lethargic, watery poop

[kcallis]

Hello, I'm hoping someone will have an idea of what might be wrong with my 1 yr old RIR hen, named Rhubarb. She is a free-range backyard pet in Florida (warm and sunny) along with her 3 sisters. Three days ago she started being lethargic, not coming out from under a bush for scratch. I've seen her walk right past the scratch (which the chickens love, and we feed them one handfull a day) without eating it. I've not yet seen her eat, but she is drinking. Her crop feels slightly small, but still "grainy" so I'm hoping she's eating when I'm not looking. I'm not sure about her egg laying, but we have her in the chicken tractor alone since yesterday, and there has yet to be an egg. Her poop is mostly watery and runny, but a lot of smelly white pool accumulates on her tail feathers, which we've been washing off. Her tail droops and she's not extending her neck out very far. I've checked her over for external problems, and there seem to be no visible cuts/bumps... I'm thinking either a sour crop or eggbound, but wanted to see what other people have to suggest. Thank you in advance.

 

[Lesa]

Certainly sounds like egg bound. I would try soaking her in a tub of warm water. It might help her "pass" the egg... Good luck!

 

[dawg53]

Egg bound is a possiblity. Also, inspect her for lice/mites. It's also possible she might need worming.