Lethargic chicken about egg laying age

[bwaltier]

Hello! I am new to chickens. Hopefully I am worried about nothing. My Red Sex Link is right at the age she should starting laying. She was hatched 3/31/2017 and at the top of the pecking order so far. This AM she didn't come out of the coop for about an hour after the others. She was in there quietly clucking. After she came out, she went and sat down in her fav spot and dozed. Her coop mates are staying close to her and acting protective. I was able to pick her up which is never allowed. Her crop didn't feel impacted. There is no diarrhea where she slept or that I have seen in the yard. Yesterday she was acting fine (eating, drinking, ranging). There is no sign of trauma and the other 2 girls are acting fine. Any ideas? Could she be getting ready to lay her first egg? Thank you for any help.

 

[Abriana]

Often chickens' first eggs are soft shelled and hard to pass. She could be just working on trying to lay it. She doesn't really sound sick. She could be egg bound, but I don't think so. I think she just needs some time. Hopefully she ends up okay!

 

[bwaltier]

That's so good to hear. I'll keep an eye on her.

 

[bwaltier]

Good news.. Alice seems to have recovered but now Lulu seems to be down with similar symptoms. She has been sleeping for most of the last 48 hours. She is drinking and eating very little. Today she started breathing heavy. Her poo has become a little watery but again, she isn't eating much. She was hatched 3/31. Breed is a Cream Leg bar. She has not laid any eggs. I will attach a video in a minute if I can. Thank you for any help.

 

[bwaltier]

Here is a youtube video of her breathing. Thank you again.

 

[bwaltier]

I hope someone can help... Lulu is not doing any better this AM. I was able to pick her up and examine her. Crop feels empty. Bottom is clean and vent is not swollen or red. I can hear her breathing heavy but it doesn't sound rattled or congested. Alert but not moving or struggling much. We'll see if she eats this AM. I closed off the coop so she could be by herself. She has crumbles soaked in probiotic water and a bowl of extra water available.

I am at a loss. I have 1 very healthy unaffected chicken who has moved to the top hen spot, 1 recovering chicken from this mystery illness, and Lulu who appears to be struggling. Any ideas? I attached a pic of her watery poop if that helps.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you take a poop sample to your vet for testing of worms, coccidiosis and have a gram stain?

The photo of the poop - it's hard to tell, but does it have a white-ish mucous along with the green?

Green poop can be from not eating or not absorbing nutrients correctly, sometimes worms, coccidiosis or bacterial infection. Diseases like Marek's can also present with a bright green poop as well.

It's so hard to know what's going on - check your feed to make sure it's not rancid, moldy or out of date - in hot weather feed molds so quickly. Offer her some poultry vitamins to see if she will perk up - but getting that poop tested would be your best bet.

 

[bwaltier]

OK... I will see if we can get a sample today. The pic one has been thrown out. THANK YOU!

 

[bwaltier]

I am sad to report that Lulu had a seizure last night and passed away. Alice (my Red Sex Link) is doing OK. She is eating and drinking anyway. She sleeps alot but always has. Still not herself yet. Her left eye is odd looking. Squinty. The hubby noticed that yesterday. When she is in the coop and out of the sun, it looks much better so maybe light sensitive. Her depth perception seems to be off as she was eating scratch from my hand and was missing it (pecks to the left of the scratch).

I was able to collect a fecal sample as she is having some watery poo. It was negative for everything per the vet. I am at a loss. I ordered some doxycycline and will try that. Here is a pic of her eye while she was in the coop. it looks way worse when she is outside in the light. The bottom lid covers half her eye. Also looks a little sunken but she is drinking well. Fingers crossed she keeps improving.

OH! I am going to start another thread but I stopped feeding fermented food a few days prior to this coming on. They weren't eating enough of it to make it worth my time. I can't imagine that would bring this on but maybe it was moldy? We had a hot streak and it could have happened....

 

[oceansunset73]

So sorry for your loss.