lethargic chicken with muscle wasting

[chikita]

I have a yellow comet who seems to be eating-at least sometimes she has food in her craw but is wasting away. Her breast bone is sticking out and she's very lethargic. My other chickens seem healthy. Any ideas?

 

[ten chicks]

I have a yellow comet who seems to be eating-at least sometimes she has food in her craw but is wasting away. Her breast bone is sticking out and she's very lethargic. My other chickens seem healthy. Any ideas?

Try worming her. Any other symptoms?

 

[chikita]

well she doesn't seem to want to eat much today. she took 3 bites of yogurt and a few bread crumbs. it almost seems like she's just too tired to make the effort to eat. she hasn't moved all day. I just brought her in the house to keep a closer eye on her. she's not laying or molting. she has no muscle on her breast. she is ~ 3 and a half yrs old.no other symptoms that I can see. what kind of wormer would you recommend?

 

[enola]

This sounds more like coccidia to me . . .

 

[Wyandottes7]

I would definitely deworm her. A common sign of a chicken having worms is when it eats but never gains any weight. Two good dewormers would be Safeguard and Valbazen. These are broad spectrum, and will kill most worms. Here is some information on their dosages:

Safeguard paste:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/559705/gapeworm-treating-with-safeguard
Safeguard liquid10% goat dewormer given in the water)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/407142/how-to-mix-the-safe-guard-wormer-for-my-chicks-please-help
Safeguard liquid (given orally--go to post two)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/752689/dosage-help-updated-question

Valbazen:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/401475/worming-with-valbazen

How old is she? The lethargy and sleepiness make me think that she could have Coccidiosis instead. Have you noticed any bloody droppings? You might want to get some Corid and keep it on hand in case worming doesn't work. The dosage for Corid powder is 3/4 teaspoon, and for the liquid it is 2 teaspoons per gallon of water. Give Corid for five days.

 

[chikita]

she is 3 and a half so seems too old for coccidiosis don't you think? Will try worming her.
Thanks so much.

 

[enola]

Any chicken in a weakend/stressed situation can have coccidia as a secondary ilness.

HEALTHY adult birds are usually immune

 

[chikita]

thanks so much.that's good to know.

 

[wsufans]

Chickita:
did anything work for you?

I could have written your original post except my hen was a Rhode Island Red. So very sad and so concering to discover her breast muscle was for all practical purposes GONE.

We treated for coccidiosis and then gave the entire flock a day of WAZINE in their water... but maybe it was too late for my Rhody.... we tearfully had to end her suffering last night


Would be curious as to what happened with your bird.

Thanks