Lethargic 12 week old pullet

[Airyaman]

I noticed a day or so ago that one of my Speckled Sussex pullets was keeping her eyes halfway closed. She seemed to get around fine, eating and drinking with the other 7 in her flock, but today she wasn't doing as well. Still eating and drinking, but moving very slow and not flinching at all when I went to pick her up (she had been).

I dosed her with straight Corid and then prepared a water solution for the flock, just in case it is coccidiosis. I had not observed diarrhea and certainly no bloody stool. I did note a couple of days ago that their stool (the whole flock) was a little runny and more tan in color, but that day was very hot and they had been drinking alot. Her hind feathers are clean and I see no stool sticking to her vent area. Her very last stool looked standard for chickens.

I brought her inside to give her some extra nutrients. I scrambled an extra large egg and she ate probably 1/3 of it. She has been sitting in my lap sleeping for a good 45 minutes or so, and she trills whenever I pet her. However, when she wakes and tries to stand up, she does not open her eyes.

One thing to add is that I noticed yesterday that her vision seems to be off. While some of her flock mates were drinking from a bowl I set out in their free range area, she would often try to put her beak an inch or so above the water instead of in it, like her depth perception is off. She also does not seem to react to my hand motions around her head. I don't know that she is blind, because she seems to be able to find the food and water just fine, but it's certainly different.

I need to go out of town tomorrow and Sunday to see my son and fiance before she moves next week. I was thinking of taking her with me but being alone away from the flock is not the best idea, so I've heard. Plus, with that much time away she'd have to be reintroduced to the flock.

Thoughts?

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have pictures of her eyes? Are the eyes the same with round black pupils, and are the colored irises normal? Is there any gunk or bubbles in either eye?

 

[Debbie292d]

If you can't be sure she'll eat and drink on her own, then I'd opt to take her along with you. Could this be heat exhaustion? I've got a similar case, same age, except this one keeps her eyes open, she just gets despondent and won't eat/drink on her own, so ours has to come with us.

 

[Airyaman]

Do you have pictures of her eyes? Are the eyes the same with round black pupils, and are the colored irises normal? Is there any gunk or bubbles in either eye?

No gunk or bubbles, I will try to get pictures of her eyes.

 

[Airyaman]

If you can't be sure she'll eat and drink on her own, then I'd opt to take her along with you. Could this be heat exhaustion? I've got a similar case, same age, except this one keeps her eyes open, she just gets despondent and won't eat/drink on her own, so ours has to come with us.

I was thinking it could be heat exhaustion as well. The other birds are doing OK, except one of the cockerels who also seemed to be a bit off (his comb has not reddened up yet and is laying to one side) a few days ago.

I knew he was feeling better when my older single SS pullet decided to wander into their area earlier today (she likes to follow me when I'm out) and it was him that gave her the business. Plus, he's actually been perking up lately, but was a bit off a couple days ago.

The rest are normal, except for panting during the heat. They actually seem to be more affected by it that even my black birds (BAs. BJGs).

 

[Debbie292d]

I was thinking it could be heat exhaustion as well. The other birds are doing OK, except one of the cockerels who also seemed to be a bit off (his comb has not reddened up yet and is laying to one side) a few days ago.

I knew he was feeling better when my older single SS pullet decided to wander into their area earlier today (she likes to follow me when I'm out) and it was him that gave her the business. Plus, he's actually been perking up lately, but was a bit off a couple days ago.

The rest are normal, except for panting during the heat. They actually seem to be more affected by it that even my black birds (BAs. BJGs).

Mine are all fine, but for her too. I have to hand-feed/water her, but she'll stand and preen herself. This is the second time with this one. I thought she was fine when she started eating on her own, put back outside, and two days later I had to bring her in again. I'm not sure how long this goes on for, but thus why I'd be afraid to leave yours behind for a few days.

 

[Airyaman]

After her temporary respite, I decided to put her back in with her flock. When she got close to her flock she started getting feisty and wanted to be put down, so that was a good sign for me. She went right to the food and started chowing down.

I'll check on her once again before sleep time and then again in the morning, but she seems to be more spry already. I will get photos of her eyes in the morning.

 

[Airyaman]

Going to treat for worms. They are the only birds that go under the coop (it's pretty cool under there) and they are the only ones showing signs of lethargy and pale combs. Probably treat all of my flocks since they free range.

One cockerel has a dirty bum (saw it online!) and a pale comb. The lethargic pullet has a clean behind but she is lethargic, eats plenty, and is not gaining weight. Same with the cockerel.

 

[Airyaman]

Got the pullet and the cockerel treated using goat dewormer. Pullet only weighs 1 lb so she got 1/4 ml. My dog has diabetes so I have small syringes and I was able to modify one to administer the dosage. She was much easier than the cockerel, so I just soaked some pieces of bread and he ate it all.

I am treating the rest of the flocks with Aquasol.

Could not get a picture of her eyes open she rarely opens them now, and even then she's always squinting. Best I could tell her eyes look normal but I can only see through a small portion since she does not open them all the way.

When she stands around with her eyes closed she moves her head oddly, almost as if she is trying to hear rather than see (that's just a guess).

Had her sit next to a bowl of water and drink. I think she can see some but I do believe, at least by how she behaves, that her vision is very poor. She would often stick her beak too far into the water but she drank alot, which tells me she is not seeing her regular waterer that well. I've seen her drink out of it but she doesn't go to it alone, and has to be practically on top of it to drink.

She seems to do much better finding the food but then chickens can smell.

 

[Bawkbok]

I'm sorry to hear this about your SS. Have you tried to open her eye lids and shining a flash light in them to see if you get a normal pupil reaction? - much like an eye doctor does with humans. Doing this at dusk or in a dark room would be best and you'll probably need a helper to hold her.
Also I'm wondering if there could be some debris or something in there causing irritation, like gritty sand or dirt? Have you tried flushing the eyes? If there is no goo or bubbles it doesn't sound like an infection which is good.