Lethargic Bantam Welsummer

[Gord]

Hi everyone,

New to backyard chickens, have been reading lots and first time poster. I've got a bantam Welsummer in my coop who's just begun to act much differently than she used to. She's about two and half years old, has been living in this coop for a couple of months now (living with three other hens), no eggs from her yet as far as I can tell.

Just a couple of days ago when we started rounding them up from their run and into their coop, I noticed that she's been hiding away in a little corner all day, she hasn't been eating much and she's keeping her head really reared back, kind of exposing her breastbone (which feels really pointy, not sure if that's normal). When I held her to check her crop, she kept her eyes closed for much of the time and she's not as spry or feisty as she used to be. I checked for mites, bounded crop and I don't think it's wry neck.

Any one of you know what it might be?

Thank you all

 

[Suzie]

Hi!

A very warm welcome to BYC - have you wormed your Wellsummer lately?

Mites can be almost indistinguishable..... when did you last treat them for infestations?

I am not being critical but these are standard problems to look for - no doubt somebody here will enlighten you further as to possible causes as to what the problem may be.

Wishing you good luck!

Suzie

 

[Gord]

Hi Suzie,

Thanks so much for the warm welcome.

I believe the chickens were treated before moving into the coop, which was about a couple of months ago. I'll get all of those things checked again by the beginning of this week.

The only thing I'm worried about is that she's really rearing her head to expose her breast, and I'm not sure if this is normal -- do you a think a picture of it would help?

Thanks again,

Gord

 

[Suzie]

It may be an idea to show a picture of her - there is something called gapeworm which may be the cause - there is much information about this subject - if you go to the search button at the top of the page and type in gapeworm you will hopefully be able to see if her symptoms are similar.

Hopefully somebody else here may have a better idea as to what may be wrong with her.

Good luck!

Suzie