lethargic, puffy chicken

[chickenpeeple]

My about 2 1/2 year old Black Australorp hen, Suzie, is really lethargic, has a puffy face, doesn't show interest in food, and her feathers are all puffed up. We quarantined her and cleaned the food and water containers in the coop she was in. Any advise?

 

[BlueBaby]

Do you have a picture of her in her current condition that you could post here to show us? Maybe that would help us to to help you to discover what is wrong with her.

 

[chickenpeeple]

ok I will try

 

[chickenpeeple]

my camera isn't working. she is kind of hunched up, puffy, and when I picked her up she was really limp. she doesn't show interest in food and her face is kind of puffy. she normally is curious about everything and loves to peck at stuff.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Picture would really help ...
Possible Respiratory Infection, does she have any discharge from her eyes? Nostrils?
Check there crop, in the morning & evenings. Try wetting her feed, or moist cat food, or scrambled eggs, or tuna, or salmon. Nutri Drench may help give her a boost.
Is she pooping? Could we get a picture of that too ...
When was the last time she laid?
Have you checked her vent area?

 

[EggWalrus]

Has she ever been broody?

 

[chickenpeeple]

no she has never been broody. no discharge. how do you check their crop? I will try to get a picture in the morning.

 

[chickenpeeple]

oh, and I think she is pooping and I don't think she's laid in a while. it's had to tell because most of our chickens lay brown eggs. I haven't checked her vent yet.

 

[EggWalrus]

@Eggcessive
@Texas Kiki
@casportpony
One of our fine senior Chickenologists will along shortly , and have no fear, help is on the way!

 

[Cragg Klefor]

To check her crop: Keep food and water away from her tonight, then first thing in the morning before she eats or drinks anything, feel her crop (on right side of her breast below her neckline) It should be completely empty. During the day and until roosting time the crop should have food and water in it and can feel soft, hard, squishy and all kinds of ways. But first thing in the morning it should be empty. If it is not empty there is a problem.

Where in the world are you located? Is it summer or winter? A sick chicken must be kept warm. If it is cold where you are can you bring her inside? If it is warm have you any way of separating her inside the coop? To figure out what is ailing her you need to be able to monitor her poop, water and food intake, and laying or not. Lots use a dog crate and place it inside the coop. (Left in the coop you don't mess with the pecking order).

Don't worry, much more experienced people will be along to help you out. Best wishes!