littlenorthfarm
In the Brooder
- Jul 7, 2022
- 8
- 12
- 19
So one of my ISA Browns just started laying about 2-3 weeks ago now. She was hatched out March 30th, 2022 (about 5 months old now) and weighs about 3-5 pounds. Suddenly at the beginning of this week (Monday September 3rd) she became extremely lethargic. To explain how lethargic, my chickens free range and have learned to run the other way when they hear my car turn on or see it move. On Monday, as I was leaving all of the chickens scattered when I turned my car on except this one who still sat underneath my car. I ran her out from under it and went on my way, when I got back, she was laid down where my car was and did not move like the other chickens when I pulled in. If I tried to approach her though, she still got up and ran from me. I brought her in Monday and gave her a full check to see what was wrong. Her crop was empty, no sneezing, I monitored her poop and it was normal, nothing broken, no squishy abdomen, eating and drinking still, and walking normally when she would walk. I then gloved up and tried to feel for an egg and felt nothing. I decided to go ahead and try to treat for for being egg bound anyway. I separated her out, gave her extra calcium, and warm epsom salt baths. No egg was produced but she did enjoy pooping in the baths. On Wednesday, I checked her again to see if I could feel an egg again and still nothing. She was laying daily last week and now she has halted all laying and is not molting. She is the only chicken like this and I have convinced myself that it has to do with her being the only new layer at the moment. I read about Egg Yolk Peritonitis but she does not have a squishy belly or walking any different. I do have antibiotics I can give but I haven't been sure what to us or if she needs them since I can't figure out what exactly is wrong. Any help on figuring out what this may be and to do or if I should just go ahead and try certain antibiotics to see if it helps?