just becareful she doesn't aspriate and choke should she expell it.
 
I put her in a dark, quiet room with food and water (with vitamins, electrolytes and probiotics) and checked on her a few times in the night. At one point I notice she was perched on the water bowl and then this morning I found her laying down with her neck stretched out. She isn't gasping for air, I don't see anything in her throat or mouth, she's not star-gazing.

she gets very upset when I try to turn her over to look at her underside. She's alert, but she still isn't drinking or eating and I haven't seen a poop this whole time, and its going on 24 hrs that she's been inside now.
Was her neck outstretched like that before you put her in the kennel?

I'd start vitamin therapy, giving 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily. Give her a little egg to help with the uptake of E.

Look inside her beak for any signs of canker or lesions.

I'd encourage her to eat her normal feed if possible. Try making it into a mush and see if she's able to eat it.

Place food/water higher so she can reach them.
 
Was her neck outstretched like that before you put her in the kennel?

I'd start vitamin therapy, giving 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily. Give her a little egg to help with the uptake of E.

Look inside her beak for any signs of canker or lesions.

I'd encourage her to eat her normal feed if possible. Try making it into a mush and see if she's able to eat it.

Place food/water higher so she can reach them.

May have something stuck if you're seeing the neck stretched out, what do they normally eat and do they free range? Could she have taken in some of those chips or hardware? I watched one of mine do it today. Chickens are known for picking up metal like screws or staples.

How does her crop feel? Isolation isn't always the best thing unless she's contagious. If you can keep her separate from, but near her flock where she could see them that could help rule out any depression masquerading as symptoms.

In the 2nd photo she looks to be laying forward. I wonder if she's comfortable that way? If there is something in the crop or neck just becareful she doesn't aspriate and choke should she expell it.
She free ranges 24/7. She and her sister were raised with turkeys and tend to stick with them instead of going up in the coop at night. Her crop feels completely empty and there is nothing in her mouth as far as lesions or canker.
 
Was her neck outstretched like that before you put her in the kennel?

I'd start vitamin therapy, giving 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily. Give her a little egg to help with the uptake of E.

Look inside her beak for any signs of canker or lesions.

I'd encourage her to eat her normal feed if possible. Try making it into a mush and see if she's able to eat it.

Place food/water higher so she can reach them.
When I put her in the kennel she looked normal, just a little mopey, but no outstretched neck. After some research, I'm wondering about botulism or Marek's. Everyone else in the flock seems okay for now.
I'll start your suggestion of Vit E and B today as well as the feed mush. No signs of canker or lesions.
She does seem a bit perkier today, looking around more, head held higher, but still outstretched neck. I tried offering liquidy, mushed up food and she still doesn't want it. But I have been dipping her beak in it and she 'smacks' her little beak together until its gone. I'll keep doing what I can for her and hope for the best.
 

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