Lethargic hen, not even responding to treats! Help!!

[Ruby_Greedy_Prissy]

My little Ruby is usually a very social and curious bird. But - since yesterday, she's been acting very lethargic and slow. She doesn't greet me when I go visit her (unusual), and her little head appears to be very close to her body (like she doesn't want to stick out her neck). She is moving very slowly. Admittedly, it's been warm, but her area has plenty of water and there is shade throughout the day.

I thought maybe her GI is bothering her so I gave her some yogurt, normally one of her FAVORITE treats, but she didn't respond to the yogurt. She didn't eat the yogurt out of the spoon (which she usually does), and didn't eat any when I put the yogurt down in front of her. She's not making eye contact as usual. Little Ruby hasn't laid an egg in like two weeks.

I'll go home and gave her some diluted Gatorade for sugar and electrolytes, and move her inside so the other birds don't get what she has, in case it's contagious.

Anyone know what might be wrong with my little bird, and what I might do about her? She shares her area with four sisters (all from the same place), and to the best of my knowledge, I don't think they have been vaccinated. It doesn't look like she has an egg stuck in her "vent"...though I have no real idea. No bloody stool in the run. What might be wrong, and what can I do?

Thanks, chicken community!
Amy

 

[Judy]

I don't know that there is much more you can do than what you're doing. Maybe some vitamins. And I certainly don't know what's wrong. But this will give you a bump. Sorry you are going through this.

 

[jjthink]

How often doesshe usually lay an egg? If more often that you're seeing now she may well be eggbound or an internal layer. Both are serious conditions needing tending quickly?What is her diet? Does she have oyster shell available? How are her stools? Could she have worms?

My hen Ellie got very lethargic last September - brought herto thevet - she had blood work consistent w/infection and/or inflammation. Vet treated those symptoms w/antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. Honestly, I don't think she would have made it otherwise.

So hard to know what's wrong w/Ruby w/o more info/diagnostics...
JJ

 

[Ruby_Greedy_Prissy]

I got little Ruby as a hen in April or so. And when I first got her, she laid an egg a day. But in the past couple of weeks, her egg laying slowed to about one per two or three days. And she hasn't laid an egg in this past week. Is there any creedence to hens laying differently when the weather turns warmer?

Her routine diet consists of crumble, and she does have oyster shells available. I'll keep an eye out for stools, though looking around, there do not appear to be worms in the stools that are in the yard.

Thank you SO much for your warm and thoughtful advice!

 

[jjthink]

Hugs for Ruby

Is her comb nice and red or pale compared to normal?

Not responding to treats is really not good.....see avian vet if possible.

JJ

 

[Ruby_Greedy_Prissy]

I did notice that her comb appears to have a lost a little luster - does this mean something?