listless polish bantam

[carlye2001]

One of my 2 Polish Bantams is acting funny. She's unusually snuggly and still, almost droopy. I did find mites, so I dusted her with DE. I offered her chick crumbles and scrambled egg, but she wouldn't touch either. Her crop is empty. No runny nose or discharge that I can find. The only "symptom" I can find, other than wanting to be held which is unusual is a head shake now and then. Worried that she won't eat or drink. No new chickens and no one else is acting different. No major changes though we've had some wicked storms in the last day that sent other into hiding. Ideas?

 

[GitaBooks]

It could be any number of things. However, I would guess either an injury or disease. Mites are often associated with an already weak chicken, either because they were too weak to fight them off or because the mites weakened them.
Keep an eye on her, make sure she is eating and drinking. Get some electrolyte and vitamins into her (you can try scrambled eggs). Keep her warm and calm.
What do her droppings look like? Is her face pale?

Keep an eye on your other chickens as well.


Best of luck! I hope she gets better soon.

 

[carlye2001]

These are what are on her. I dusted her with Garden and Poultry Dust, and oh, my they came out of hiding. The poor thing is infested with them! I gave her some Nutridrench and have her in isolation in the house. Will she be too cold in the house, about 74-76 degrees? Is there anything else I can do to help her with the lice?

 

[GitaBooks]

The house should be warm enough, as long as she doesn't seem really weak, cold, or thin. You might want to try placing a hot pad under her. Not set really high, just enough to help her immune system stay strong.

That looks sort of like a louse. Do you think she could have lice instead of mites?

 

[carlye2001]

I treated her for lice and don't see any moving anymore, but she has lots of egg sacs. Is there anything I can do about those? She seems a little better today, holding her head up and standing more. She's been cooing to me too and is now fighting when I try to give her fluids. I got a few drops of yogurt into her, but she won't eat. She will take fluids via syringe to the side of her beak, sometimes.