Listless hen

[bkvaneperen]

Our 9 week old laying hen has been really lethargic, standing on it's own with her head tucked and eyes closed for about a week. She is also VERY thin and not eating as far as we can see. None of our other birds seem sick at all. Any ideas?

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Isolate her and give her some mashed hard boiled eggs. Try some Nutri-Drench in her water. Make sure she gets a lot of nutrition. Any other symptoms?

 

[bkvaneperen]

No. I don't think so. These are our first chickens so we are newbies. I did see her eating grass tonight and the other chickens don't seem to be driving her off as she was laying among them. We feed a lot of grass, veggies from the garden and such. She is roosting on the highest rung. I had quite a time catching her so she can run well!! Her crop is soft and I don't feel any lumps anywhere. Breathing is ok. Eyes and beak are good. Legs aren't scaly (can you tell I've been reading a lot on these boards!?) The only other thing is that she has her feathers really puffed out (even under the heat lamp) but she is a fluffy Americana.

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Have they been dewormed?

 

[bkvaneperen]

I came home today and she had a large wad of what looked like grass hanging from her and a 'grass' going into her. I don't see any worms but it smells diarrhea like. Could it have been some twine she ate? I put her by herself in a cage with fresh bedding, food and water. Hoping she 'goes' again so we know everything is moving ok. Sound good?

Thanks for your help 88!!

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Sounds good. How is she now?