Lethargic, weak, droopy tail: 8mo old laying hen

[Alisa717]

Hey all,

I’ve only had chicken for 8 months. They are in a coop and also free range during the day. I came home yesterday and my phantom chicken was stumbling, weak, falling down, and she looks quite skinny. She hasn’t been laying eggs for the past three weeks because of the cold weather and short days. We’re keeping her warm and giving her Epsom salt baths. She only wants to eat watermelon. Her crop seems OK may be a little bit harder than normal. My friend thinks she feels an egg, but isn’t sure. I can’t feel an egg. I think if I can’t figure it out, she might not make it. Any advice would be so greatly appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she 8 months old or older? Does she normally lay eggs with hard shells, and have you seen any soft shells recently? Can you give her some electrolytes or 2 ml of Poultry NutriDrench? If you think she might be egg bound you could give her a human calcium tablet or a Tums orally. She may have stopped laying during the short days of winter, or she could be sick. How does her crop feel early in the morning before she has taken any food or water? It should be empty and flat then. Check it tomorrow and let us know. Could the other chickens be keeping her from eating or drinking? What does her poop look like? Pictures of her and her droppings are welcome. Stop soaking her since it could push a weak hen over edge. Instead, give the calcium and keep her on a warm towel.

 

[Alisa717]

Thank you so much. She is eight months old and she was laying hard shells. The other hens are not keeping her from eating or drinking. She only wants to eat watermelon so her poops are watermelon color. She’s eating a little. She’s very wobbly on her feet so I think she is definitely very sick. She falls down when walking. She’s getting very skinny.

 

[Alisa717]

Thank you so much. She is eight months old and she was laying hard shells. The other hens are not keeping her from eating or drinking. She only wants to eat watermelon so her poops are watermelon color. She’s eating a little. She’s very wobbly on her feet so I think she is definitely very sick. She falls down when walking. She’s getting very skinny.

She’s also a bantam Easter egger so she’s extra small already.

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you post pictures of her droppings and her? How does her crop feel in early morning before she eats or drinks?

 

[Alisa717]

 

[Alisa717]

How do we give her Tums? Do we crush it up and put it in liquid or crush it up and see if she eats it? Does it come in liquid form?