lethargic partridge cochin almost 1 year old

[mintyivyy1]

Hi all,

I know a lot of iterations of this question are going around, but hoping I can be specific. She did run around a bit, dustbathe, but she's just "off" today. floofed up, more tired than usual, and one eye is closed, she wants to sleep standing up--she keeps tucking her head in I guess I'm trying to avoid the "rush her to the vet" scenario, because we've done that plenty of times and sometimes they are just guessing too.

My approach is: make sure her crop is OK (not impacted or sour), try to get a look at her poop, make sure she's eating and drinking. If I'm trying to determine what's going on with her crop, then shouldn't I not be feeding her? Seems contradictory. Maybe I only worry about that if the crop feels off--impacted or squishy?

do I get her inside right away so she's warm? do I try to treat the eye with some kind of drops or ointment even though I think it's a secondary symptom of her not feeling great? Should I get her electrolytes? It feels like there are so many suggestions out there I'm just not sure where to go with this.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Photos - the hen, her poop, eye?

How old is she?
When was the last egg?

Don't withhold food/water during waking hours. Let her eat if she's willing and see that she's drinking well. Electrolytes are fine to give if she's interested in those.

Check her crop first thing in the morning to see if it's emptied overnight.

Look her over for lice/mites.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

If I'm trying to determine what's going on with her crop, then shouldn't I not be feeding her? Seems contradictory.

Monitoring over night to make sure it empties is good.. But offering treats.. to see if they're interested as usual or completely disinterested can give clues. I do agree checking crop condition is a good place to start.. but it should be easy to tell if they're off food and water.

do I get her inside right away so she's warm? do I try to treat the eye with some kind of drops or ointment even though I think it's a secondary symptom of her not feeling great? Should I get her electrolytes? It feels like there are so many suggestions out there I'm just not sure where to go with this.

Are you in the US?

What are the temperatures where you are? Are her flock mates bullying her or still getting on fine?

What is her regular feed routine including treats and supplements?

When was her last egg? Can you hear any respiratory wheezing, see any snot on nostrils, or bubbles in eyes?

No, I wouldn't personally adminsister drops.. also considering it likely to be a secondary symtpom.. unless there becomes cause to think otherwise.

Any new additions or recent changes for your flock?

floofed up, more tired than usual, and one eye is closed, she wants to sleep standing up--she keeps tucking her head in I guess I'm trying to avoid the "rush her to the vet" scenario, because we've done that plenty of times and sometimes they are just guessing too

Common symptoms of coccidiosis.. while unexpected in mature birds on their standard property.. underlying hidden conditions like Marek's may allow it to rear up.. also some properties or flock may be prone to reoccuring "outbreaks".. other may be showing *more* resistance.. a simple fecal float can check coccidial load.. Some folks will treat anyways.. Using Corid.. still effective in many locations.. DON'T supplement B vitamins (thiamine) during treatment.

That being said.. if NOT treating for coccidiosis.. B complex is a great immune boosting addition. Other poultry supplements are also helpful.

 

[mintyivyy1]

Photos - the hen, her poop, eye?

How old is she?
When was the last egg?

Don't withhold food/water during waking hours. Let her eat if she's willing and see that she's drinking well. Electrolytes are fine to give if she's interested in those.

Check her crop first thing in the morning to see if it's emptied overnight.

Look her over for lice/mites.

I am about to upload photos. Her eyes look ok-- no discharge of any kind. She laid yesterday, and she's 10 months old. Helpful to hear all of this, no mites, and she ate and drank in front of me. She did have a big chunk of (totally normal looking) poop caked onto the feathers right below her vent, I slowly washed off with warm water. I imagine that was uncomfortable for her.

 

[mintyivyy1]

Monitoring over night to make sure it empties is good.. But offering treats.. to see if they're interested as usual or completely disinterested can give clues. I do agree checking crop condition is a good place to start.. but it should be easy to tell if they're off food and water.


Are you in the US?

What are the temperatures where you are? Are her flock mates bullying her or still getting on fine?

What is her regular feed routine including treats and supplements?

When was her last egg? Can you hear any respiratory wheezing, see any snot on nostrils, or bubbles in eyes?

No, I wouldn't personally adminsister drops.. also considering it likely to be a secondary symtpom.. unless there becomes cause to think otherwise.

Any new additions or recent changes for your flock?


Common symptoms of coccidiosis.. while unexpected in mature birds on their standard property.. underlying hidden conditions like Marek's may allow it to rear up.. also some properties or flock may be prone to reoccuring "outbreaks".. other may be showing *more* resistance.. a simple fecal float can check coccidial load.. Some folks will treat anyways.. Using Corid.. still effective in many locations.. DON'T supplement B vitamins (thiamine) during treatment.

That being said.. if NOT treating for coccidiosis.. B complex is a great immune boosting addition. Other poultry supplements are also helpful.

thanks so much. She is taking treats and I saw her eat and drink on her own. crop feels normal now and I will feel in am. Yes, in the US, temps are 40s, nothing crazy. She gets on well with the flock, if anything she's more dominant. She isn't bullied. She laid yesterday, no wheezing, no snot, no bubbles. She eats green mountain layer crumble and seems to like it, its free choice--so is grit and oyster shell. No changes to the flock.

Super helpful about b complex, maybe I'll get some of that.

 

[mintyivyy1]

Hi all,

I know a lot of iterations of this question are going around, but hoping I can be specific. She did run around a bit, dustbathe, but she's just "off" today. floofed up, more tired than usual, and one eye is closed, she wants to sleep standing up--she keeps tucking her head in I guess I'm trying to avoid the "rush her to the vet" scenario, because we've done that plenty of times and sometimes they are just guessing too.

My approach is: make sure her crop is OK (not impacted or sour), try to get a look at her poop, make sure she's eating and drinking. If I'm trying to determine what's going on with her crop, then shouldn't I not be feeding her? Seems contradictory. Maybe I only worry about that if the crop feels off--impacted or squishy?

do I get her inside right away so she's warm? do I try to treat the eye with some kind of drops or ointment even though I think it's a secondary symptom of her not feeling great? Should I get her electrolytes? It feels like there are so many suggestions out there I'm just not sure where to go with this.

here are some pics. she does have a hen saver on since we have a cockerel learning to do what he needs to do and he can be clumsy and pull out feathers. She was also doing this odd thing where she was trying to sit down and kept getting back up--but I wondered if I helped that by cleaning her bottom a bit. Also: vent looks good, moist, normal.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She looks pretty bright eyed to me.

Yes, she may have been doing an odd movement if she had caked up feathers. See if her bahavior improves.
It's always a good idea to investigate and observe when a hen is acting off.