lethargic and small pullet

[LoveMySiouxsie87]

I have 3 pullets (one EE, one BR, and one SLW) that are about 17 weeks old (the SLW is a week or 2 older). My SLW has been acting lethargic lately and weighs a lot less than the other 2 pullets. Sometimes when she's standing or jumping off of something and landing it looks like she loses her ballance a little.

The comforting thing is that shes still eating, and will run to food with the others. Other than her lethargy and lightness, she doesnt have any signs of anything being wrong with her (no goopy eyes or missing feathers).

Last night when I went in to check on them she was on the floor of the coop while the others were roosting. I dont know if she couldnt make it up there herself or what but I'm getting more nervous every day.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[tomdeggeater]

LMS,
Is she getting out to feed on bugs and greens, or just chicken feed?
At 4-5 mos. of age, you aren't using medicated feed anymore, are you?
You might try giving her some hard boiled eggs for protein. (and maybe some toast and a cup of coffee) Just kidding about the coffee.

Tom

 

[PunkinPeep]

Have you checked her very thoroughly for lice and mites?

Also, have you seen her poop? Can you tell us about it?

 

[LoveMySiouxsie87]

Nope, she eats regular chicken feed and she has access to a sizeable chicken run for nearly 10 hrs a day where she can eat bugs, I also feed them bread sometimes or waffles as a treat. I'll try the hard boiled egg thing, thanks.

 

[LoveMySiouxsie87]

I haven't checked her thoroughly for lice and mites, I will do that. The last time I saw her poop was about 2 days ago and it seemed pretty runny, but all my hens poop has been runny lately.

 

[LoveMySiouxsie87]

Ok i checked under her feathers and she does have something, though I can't tell if its lice or mites or what. I got 2 of them off and put them on a piece of tape and folded it over so I could reference it and try to figure it out which, if either, it was.

How do I treat her and is treatment different for lice than it is for mites?

 

[PunkinPeep]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=203719

here is another thread with some info

you can dust them with food grade d.e. or seven dust. You'll also need to do some thorough cleaning of the coop and a redusting

i haven't done it myself, so i'm just repeating information i've read from others.

you'll want to do a search on here to read other threads for more thorough information.