lethargic, slow, "depressed" chicken, please help!!!

[paoniapoultry]

I have a beautiful white Ameracauna hen who has turned slow, lethargic, and depressed. I just noticed this yesterday, and last night she didn't want to go into the coop, so she slept with some broody hens in the special nesting place.

She is about 5 months old and is just beginning to lay. Last night she laid a shell-less egg (membrane only) with 3 yolks, sort of spilling out of it. I assume this is normal as she is just beginning to lay???

She doesn't seem to be eating or drinking much, and I could say that her newly reddened comb is taking on a purplish tinge.

I have been keeping chickens for around a year and have a healthy flock of about 100. Free range, plenty of room and greens, good food, sunlight, great care. I have never had a chicken act like this, but I am a "newbie". Please help, I love her, she is so sweet!

I isolated her and fed her a special mash with oats, milk, comfrey leaf, and alfalfa this morning...

suggestions....

thanks so much!

emily

 

[FoxhallFarm]

Hi there. I am no expert but I have read that the comb turning purple could be indicative of liver problems. Could she have drank some soiled water or is there any possibility that a rat could have gotten near their water or feed. I know it is quite normal for new layers to take a little while to find the perfect egg laying rythym but the soft shell could mean she is lacking in calcium. Is there a supply of oyster shell available to the birds? Or maybe some one can recommend a good water soluable tonic. My one and only araucana pullet died very unexpectedly 2 days ago, I haven't figured out what happened but I suspect some bullying ducks may have played a part! I really hope you don't lose her, best of luck.

 

[paoniapoultry]

Thanks! Surely, since she is free range she could have drank something funky. And there is certainly the possibility of rat, mouse, vole, etc around their food or water (and they probably eat baby voles and mice). Although I do try to keep their water clean by scrubbing the waterers once per day.

What happens if there is contact with rodents? Rodent diseases?

Any liver cleansing suggestions anyone? or yes, water soluble tonics? home remedies are easiest for me...

although she is not interested in food or water it seems right now...

thanks so much!

 

[Sissy]

I have raised my flock on 2tablespoons of ACV( apple cider vinegar) into their gal. of drinking water
and have never had a problem (knock on wood)
I also maintain a large water bucket with some clorax bleach not too much.that it has a bleach odor.
that I dip their waters in before each refreshing
water refill.

 

[FoxhallFarm]

If she has no interest in her usual feed right now you could try her with just some wet bread. If she eats that she will also get some fluid.