Lethargic hen, puffed, sleepy

[guest226]

My hen has never laid an egg in her 4 years of life dispite being healthy. She is like a chicken mystery. No she does not have any reproductive issues known that have affected her. Her belly is flat.

Today I noticed she is acting sleepy, with puffed head feathers and a downwards tail. She’s been like this but since she’s a shy chicken by nature I didn’t suspect anything. But today she seems to be dozing off and looks puffed up. Her crop is empty.

She ate rice and wet feed when i offered it, and she drinks water on her own. Her poop is small because she naturally doesn’t eat much but it was kind of soft and a little yellow. She has no respiratory symptoms.

she’s letting me touch her and hold her a lot which is unlike her. She can walk normally but shes slowish and seems sluggish.

Should I deworm her with Safeguard? I only have powder form Terramycin. It’s incredibly hard for me to isolate hens.

It is hot today, not cold (around 90 degrees F). Usually when its hot she is active and her feathers are down.

@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
@azygous

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hi! Do you see any missing patches of feathers? Between her shoulder blades? Could she be starting a molt?

 

[guest226]

Hi! Do you see any missing patches of feathers? Between her shoulder blades? Could she be starting a molt?

She finished a molt and grew back her feathers a couple weeks ago.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

She finished a molt and grew back her feathers a couple weeks ago.

And she isn't broody? When I hear puffed up and raises head feathers I think broody

 

[guest226]

And she isn't broody? When I hear puffed up and raises head feathers I think broody

Shes not broody, she has never laid an egg and hasn't even stepped foot into the nesting box. Shes acting lethargic and seems to be in discomfort.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

Shes not broody, she has never laid an egg and hasn't even stepped foot into the nesting box. Shes acting lethargic and seems to be in discomfort.

Poor girl! @Kiki @Wyorp Rock

 

[guest226]

My hen has never laid an egg in her 4 years of life dispite being healthy. She is like a chicken mystery. No she does not have any reproductive issues known that have affected her. Her belly is flat.

Today I noticed she is acting sleepy, with puffed head feathers and a downwards tail. She’s been like this but since she’s a shy chicken by nature I didn’t suspect anything. But today she seems to be dozing off and looks puffed up. Her crop is empty.

She ate rice and wet feed when i offered it, and she drinks water on her own. Her poop is small because she naturally doesn’t eat much but it was kind of soft and a little yellow. She has no respiratory symptoms.

she’s letting me touch her and hold her a lot which is unlike her. She can walk normally but shes slowish and seems sluggish.

Should I deworm her with Safeguard? I only have powder form Terramycin. It’s incredibly hard for me to isolate hens.

It is hot today, not cold (around 90 degrees F). Usually when its hot she is active and her feathers are down.

@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock
@azygous

Additional note: this morning a small waterer fell over (not on top of any of my hens) which spooked them all. She seemed to be busy eating in the morning according to my camera. Is it normal for a chicken to be lethargic after shock or stress?

 

[Belovedturkey]

Have you checked for water belly, it sounds like that could be an option. I recommend probiotics in her water if that doesn’t bother her, and if she does happen to be bloated you could try soaking her in Epsom salt.l, I hear sometimes constipation can make a hen lethargic, or maybe she is egg bound somehow though it doesn’t sound likely in her case.

 

[guest226]

Have you checked for water belly, it sounds like that could be an option. I recommend probiotics in her water if that doesn’t bother her, and if she does happen to be bloated you could try soaking her in Epsom salt.l, I hear sometimes constipation can make a hen lethargic, or maybe she is egg bound somehow though it doesn’t sound likely in her case.

her belly feels flat and she has diluted probiotics in her water! i don't believe she is egg bound but im keeping a close watch on her body

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Today I noticed she is acting sleepy, with puffed head feathers and a downwards tail. She’s been like this but since she’s a shy chicken by nature I didn’t suspect anything. But today she seems to be dozing off and looks puffed up.

She ate rice and wet feed when i offered it, and she drinks water on her own. Her poop is small because she naturally doesn’t eat much

She seemed to be busy eating in the morning according to my camera.

So she's pretty much back to normal?

I wouldn't worry too much, sound like she's eating/drinking o.k.