Lethargic Chicken

[Swiftbow]

Our Easter Egger (Penny) was suddenly lethargic today. She was still on the roost at 12pm and I had to lift her down.

Their water was empty, which I refilled, and our other four birds happily drank, but Penny kind of ignored it, even after I wet her beak.

I gave her some water from an eyedropper and she drank that, and then drank a little on her own. But she's still moving around slowly and fluffing up her feathers and closing her eyes.

I can't see anything wrong with her. Her eyes are bright, no issues with her vent, no smells. Is there anything else I can do?

Thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

How long were they without water? How old is she? Has she been laying eggs? Check her crop to see if it is empty and flat, or full and firm or puffy. I would make sure that she is drinking more water. Mix a little bowl of chicken feed with a lot of water ro make it runny, and offer that.

 

[Swiftbow]

I'm not sure. I forgot to check it yesterday, but it had water on Friday, I think.

Regardless, Penny is able to escape the side run and go over to our pond, which she did yesterday. So I think she drank on Saturday even if the tank was empty. It IS possible she hurt herself doing so, as her route involves jumping off our house roof into the grass. She has managed it a number of times without incident, but she did pull a wing muscle once a few months ago doing something else. (It got better)

I'm not completely familiar with checking a crop, but nothing seems engorged in her neck or breast area and her breath smells fine. I also inspected her for parasites, and she looks clean. She was born April 6th and has not laid any eggs yet. Her comb has remained pretty small and pink. We had three chickens in her group, the others are a wyandotte (also not laying) and a speckled sussex, who started but recently stopped.

Penny was able to get back on the roost by herself at bed time. I'll try making the mash you suggested tomorrow, but she had little interest in any food today.