Lethargic Hen with Pale Comb

[Alden Chickens]

With the probiotics in the water and some one on one hand feeding the "pale comb" seems to be a bit perkier. She loves the pumpkin seeds and we have been letting her have the starter/grower instead of the layer feed- she also loves that! We deep cleaned the pen yesterday and dusted for mites. We'll see how it goes. Thanks to all for the advice. Do you think in another year or two we might feel confident as chicken owners?

 

[gratzalk]

I'm new to "foruming" so bear with me, but I was surffing around and came upon this discussion. My problem is that one of my chickens (free-range) is very lathargic and panting. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what it might be and what I should do?

 

[gratzalk]

I'm new to the "foruming" so bear with me. I have a chicken that has become lathargic and is panting. It's not too hot out yet, so that's not it. She's essentially hiding under a bush and not moving much. Any thoughts or suggetions?

 

[Michael Apple]

I'm new to the "foruming" so bear with me. I have a chicken that has become lathargic and is panting. It's not too hot out yet, so that's not it. She's essentially hiding under a bush and not moving much. Any thoughts or suggetions?

Pick the bird up and feel the crop to see if it is hard and full or large and squishy like a water balloon. Get a q-tip and look in the bird's mouth to the back of the throat. Look to see if there's any yellow plaque or y-shaped minute red worms after you insert the q-tip and swab the back of the throat. Look over the bird's body for mites or lice especially under the wings and around the vent. Observe to see if the bird has a pasty vent or diarrhea. Let us know what you have observed after doing these things.

 

[gratzalk]

Thank you so much for replying. I just checked her crop and it's not hard and full, and it's not very large but it is squishy like the water balloon. I Q-tipped her throat and it looked clean and the swab came out clean. I checked for lice or mites around the wings and by the vent and didn't see any however, it's really hard to get down deep very good. She's very big and very fluffy. I can't remember the type but she's black with a hint of brown (very pretty) and very large and fluffy; also has feathers on the feet. She definitely has diarrhea and there's yellowish poo there around the vent, however, inasmuch as she's was just laying under a bush almost all day, I decidied to put her in a cage in the garage and gave her a bit of banana and used a syringe to get some water down her. A short time later, she "went" and it was essentially, water. Any thought? Thanks again.

 

[Michael Apple]

Your bird sounds like a Cochin from the description. It sounds like the problem could be coccidiosis or a bacterial infection in the intestines. Avoid giving bananas or other treats for now. Keep the bird warm (60 degree room in the house is good). Put the bird out in an area to walk around where there is nothing to dine on during the day if you have time and watch its behavior. If the bird is drinking on it's own, I'd get some Sulfadimethoxine soluble powder from the feed store. I use the Durvet brand which is 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water for 3 days only. Water down some plain yogurt just enough to moisten some crumbles without grit or oyster shell. Give the bird a few tablespoons 2-3 times a day. Sulfadimethoxine is an antibacterial which also works against intestinal strains of coccidia. Keep us posted.

 

[Alden Chickens]

Update on "Pale Comb" (her new name). After using pumpkin seeds for worming and treating for mites and using probiotics in the water she really started eating, has gained weight and is now back to laying eggs. She is still low girl on the pecking order list but seems a little more willing to fight for her rights. Thanks again to all for your help and suggestions.

 

[Megan Amber]

That is good to hear. I always wondered if the pumpkin seed thing really worked so that is awesome to hear that it seemed to work for you!

 

[CarlaJeanchickenlady]

I have purchased rooster booster and been mixing in water but still no improvement with my hen with the exact same symptoms! My other 3 are fine, what should I buy to help???