Lethargic chicken

[Eggcessive]

How does her lower abdomen feel? Is it swollen or spongey or tight like a drum? She seems to be breathing a little heavy. Will she eat some chopped egg, or take any feed or water? If she is not laying, I would tend to lean more toward internal laying as a possibility. But make sure that her crop is emptying overnight, and not hard or puffy. If you can get some droppings checked by a bet for worms or coccidiosis, that could rule out parasites.

 

[stormrobin]

How does her lower abdomen feel? Is it swollen or spongey or tight like a drum? She seems to be breathing a little heavy. Will she eat some chopped egg, or take any feed or water? If she is not laying, I would tend to lean more toward internal laying as a possibility. But make sure that her crop is emptying overnight, and not hard or puffy. If you can get some droppings checked by a bet for worms or coccidiosis, that could rule out parasites.

Empty ish crop this morning but she had access to feed but it was soft. It's empty now because she won't eat or drink. Tummy is soft. But as she was sitting on my lap I noticed bugs on me so started looking closer and she has bugs. Little white ones and tan ones. So tiny that they are really hard to see. Is it possible that the bugs nicked her system down and she caught a cold? What is the best way to treat bugs? I'm sure the rest of my flock and all their bedding is infested too. I'm going to try and force some water in her. I can try an egg maybe it would interest her more than crumble. Thank you for the advice.

 

[micstrachan]

Glad you’ve figured out she has bugs. Yes, they can really suck the life out of a chicken. I have not treated them myself yet.
Who is the bug expert here? I would also keep an eye out for the possibility of internal laying. She seems to be pumping her tail. Also, her comb is not only a bit faded, but a little floppy, too.
Please be very, very careful not to aspirate her if you actually force water. You can hold a little container of water (like a plastic water bottle lid) up to her and dip the tip of her beak. If she refuses fluids altogether, maybe you coukd entice her with melon? Have you tried offering scrambled egg? I think she needs supportive care to keep/build strength while you tackle the bug issue.