Lethargic Hen/Broken beak, Is this the end?

[EHook518]

She came from a reputable breeder and she is the youngest and best bred of my birds. I only have five and to keep peace in the coop I have one 6' roost that they share. She has a buddy who I hatched in my classroom, they sit on one end and the other three sit on the other most of the time (sometimes they are all together). The nice thing about a small flock is that there is minimal picking. When I was away they all were kept in the coop and run, they were not let out so there is no chance that she could have been injured by door or other. Now she does have a reputation for flying into the wire mesh at random times. That is the only thing I can think of that would have happened. We have a fox that has been lurking around, maybe he startled them. I love her but she does some silly things that amaze me! I really hope she is just stressed. Thank you all for you advice. I will keep you posted, as for now she is happily sleeping in the guestroom.

 

[EHook518]

Update: Hattie is looking better this morning. She pooped a few times last night and it all looks normal. She is drinking well but still just picking at her food. She spent some time preening herself and the scratching in her bedding. She isn't standing like she was yesterday all balled up, she looks relaxed. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[psimons2004]

I agree completely! I have a bird that broke her top beak completely off up to her nostrils which even ripped. I have no idea how she did it, but we kept it clean and applied the occasional antiseptic balm, and let her be a 'kitchen chicken' for a week or so until she started acting normally and I was convinced she was eating. (bag balm is my favorite for the birds) It's been almost 2 years. It never grew back but she does just fine and is one of the heavier, healthier birds in our flock of 20. It didn't seem to even affect the pecking order. Birds do get stressed out though. Every year I get mad at my husband for shooting off 4th of July fireworks in the backyard because then I don't get any eggs for at least a week! I wonder if she is about to start laying and that may account for her 'moult' like attitude. Best of luck!!!

 

[EHook518]

Thought I would post a picture of Hattie today. She has made a little nest in the carrier. I gave her another bath and some olive oil, which she was fussy about (much more herself today). She has normal poops, still not eating great but was really interested in some shredded cabbage. DH is bringing home yogurt for her

.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I am glad she is doing so much better! A little TLC can go a long way with chickens.

 

[EHook518]

Ok so I am not feeling so positive today. Hattie finally ate some yogurt and pumpkin puree, she was pretty interested in it. However, not drinking as much or pooping as much. Her poop is a little watery and really dark green (not bright green but like a hunter green). She barely ate yesterday so I imagine that is effecting her poop. She is more lethargic too. I took her outside this morning to get some fresh air. She was not interested in moving around until I had to pick her up then she was trotting away from me (normally she runs!). Otherwise she has been either standing or laying down and just closing her eyes. When she does this she will open her beak and take in a breath, what does this mean? She isn't wheezing, if I am really quiet I can hear her take a breath. She is also laying on her side slightly, thought it was the bedding but I watched her droop her right wing and roll slightly. She was not doing this yesterday. Can anyone help? I bought some safeguard wormer but haven't given it to her, should I or is this unrelated to worms? I have felt her abdomen and around her vent, nothing different but she is not so happy about it (she didn't care before). Help!

 

[Pozees]

Ok so I am not feeling so positive today. Hattie finally ate some yogurt and pumpkin puree, she was pretty interested in it. However, not drinking as much or pooping as much. Her poop is a little watery and really dark green (not bright green but like a hunter green). She barely ate yesterday so I imagine that is effecting her poop. She is more lethargic too. I took her outside this morning to get some fresh air. She was not interested in moving around until I had to pick her up then she was trotting away from me (normally she runs!). Otherwise she has been either standing or laying down and just closing her eyes. When she does this she will open her beak and take in a breath, what does this mean? She isn't wheezing, if I am really quiet I can hear her take a breath. She is also laying on her side slightly, thought it was the bedding but I watched her droop her right wing and roll slightly. She was not doing this yesterday. Can anyone help? I bought some safeguard wormer but haven't given it to her, should I or is this unrelated to worms? I have felt her abdomen and around her vent, nothing different but she is not so happy about it (she didn't care before). Help!

I wonder if a soak in warm water would perk her up. Don't know. When she trotted did you detect her favoring a leg? How does her crop feel? Any nasal discharge? How is the color of her comb and face? Do you have any chick electrolytes you can add to her water?

 

[EHook518]

She is walking and trotting normal. I have done a thorough inspection of her body, no apparent injury besides her beak. He comb is pretty red, but so are my other hens. No discharge from nose or eyes. Her crop feels pretty empty, I really wish she would eat more. I have added electrolytes, had ACV in her water before. I am stumped. I think I have read about 100 threads trying to diagnose poor Hattie. Back to soaking.

 

[Pozees]

She is walking and trotting normal. I have done a thorough inspection of her body, no apparent injury besides her beak. He comb is pretty red, but so are my other hens. No discharge from nose or eyes. Her crop feels pretty empty, I really wish she would eat more. I have added electrolytes, had ACV in her water before. I am stumped. I think I have read about 100 threads trying to diagnose poor Hattie. Back to soaking.

We need to get coloradogal to chime in, she has helped many chickens with natural methods. The red comb is a good sign, if it was faded I would be more concerned. She may need something she isn't getting from the food you've offered so far - maybe protein, which might be addressed by scrambled eggs, that's easy enough to try. Have to see if I can find coloradogal to help. Keep us posted.

 

[EHook518]

We need to get coloradogal to chime in, she has helped many chickens with natural methods. The red comb is a good sign, if it was faded I would be more concerned. She may need something she isn't getting from the food you've offered so far - maybe protein, which might be addressed by scrambled eggs, that's easy enough to try. Have to see if I can find coloradogal to help. Keep us posted.

I have made a mash of yogurt, pumpkin puree, ground layer feed, and scrambled eggs. She is not interested. Tried just scrambled eggs the other day, wouldn't even touch it. I will give it a go again. Hate feeling helpless.