Lethargic Pullet

[redhen689]

About a week ago I noticed that one of my pullets, about 10 weeks old, seemed more lethargic than the rest. Her eyes were often closed, and it appeared if she were sleeping most of the time. She was still eating and drinking though and able to get up on the roost.
The last couple of days she seems much weaker. I brought her in the house for a few minutes Monday evening to try to get her to drink some electrolyte/probiotic solution, which she did sip on a bit. (She did poop while I had her in the house, and the poop looked normal.
Last night when I got home from work, she was huddled in the corner of the coop. I brought her in and gave her more of the electrolyte/probiotic solution, mixed with a tiny bit of yogurt. I put her back in the coop over night. This morning she continues to be lethargic. She eagerly takes a few sips of the electrolyte/yogurt mix and then goes back to sleep.

Does anyone have any idea what my be causing this? Ideas for treatment?

 

[azygous]

About all your chicken's symptoms can tell us is that she's very sick. It could be anything from a serious virus to a bacterial infection, from coccidiosis to a crop disorder.

Lets's start at the top with the most easily treatable condition - crop disorder. What does her crop feel like? Flat and empty or full and spongy? Nearly empty with a hard lump? Does she have an odor like sauerkraut around her head?

Does she free-range? Does she spend any time in a compost pile? What has your weather been like? Wet? Have you checked around for mold anywhere? In damp weather, mold can cause chickens to get sick.

 

[redhen689]

Thank you for your response. Her crop seems rather empty. My chickens do free-range. Our weather has been typical summer weather for Pennsylvania, hot, humid...
There are 4 other pullets in my flock and all seem healthy.
There is a chance that she got into the compost, but the birds usually don't spend much time there.
I just read up on coccidiosis, and am thinking of trying to treat her for that. I've read that it doesn't always cause bloody stools.

 

[micstrachan]

I feel like I keep saying this on several of the threads, perhaps because this year’s spring chicks are at a certain age, but I would probably treat for coccidiosis. Can you have a fecal float done by a Vet? They don’t necessarily have to see the animal to perform the test.
Are they just integrated or exposed to an existing flock?

 

[redhen689]

It's a long story, but I had predator problems this spring, and had to start fresh with new birds. There are no older birds in the flock at this time, but they are in an old coop, and free range in the same area. (It's woodland, not pasture.)

 

[micstrachan]

That reinforces my coccidiosis thought. Sorry about your losses.

 

[Flockandfowl46]

Start with corid but if you do you can't give electrolytes because it counteracts the solution these other guys have great advice

 

[redhen689]

I just got back from the store with a bottle of Corid, and did the calculations. I'm going to start it now.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

I just got back from the store with a bottle of Corid, and did the calculations. I'm going to start it now.

Good luck! I hope she gets better.

 

[redhen689]

She is looking worse. I think I'm losing her.