Lethargic Chicken

[Wrigs8]

I have a buff Orpington who is 3yo. The last few days she just sits in the barn, doesn't go outside with the other chickens, eats VERY little. She moves around in the barn, but I usually find her in one of two spots where she is just sitting. She flew up on the perch (about 2 feet high) to go to bed, and couldn't seem to fly high enough to get up there. She did it eventually, but it took a few tries. I thought she was going to pass yesterday, but she keeps hanging on. The other chickens don't pick on her at all, just leave her alone. She also goes outside so I know she has enough grit. Any thoughts???

 

[casportpony]

Can you post some pictures and a video of her?
Has she lost weight?
Have you checked her for lice and mites?
When did she lay her last egg?
When was the last time she was de-wormed?
What does her poop look like?

 

[Wrigs8]

This is how she usually sits in the barn. This is one of her two spots. She has had this bare bum for years. We had a problem with several of our girls several years ago and thought she had it too. She lost her feathers and has been fine since. No weigh loss and she had an egg prior to all this stating...so maybe 3 days ago. I’m not sure what to look for regarding mites and lice. I tried to look but she won’t let me and I’ve never worked them.

 

[Wrigs8]

Poop is normal

 

[casportpony]

You need to restrain her and check her entire body for bugs and eggs on the feathers.

 

[Wrigs8]

My Pics didn't load. Let me try again. That is really helpful. Thanks so much. One question: She is the only one. Would the other hens get mites/lice too??

 

[Wrigs8]

Photos

 

[casportpony]

She is the only one. Would the other hens get mites/lice too??

Some birds will have them, some will not. In the pictures, her belly looks a little bloated. Can you compare her belly to another hen's belly?

 

[Wrigs8]

Some birds will have them, some will not. In the pictures, her belly looks a little bloated. Can you compare her belly to another hen's belly?

She is not bloated. Her belly looks no different than it usually does.