Lethargic Hen

[Zoom Zoom]

I was just reading another post which struck home because it mentioned that external parasites can cause a hen to be lethargic, have runny poops and pale comb and wattles. Here is a bit of background. My Annie, a 13 month old BO hen, has had ear mites for a little over three weeks. She was shaking her head and doing a lot of just sitting. I couldn't find evidence of ear mites so took her to the vet who was able to see the mites. He had me put a drop of Ivermectin followed by a drop of mineral oil in each ear weekly. She started this treatment July 2nd. The problem didn't improve then I read on BYC that Ivermectin isn't effective on ear mites. The only product I could find locally was No Bite Ear Mite Control which I started this past Monday. The head shaking has improved a tiny bit but she is still very lethargic. Her poops are liquid, her comb and wattles are pale, she holds her tail down part of the time and she sits a lot, at times closing her eyes like she is falling asleep. She has also lost weight, I'm guessing a couple pounds. I keep a lawn chair in the run and she will jump on my lap and fall asleep. She is eating and joins the others for treats. She scratches and dust bathes. I have not seen her drinking but not with them enough to know for sure. I don't think she is laying eggs since I'm only getting five a day. She goes to the roost at least 30 minutes before the others (I have six total) and I have to help her off the roost in the mornings. If I don't, she flies into the wall. When I go into the coop after she is on the roost, I talk to her and rub her back and head - she coos softly, continuously. Because of her watery poop and several others with soft poop and the fact that they hadn't been wormed since last November I thought they might have worms so gave them the first dose of SafeGuard this past Monday. (However, it seems every time I give them treats other than meal worms or scratch, their poop is soft. Watermelon, fruit, leafy greens, yogurt, anything causes a real mess to clean in the morning.It has always been this way.) I started putting Rooster Booster with vitamins and probiotics in their water yesterday thinking it might help Annie. Could all of this be caused by the ear mites? Is there anything I can do to make her more comfortable? Is there something else I should check for? She is such a sweetie, I hate to see her like this. Thanks for reading this long post and for any suggestions and/or advice.

 

[tearooster]

Hi there! I would first go but some 7-Dust and then cover her all over in it. Mixing through her feathers too. This will kill any mites or lice that are on her. You can find 7-Dust at Homedepot and other hardware stores. See if this helps Oh! Clean the coops and any place that they nest. Then cover the coops (nesting boxes) in it aswell.

 

[Zoom Zoom]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've checked her body several times for mites and didn't see any but it's worth a try. I have some here so will dust her this evening.

 

[Zoom Zoom]

I am really worried about Annie. Something is definitely wrong. Here is where we are at:

- Checked her again last night for external parasites and again didn't see anything. I dusted her with Sevin anyway.
- Head shaking seems to be a little worse this afternoon
- Her feathers are fluffed for the first time this afternoon
- She has lost weight
- Still sits a lot
- Poop is water - the sand on the poop board looks wet like a liquid has been poured on it. There is nothing to photograph or take to the vet to examine
- I am going to put a piece of wax paper on the poop board under her tonight. Hopefully there will be something I can take to the vet
- Haven't seen her drinking water. Going to bring the waterer to the run tomorrow and sit out there to watch.
- Due next Monday for second dose of No-More-Itch ear drops for mites
- First dose of SafeGuard last Monday
- Rooster Booster in their water. Can/should I add ACV along with the Rooster Booster? I don't want to overdo it and make her worse
- Would Sav-A-Chick Probiotics and Electrolytes be better?
- I bought some Activia yogurt this morning - is it OK to give it to her now?
- She is eating layer pellets
- She jumps in with the others for treats (frozen watermelon today)
- The other five hens are fine.
- I thoroughly cleaned and sanitized the coop and put in new bedding this morning for the second time (cleaned it last weekend too)
- I am going to try to figure out how to put a video on u-tube so I can send it to BYC. Maybe I'm missing a symptom.

I don't know what else to do - I'm at a loss.

Can somebody please tell me if I'm doing something wrong or if there is more I should do.
Thank you so very much - I am so afraid I'm going to lose her.
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