Lethargic chicken not eating or moving

[Loona]

Thanks so much! I'm so glad to hear yours got better! I need to buy a crate, I keep putting her in the bathtub and when I think she's ready for a poo,I let her go outside and then, of course, my phone decides to shut down so I can't take a picture of it!
I was so hoping she'd be better by today because we have a three day vacation scheduled starting tomorrow. At least it's just over two hours away, so I could come back if needed.
Here's the update:
I checked my little Dolly this morning, first thing just before the sun came up. Her crop felt like there was a little bit of fluid in it, not much, but I thought I could definitely feel some. I tried to barf her but nothing came out. So then I thought, "Maybe it is empty and it's just a little bit stretched out... Maybe she needs a crop bra..." Thoughts on that?
I gave her layer pellets mixed with water, she loved it, and a warm hardboiled egg yolk chopped up with a little yogurt, a bowl of grit and a bowl of fresh water. It was like Thanksgiving to the poor angel who was probably so hungry.
I'm not sure if I should do that concoction (cinnamon, chili powder, ginger,lemon...) again today, out just let her start back on these foods.
I'll take a picture of her poop once she goes. I think she's feeling much better. She still doesn't want to explore much, but she's not all sleepy and has a bit of fight in her here and there. She had diarreah yesterday, but it wasn't that explosive jet of yellow water that she had the day before. Yesterday it was clearly poo, just very watery. I pray today it is more solid.
I'm so thankful for that article yesterday and for all of everyone's help. Thank you so much!

If her crop is feeling empty and she's hungry, just let her eat. Pellets soaked in water is a good idea. Not too sure about the yogurt, but that's just me. Like some have said, dairy might make mucous when things aren't going good. How about the probiotics water? The little packets they sell. Maybe you can give her that for her daily water. Good sign she's eating. Hopefully whoever you leave her w/to care for her knows chickens?? Crates are convenient for these times. Keeping it clean is the hard part. Constantly changing the newspaper. Best wishes for your hen.

 

[ShanaMcS]

Thanks so much! I'm so glad to hear yours got better! I need to buy a crate, I keep putting her in the bathtub and when I think she's ready for a poo,I let her go outside and then, of course, my phone decides to shut down so I can't take a picture of it!
I was so hoping she'd be better by today because we have a three day vacation scheduled starting tomorrow. At least it's just over two hours away, so I could come back if needed.
Here's the update:
I checked my little Dolly this morning, first thing just before the sun came up. Her crop felt like there was a little bit of fluid in it, not much, but I thought I could definitely feel some. I tried to barf her but nothing came out. So then I thought, "Maybe it is empty and it's just a little bit stretched out... Maybe she needs a crop bra..." Thoughts on that?
I gave her layer pellets mixed with water, she loved it, and a warm hardboiled egg yolk chopped up with a little yogurt, a bowl of grit and a bowl of fresh water. It was like Thanksgiving to the poor angel who was probably so hungry.
I'm not sure if I should do that concoction (cinnamon, chili powder, ginger,lemon...) again today, out just let her start back on these foods.
I'll take a picture of her poop once she goes. I think she's feeling much better. She still doesn't want to explore much, but she's not all sleepy and has a bit of fight in her here and there. She had diarreah yesterday, but it wasn't that explosive jet of yellow water that she had the day before. Yesterday it was clearly poo, just very watery. I pray today it is more solid.
I'm so thankful for that article yesterday and for all of everyone's help. Thank you so much!

She pooped!!! And I think it looks good! What do you all think? Not perfect, but sure getting there!!! Thank you, Jesus!!!

 

[ShanaMcS]

If her crop is feeling empty and she's hungry, just let her eat. Pellets soaked in water is a good idea. Not too sure about the yogurt, but that's just me. Like some have said, dairy might make mucous when things aren't going good. How about the probiotics water? The little packets they sell. Maybe you can give her that for her daily water. Good sign she's eating. Hopefully whoever you leave her w/to care for her knows chickens?? Crates are convenient for these times. Keeping it clean is the hard part. Constantly changing the newspaper. Best wishes for your hen.

Thank you. I had read that yogurt was good, but now from the post I read yesterday, I agree with you, she doesn't need extra mucus right now. I'm not doing that anymore. Thanks for the advice! No, my neighbor knows nothing about chickens and is allergic to birds to she'll just be giving them food and water and that's about it. I'll try to get a crate today, but I doubt my neighbor will want to change the newspaper out over and over... Ahhhhhhhh... Are you more worried that she is contagious to the other birds or that they will see she is weak and hurt her? Thank you so much!

 

[ShanaMcS]

Hope she makes it, the poor girl. It looks like you are doing a good job.Keep her well away from the other hens, it may be Marek's and Marek's is highly contatagious.

Oh gosh, I hope it's not that! I looked up the symptoms and I don't think it sounds like her. (I hope!)
It says, "The signs and symptoms of Marek's Disease vary depending on the form of disease present. Cutaneous form:Enlarged reddened feather follicles and white bumps on the skin that form brown crusty scabs."
Her feathers look gorgeous, she had no red feather follicles or bumps on her skin and no crusty scabs.
Do most of you vaccinate for this? If so, how much does that cost? Again, thank you!

 

[Loona]

Thank you. I had read that yogurt was good, but now from the post I read yesterday, I agree with you, she doesn't need extra mucus right now. I'm not doing that anymore. Thanks for the advice! No, my neighbor knows nothing about chickens and is allergic to birds to she'll just be giving them food and water and that's about it. I'll try to get a crate today, but I doubt my neighbor will want to change the newspaper out over and over... Ahhhhhhhh... Are you more worried that she is contagious to the other birds or that they will see she is weak and hurt her? Thank you so much!

Darn, that's too bad your neighbor is allergic to birds. Um, yeah, you better just let her remain in the coop. And at this point you'll just have to take the risk on her well being. Hope she fairs well while you're away.

 

[enoryz]

Oh gosh, I hope it's not that! I looked up the symptoms and I don't think it sounds like her. (I hope!)
It says, "The signs and symptoms of Marek's Disease vary depending on the form of disease present. Cutaneous form:Enlarged reddened feather follicles and white bumps on the skin that form brown crusty scabs."
Her feathers look gorgeous, she had no red feather follicles or bumps on her skin and no crusty scabs.
Do most of you vaccinate for this? If so, how much does that cost? Again, thank you!

I've ordered chicks a couple times and got them vaccinated with the hatchery and Marek's is one they vaccinate for.

 

[ShanaMcS]

Hmm, I bought mine at Rural King, so maybe they were vaccinated and I just didn't realize it... She send to be feeling much better today. Here's another poo, it's getting more solid.

 

[ShanaMcS]

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's a lot of urates.

Is her crop emptying?

 

[ShanaMcS]

This hunched up appearance in the photo below, she looks like a hen that is having some reproductive problems. Crop issues can often be a symptom of an underlying condition like EYP, ascites, cancer, tumors, worms, infection and coccidiosis. Having a fecal float will help rule out worms and coccidiosis. (essentially, there is something slowing/blocking digestion, either inflammation in the intestines, oviduct or sometimes both)

Sometimes a girl that is sick will stay on the nest because it's more secure and comfortable for them. While a broody will lose weight, so can birds that are sick.

Giving her a soak in a warm epsom salts bath may help get things moving.
I see you mentioned you read the article that @enoryz linked you to - that is the best information I know of about crop problems and treatment options.

Please keep us posted, I hope she gets better soon.

Oh gosh, I hate that we are going out of town. I gave her a warm bath, but I didn't add Epsom salts. I'll do it as soon as we get back (Monday). Darn, I was sure hoping she was on the mend. Thank you for your help. Oh goodness, I hope she makes it. This is so sad!