Lethargic Hen

[Pine9]

I'm having a similar issue with my 3.5 month old roo. He's just not himself. Very slow and not interested in his favorite treats. Isolated and squishy croop. I'm very worried

That does sound a lot like Scram, who actually had an empty crop. The vet visit was at least somewhat helpful in that they gave her fluids and force-fed her, but if you can't get him to the vet then you might have to do those things yourself. I hope that he ends up feeling better.

Crushing up the antibiotics and putting them on pieces of grapes, her favorite treat, helped. We had to force feed the first one but after that she ate the smaller piece herself. Hydration, medication, and nutrition all in one go! I'm leaving her to sleep in the garage overnight, still in the dog crate, but I'm thinking of reintroducing her to the flock. I'm already briefed on how I can't eat her eggs, and will throw them away unless I'm 100% certain they're not hers. I'm a bit concerned that the others may pick on her, but chickens are social animals and I can't just leave her alone for so long. I could also set aside a section alongside her sisters so she can at least see them. What do you think? I will keep this thread updated on her situation. And I will try the oatmeal if she's still alright by morning. Thank you for the support!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad you were able to have her seen.

Depending on how she is in the morning, you may want to crate her in the run. This will still isolate her, but she can see and hear the others. But if you are gone all day, you may choose to do something different.

Please keep us posted on her progress.

 

[Pine9]

Scram is still alive this morning. I had to force feed the grape-antibiotic again and she didn't touch any other food I offered her, but she pecked away at the pellets she had spilled in the crate last night. She might have drank a little bit of water, but im not sure. I did initially lower her crate into the run, then block off a section to let her walk out, but she was so desperate to get to the rest of the flock that I had to let her. So now she's hanging out with the others and seems much happier. She is preening, pecking, or just laying on the ground, but not going for food and water. Her urine (which I thought was poop) has become a much paler yellow, which I think marks an improvement for her kidneys. My biggest concern right now is dehydration. I tried to dip her beak this morning to not much avail, but then again it was just a cup and not a proper water dish. I may try again this afternoon. How do I know if she is very dehydrated?

The vet did suggest metal poisoning, but I'm wondering about something else (especially since she mentioned how dehydrated Scram was). I bought a product called RatX that claims to be non-toxic and safe to use around livestock; it works by turning off the thrist sensors in the rat and dehydrating them. I put the saucer with those pellets under the shed, but they are still technically spottable and accessible. Frankly, a lot of pellets are still in the saucer and dont look like theyve been eaten by rat nor chicken. But still, I'm wondering because the last time they were let out it was by a family member so i wasnt there to watch them. And I don't know how many pellets it takes to "turn off" thirst, or how the hell I would turn it back on. She is a rather small chicken. Thoughts?

 

[sbhkma]

You may want to consider tube feeding her to makes sure she's hydrated and has nourishment. It's vitally important that she gets fluid in her system. She should be getting around 16 ounces a day and it sounds like she's getting nowhere near that. They go downhill shockingly fast at that point. Tube feeding is terrifying the first time or two you do it, but it may help your girl improve. There's an incredibly helpful thread on here https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/updated-go-team-tube-feeding.805728/ that will show you what to do. Hydration first. Then food. I use Kaytee high-fat baby bird food.Please let us know how she's doing.

 

[Pine9]

You may want to consider tube feeding her to makes sure she's hydrated and has nourishment. It's vitally important that she gets fluid in her system. She should be getting around 16 ounces a day and it sounds like she's getting nowhere near that. They go downhill shockingly fast at that point. Tube feeding is terrifying the first time or two you do it, but it may help your girl improve. There's an incredibly helpful thread on here https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/updated-go-team-tube-feeding.805728/ that will show you what to do. Hydration first. Then food. I use Kaytee high-fat baby bird food.Please let us know how she's doing.

Well, she has started eating the pellets with everyone else and just let loose a cecal poo. So food doesn't seem to be an issue but I still haven't seen her drink water so I may have to do something like that with a tube/syringe.

 

[sbhkma]

Sounds like she may be on the mend! That's great to hear.

 

[Jennifer E Taylor]

That does sound a lot like Scram, who actually had an empty crop. The vet visit was at least somewhat helpful in that they gave her fluids and force-fed her, but if you can't get him to the vet then you might have to do those things yourself. I hope that he ends up feeling better.

Crushing up the antibiotics and putting them on pieces of grapes, her favorite treat, helped. We had to force feed the first one but after that she ate the smaller piece herself. Hydration, medication, and nutrition all in one go! I'm leaving her to sleep in the garage overnight, still in the dog crate, but I'm thinking of reintroducing her to the flock. I'm already briefed on how I can't eat her eggs, and will throw them away unless I'm 100% certain they're not hers. I'm a bit concerned that the others may pick on her, but chickens are social animals and I can't just leave her alone for so long. I could also set aside a section alongside her sisters so she can at least see them. What do you think? I will keep this thread updated on her situation. And I will try the oatmeal if she's still alright by morning. Thank you for the support!

Johnny Ringo had already passed away early this morning before we could get him to the vet thank you for continuing to update us on Scram! I'm so glad she's starting to improve. Johnny went so fast...

 

[Pine9]

Johnny Ringo had already passed away early this morning before we could get him to the vet thank you for continuing to update us on Scram! I'm so glad she's starting to improve. Johnny went so fast...

I'm so sorry you lost your roo i cant imagine - i was gonna cry at the thought of getting Scram euthanized

I prepared a bowl of electrolyte solution and dipped her break in it (i doubt i could tube feed her without help), which appears to work as her drinking reflex kicks in. But she didn't drink voluntarily so I had to keep doing it. I'm not sure if it was enough (not even close to drinking the whole bowl, maybe put a miniscule dent in it), but hopefully it took the edge off and hopefully she'll start drinking on her own soon. If it counts for anything, she's getting a whole lot harder to catch! (this will make antibiotic doses a nightmare since i have to keep it up every 12 hours for 7 days)

 

[Jennifer E Taylor]

I'm so sorry you lost your roo i cant imagine - i was gonna cry at the thought of getting Scram euthanized

I prepared a bowl of electrolyte solution and dipped her break in it (i doubt i could tube feed her without help), which appears to work as her drinking reflex kicks in. But she didn't drink voluntarily so I had to keep doing it. I'm not sure if it was enough (not even close to drinking the whole bowl, maybe put a miniscule dent in it), but hopefully it took the edge off and hopefully she'll start drinking on her own soon. If it counts for anything, she's getting a whole lot harder to catch! (this will make antibiotic doses a nightmare since i have to keep it up every 12 hours for 7 days)

Yes, I can't believe how sad I am. The fact that your girl is getting energetic has to be a good sign!

 

[Pine9]

Great news - I just saw her drinking from the waterer! And she's a lot more sure-footed and active. She's free-ranging with the others as if nothing ever happened (i was sure to pick up nails, block access to the RatX, and keep a close eye on them).