my 3 year old's favorite pet, Buttercup, is lethargic, droopy, with puffed up feathers, won't eat

[loriamarosa]

We have 2 chickens that are both a year and a half old. They usually range all over our city backyard during the day. We were camping for four days so the chickens were cooped up. They pace back and forth when they stay in their coop all day. They had plenty of food and water when we returned home today and let them out. I noticed our road runner like Sicilian Buttercup staring at the back fence and standing still, unusual for her. She is not interested in eating. She looks puffed up, like she is keeping her feathers out a little. And she has not moved from a spot under the apple tree in several hours now. No coughs, sneezes, her vent seems fine (pink). Her bright red comb has a few brownish spots at the crown, sort of like a few crusty dots. Her poop has mucus. She is drinking.
Our daughter would be so upset if something happened to Buttercup...any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[dawg53]

For both posters: There could be several issues or a combination.
Inspect your bird(s) for lice/mites, either could be eggbound, or they might have worms.

 

[casportpony]

Not good. I don't know what to do! It is like she will go into mini seizures. Her breathing is very slow. What do I do? I'm lost here....

I really do feel for you and my eyes are welling up as I type, but it really does sound like she is dying. The mini seizures are all part of the process. Just keep her warm and maybe having her with you will help. Take care of yourself.

-Kathy







Disclaimer: I am not a vet, I'm just someone that has "rescued" far too many sick birds from the feed store and have seen more than my share of death.

 

[sneal79]

I do not have an answer for you, however, one of my Barred Rock hens is doing this same thing. Except...she is not drinking and she seems either weak or unable to maintain her balance. She barely opens her eyes. She responds to my voice...but that is it. I picked her up tonight and instead of wrapping her feet around my hand...they just hung there. When I went to sit her down, she didn't stand...she just layed there. I am beside myself...I don't know what to do

 

[sunflowerfarms]

Do lice and mites really affect the birds that much?

 

[jak2002003]

If it was mites or lice, it would normally effect all the flock, not just one bird.

Can you give us any more information about buttercup? Maybe a photo?

Being puffed up and not moving is a symptom of many diseases.

Is she breathing OK, are here eyes open, swollen, closed? Can she walk OK, is she sitting down or standing up? Does it seem like she is straining to lay an egg?

Hope she is still OK. Don't bother her too much, as any extra stress can make a hen worse.

Let us know how she is doing now.

 

[casportpony]

Do lice and mites really affect the birds that much?

Blood sucking bugs, like mites can cause severe anemia, just like ticks and fleas can in dogs and cats.

 

[sneal79]

My Mawmaw's eyes are closed. She will open them for just a few seconds. She would not eat or drink and unbalanced...any ideas? She is also puffed up

 

[casportpony]

The symptoms you both have listed fit so many different diseases. Can you bring them indoors and give them a heat source? Can you both take a picture of their droppings and post it?

 

[casportpony]

My Mawmaw's eyes are closed. She will open them for just a few seconds. She would not eat or drink and unbalanced...any ideas? She is also puffed up

How old is she and how much does she weigh?