Lethargic Hen

[chickfam]

I have an 8 month old Barred Rock hen who has become lethargic today. While the rest of the flock was out scratching and taking dust baths, she has been hanging out alone, sleeping on the ground. She also has some clear liquid coming out of one nostril. She did lay an egg today at some point, and she is willing to eat when we put food right in front of her. She also did make it up to the roosting pole with the rest of the girls.

After reading some posts here, we pulled her out and put her alone in case she has something contagious. We also put some apple cider in her water. We've only had chickens for about a year and this is our first sick one. Am I over reacting? Should we do something else for her? Or put her back with the rest of the flock?

 

[Michael Apple]

Check the crop to see if it is hard and swollen or bloated with liquid. Look at the vent to see if there's diarrhea.

 

[chickfam]

I'm not an expert, but the crop doesn't feel swollen to me. I just checked on her and she's now coughing. The clear liquid is bubbling out of one nostril.

Her vent also looks okay. The feathers under the vent are a little dirty, but they don't seem too bad.

 

[Michael Apple]

Lots of folks sure seem to be having respiratory trouble these days. I would pick up some Chlortetracycline and Gallimycin soluble powder plus some Vet-RX Poultry Remedy from the feed store. The Vet-RX will keep the sinus passages open allowing the antibiotics to reach the point of infection. Set the bottle of Vet-RX in a glass of hot water for a few minutes and put a drop in each nostril of the chicken every morning while doing an antibiotic water treatment. Take equal parts Chlortetracycline and Gallimycin, mix together dry in a jar and give 1 teaspoon per gallon of water every day for 14 days. 1/4 cup of cranberry juice added per gallon of water has a good amount of vitamin c which helps with the absorption of "cycline" antibiotics, plus bird's seem to like the taste.That is the route to go if you are uncomfortable with Tylan 50 as an injectible which is 1/2 cc just under the skin on the back of the bird's neck with a 25 gauge needle. If the bird weighs more than 5 lbs., use an additional injection of 1/2 cc in the breast muscle. The rule I use with meds or antibiotics is that if I don't see improvement in 3 days, I use a different med/antibiotic based on the symptoms. I hope that helps.

 

[chickfam]

Should I keep her separated from the others? If so, for how long?

 

[Michael Apple]

Until symptoms are gone. Make sure the bird isn't in a confined area. The bird should be able to get up and walk around, not be subject to a noisy, stressful environment (kids running around, loud music, dogs etc.). Keep the area free of collective droppings. A roost or nesting area is beneficial too.

 

[chickfam]

Well, we just woke up and went to check on her and she has stopped coughing and the runny nose seems to be gone. We're off to work and school soon so I think I'll keep her separated for the day and see how she looks when we get home. Thanks for all the advice!