Lethargic hen

[Angiebubs]

The past few days I have a hen thats jsut been a little off...going to roost earlier than everyone else..not going out to free range when given the opportunity, etc. Yesterday she started getting worse. She is sitting around sleeping all the time. I have seen her eat a little....her poop is runny...and she does seem to keep one eye closed most of the time.

I sprayed eye with vetrimycin, but am hesitant to give her any medication unless I know what is wrong with her. Could it be egg bound? She seems tohave droppings on her butt (Shes an black oprington) I beleive she is about 1 yr old...I havea completely closed flock. I haven't seperated and now I feel like its too late anyhow-as whatever is bugging her has exposed the rest of the flock if it was/is contagious.

It has been really warm her....no idea what else to do for her-any suggestions? What are the signs of being egg bound? How do you treat this? Would it stress her out more than its worth to try sticking her backside in a kiddie pool and cleaning her off?

 

[dawg53]

By your description, it's one of 3 things or a combination: Eggbound, lice/mites, worms.
Clean her vent area and visually inspect her for lice/mites, especially the vent area and base of her tail feathers. If you suspect eggbound; place her in a container of warm water up to her sides and gently massage her underside front to rear for about 20 minutes. You might have to repeat this procedure several times during the day if she's eggbound. Lastly, she could have worms if you've never wormed your birds. Safeguard liquid goat wormer or valbazen liquid cattle/sheep wormer are your best bets for worming chickens.

 

[Angiebubs]

Dawg-thanks for the response. I have had no signs of mites/lice-check my birds regularly and recently (2-3 wks ago) re -homed a roo that had been in my flock-(was told he was very clean-no signs of mites/lice by someone with many yrs experience). So I kinda ruled that one out.

I have not wormed my flock....so I was curious about this as well. However, she doesnt seem under weight? And would I see similair signs with the others in the flock?

I am thinking egg bound as well....she was acting broody a few days ago-I chased her out of the nest-wondering now if she wasnt jsut strugglign with passing an egg. I just came in from soaking her-although I only did it for 5 mins. It is so hot here I am worried I am stressing her out with this. But you said 20 mins? I will try doing this again in a hr or two when it cools off a little.

I am thinking of giving her some "Save a Chick" to give her a lil energy boost as well? She doesnt seem to be eating or drinking now either. I am thinking of cooking up an egg and see if that gives her some energy too.

Let me know if I am on the right track and any other suggestions you may have!!

Thanks again!!!!