I have a 5.5 yo RIR who started standing in one place, very puffed. This was on Thursday afternoon. Before this, she was perfectly fine. Very active, running about the garden with her hen buddies. She has been on the thin side for the past few months but she is at the end of her molt and she never eats much during a molt.
Currently, she appears very fluffed with her tail pointed down (picture below). Her eyes and nostrils are clear. Breathing is quiet. No mites or lice that I can see. Her crop looks large to me, but she has had a "pendulous" crop for the last year or so. The crop feels empty but not squishy or hard. Her abdomen is firm but not hard. She still is eating and drinking, not much, and in small bites. Droppings are more liquid than solid. Yellowish urates with green solids. Occasionally she snoozes but she is mostly awake and aware. Stands more than sits. She hasn't been a regular layer for several years and hasn't laid an egg since July. She has been inside for the past two nights because it has been so cold. I bring her outside for an hour or two in the warmest part of the day and she sunbathes and grooms herself, which I hope is a good sign.
Can someone help me with this? I am stumped. I don't want her to suffer because she is such a friendly, sweet girl. I called four vets and the earliest appointment I can get is this Friday. Vets here are pushed to their limits because of the surge in pet ownership since the pandemic. My poor chicken is low on the list to be seen by one.
I am having her stools tested for parasites today. We've had a very warm, wet fall and summer so maybe this is the problem?
Any guidance from an experienced chicken owner would be very much appreciated.
Gail
Currently, she appears very fluffed with her tail pointed down (picture below). Her eyes and nostrils are clear. Breathing is quiet. No mites or lice that I can see. Her crop looks large to me, but she has had a "pendulous" crop for the last year or so. The crop feels empty but not squishy or hard. Her abdomen is firm but not hard. She still is eating and drinking, not much, and in small bites. Droppings are more liquid than solid. Yellowish urates with green solids. Occasionally she snoozes but she is mostly awake and aware. Stands more than sits. She hasn't been a regular layer for several years and hasn't laid an egg since July. She has been inside for the past two nights because it has been so cold. I bring her outside for an hour or two in the warmest part of the day and she sunbathes and grooms herself, which I hope is a good sign.
Can someone help me with this? I am stumped. I don't want her to suffer because she is such a friendly, sweet girl. I called four vets and the earliest appointment I can get is this Friday. Vets here are pushed to their limits because of the surge in pet ownership since the pandemic. My poor chicken is low on the list to be seen by one.
I am having her stools tested for parasites today. We've had a very warm, wet fall and summer so maybe this is the problem?
Any guidance from an experienced chicken owner would be very much appreciated.
Gail
Sorry. I think I missed that.
