Molting, Lethargic, Not Eating

[Wyorp Rock]

Have you felt inside the vent for an egg? Is she swollen or bloated in the abdomen below the vent between the legs?

If possible, get a fecal float done to see if worms and/or coccidiosis may be a problem.

Do what you can to get her hydrated. This is odd, but sometimes when mine are not well they will not drink out of a regular cup or water station - but they will drink from a chick waterer - you may want to try that - elevate the waterer so it's easier to reach.

 

[deviflux]

Vent and comb still seem good. Still very puffed up, especially her chest feathers. Breathing seems normal but she started doing a little nomnomnom thing with her mouth today. (Sorry, I cant think of a better way to describe it!) Not panting or gasping, just slightly opening and closing her beak quickly like she’s tasting something. Still refuses any kind of food/water but is taking water from the dropper pretty well. Her last poop was still runny but all white.
Her breastbone is feeling very pronounced today and it seems she is (not surprisingly) losing weight.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Have you looked inside her beak, roof of mouth and throat just to make sure it's clear of mucous, canker or yellow/white cheesy material?

 

[Kathy Golla]

Checking her mouth is good advice. If her mouth is clear, I would try feeding her anything soft she will eat. Sometimes you have to experiment.
Don’t feed her anything that is hard to digest or get through her crop.
Did you check for mites/lice?
Do you have access to a vet?

 

[deviflux]

Mouth is completely clear. Still pooping runny but it’s all yellow/ clear now.
I’ve been checking under the wings, around the vent and everywhere else for signs of mites/lice and she seems fine.
Going to try checking her vent again today in case something has changed.
She seems slightly more alert today but still not really moving much or eating/drinking on her own. When I put her in my lap to give her water she just falls asleep.
I’ll try experimenting with other foods today. She was not at all interested in hard boiled egg yolks mixed with some water and yogurt.
The closest vet that deals with chickens is almost 2 hrs away and I haven’t wanted to put her through a long car ride unless absolutely necessary.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Have you wormed her or treated for Coccidiosis?

 

[deviflux]

I haven’t wormed her. I was worried about it more doing harm given how weak she seems. I’ve actually never wormed any of my girls since I’ve had them (2+ yrs). What do you recommend?
I’ve started her on Corid (via water drops) today. Also been giving her drops of extra watery baby bird formula but she will only accept a tiny bit each time. As of an hour ago her poop is runny, yellowish white and has a strong almost sulphuric smell.
She’s more alert today but her breathing also seems faster (not labored but definitely faster than usual).
If no improvement by tomorrow, I may have to make the 4hr round trip drive to the vet.

 

[deviflux]

Also want to thank everyone again for all the advice!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I haven’t wormed her. I was worried about it more doing harm given how weak she seems. I’ve actually never wormed any of my girls since I’ve had them (2+ yrs). What do you recommend?
I’ve started her on Corid (via water drops) today. Also been giving her drops of extra watery baby bird formula but she will only accept a tiny bit each time. As of an hour ago her poop is runny, yellowish white and has a strong almost sulphuric smell.
She’s more alert today but her breathing also seems faster (not labored but definitely faster than usual).
If no improvement by tomorrow, I may have to make the 4hr round trip drive to the vet.

The yellow smelly poop does not sound good. Even though she is in molt, this may be a symptom of a reproductive problem. Could be infection as well - really hard to know.
See if the Corid will help. If she's not drinking at all - I would direct drench her with the Corid. For liquid Corid that would .10ml per pound of weight, given orally for 3 days.
I would also mix up some Corid water and use that to hydrate her for the rest of the time - even use the Corid water to make the baby bird formula so she gets the correct amount.
(Direct dosing/drenching is in addition to a bird drinking mixed Corid water free choice)

I'm sorry there are no vets nearby, that stinks. Sometimes even with vet care, it's a shot in the dark with diagnosis.

For a molting bird, if I thought they needed worming, I would use Valbazen. I do agree, when they are weak like this it's possible it could do harm - you may want to see if the Corid helps first. If you end up at the vet, then they can perform a fecal float to check for worms.

 

[deviflux]

Little Miss Patsy Fluffbutt didn’t make it. I tried to give her water one last time before bed and she refused it. Her breathing was labored. I held her and told her she could go if she was ready...and she did.
She vomited and then convulsed and died in my arms.
I’m really hoping whatever she had won’t hit the rest of my flock. Thanks again to everyone for the help.