Lethargic Chicken

[Walter T]

Hi,
This morning I noticed one of my hens was sitting in a corner all by her self. I went to pick her up and she just let me no noise or anything. I checked and one of her eyes is shut. She is very lethargic and keeps falling asleep. Her breathing is slow and heavy but she is drinking. She won't eat and regularly makes her "drinking" noise without drinking.

We've brought her inside and gave her electrolyte water.

Any ideas what's happening

 

[rebrascora]

Hi
How old is she?
The one eye shut and acting unwell can be a symptom of Marek's Disease which is most often seen in adolescent birds. Hormonal surges at point of lay are a common trigger, but it can affect younger or older birds. The one eye shut symptom is a less common one and you may find that she can open it if she gets a fright or needs to focus but the "default setting" on it is wrong. Unfortunately Marek's is a very common and serious poultry disease and can often be fatal. I have it in my flock and there is no recognised treatment, but vitamin supplementation can help to support their immune system to fight it. A good vitamin supplement like Nutri Drench or Poultry Cell can be beneficial. She needs to eat though as without food she will go down hill rapidly, so try to tempt her with whatever you can. Scrambled egg is often good or bread soaked in gravy.... a bit high in salt and not a very nutritious treat but worth trying if she will eat it a combination of both works too..... anything being better than nothing. I have supported birds for months with Marek's and they have made limited or even full recoveries although they continue to carry the disease, but once they lose interest in food it usually signals the end and I now euthanize at that stage.
Of course it may be something other than Marek's which is why age is relevant.

 

[Walter T]

She is about 3 months old

 

[rebrascora]

3 months would definitely make Marek's likely. Where did you get her? How long have you had her and have her circumstances or environment changed recently that would stress her? Was she vaccinated for Marek's at hatch?

 

[Walter T]

3 months would definitely make Marek's likely. Where did you get her? How long have you had her and have her circumstances or environment changed recently that would stress her? Was she vaccinated for Marek's at hatch?

Eric got her from Meyer website and we've had her since she was itty bitty, we did just add 5 to the flock but they have been kept separate due to size differnce

 

[rebrascora]

How long ago did you get the new ones and where did you get them from. Marek's can be carried on clothing, shoes, hair and skin as well as the wind but takes a minimum of 3 weeks between infection and the bird becoming symptomatic (it can be considerably longer), so if you got them within 3 the last 3 weeks it is less likely that they were the source of infection, supposing that I am right and it is Marek's.