My 4 year old buff orpington is sick and I don't know how to help her

[4dixiechicks]

Hello,
I have never posted on one of these but this is the first time in 4 years I've had a sick chicken! I hope you all can help because I've done a TON of research and can't narrow it down.

I have Buff Orpington who is just turning 4 years old next month. About a week ago I found her in the run laying on her side. I propped her up and she fell back over so I knew something wasn't right. I brought her inside to keep her warm. Eventually she drank water, ate some crumble and black sunflower seeds, and a cooked egg. She perked up enough I thought she was better so I put her out with her friends for the day. That night she had the same trouble so I brought her back in and did the same regiment. She perked up again and all this week seemed to be doing about 80% better. She was still not moving quickly but was able to move around in the run on her own again. I've had to help her into bed each night this week so I knew she was still pretty weak. Tonight when I checked on her before night fall she was all hunched up, fluffed out, when she was trying to walk over to me she was stepping on one of her wings. I brought her in to the house again. She did eat a little but not drinking much.

Here's a list of her symptoms which unfortunately match a lot of the illnesses I've spent hours looking up:

• lethargic
• one wing drooping
• hunched down
• tail down
• no breathing issues
• no discharge in eyes or nose
• feels like she has lost weight
• not drinking much
• not eating a lot but eating some
• quiet (she normally coos a bit)
• doesn't move much and appears to be sleeping a lot
• seems a little tipsy when I put her down
• crop doesn't seem abnormal
• I'm not sure when she layed an egg last, I have 2 other birds with similar eggs
• it doesn't feel like she is egg bound but after researching I'm not 100% I can tell
• no signs of mites or lice
• no other hens appear to be ill
• no injuries
• no bullying going on

She so sweet and I don't want to lose her but I'm really not sure what to do for her. Thank you in advance for any tips or advice you may have for Reba.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I’ve suggested your thread be moved to the ER forum where the experts there should be able to assist. Good luck.

 

[DucksAreBest]

Hello, welcome to BackYard Chickens. Thank you for joining our community.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Good luck with your girl. Try posting on the ER Forum.

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC !

 

[4dixiechicks]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I’ve suggested your thread be moved to the ER forum where the experts there should be able to assist. Good luck.

Thank you!

 

[4dixiechicks]

Thank you!

 

[4dixiechicks]

Hello,
I have never posted on one of these but this is the first time in 4 years I've had a sick chicken! I hope you all can help because I've done a TON of research and can't narrow it down.

I have Buff Orpington who is just turning 4 years old next month. About a week ago I found her in the run laying on her side. I propped her up and she fell back over so I knew something wasn't right. I brought her inside to keep her warm. Eventually she drank water, ate some crumble and black sunflower seeds, and a cooked egg. She perked up enough I thought she was better so I put her out with her friends for the day. That night she had the same trouble so I brought her back in and did the same regiment. She perked up again and all this week seemed to be doing about 80% better. She was still not moving quickly but was able to move around in the run on her own again. I've had to help her into bed each night this week so I knew she was still pretty weak. Tonight when I checked on her before night fall she was all hunched up, fluffed out, when she was trying to walk over to me she was stepping on one of her wings. I brought her in to the house again. She did eat a little but not drinking much.

Here's a list of her symptoms which unfortunately match a lot of the illnesses I've spent hours looking up:

• lethargic
• one wing drooping
• hunched down
• tail down
• no breathing issues
• no discharge in eyes or nose
• feels like she has lost weight
• not drinking much
• not eating a lot but eating some
• quiet (she normally coos a bit)
• doesn't move much and appears to be sleeping a lot
• seems a little tipsy when I put her down
• crop doesn't seem abnormal
• I'm not sure when she layed an egg last, I have 2 other birds with similar eggs
• it doesn't feel like she is egg bound but after researching I'm not 100% I can tell
• no signs of mites or lice
• no other hens appear to be ill
• no injuries
• no bullying going on

She so sweet and I don't want to lose her but I'm really not sure what to do for her. Thank you in advance for any tips or advice you may have for Reba.

I wanted to add an update and missed info. Her comb is shorter and pale as well. I gave her a bath this morning and checked to see if I could feel an egg lodged but I didn't feel anything--she's so skinny now! Any thoughts on my pretty bird's illness?

 

[Thunder344]

Hello and welcome to BYC! I hope you have a excellent time here!
Sorry for your chicken. I hope some others can help soon.

 

[frostic]

First and formost move her indoors away from other chickens so incase she is sick it does not spread. this will also help you to see if she is eggbound or if she is still laying.
post some pictures of her poop asap as poop can tell most on here what could be causing her issues. also list what treats and or feed type you use etc. some treats can be very bad for chickens like the foliage of potatos are VERY toxic etc.\

sometimes food can cause illness if it is rotton. NEVER feed them rotton food. if you would not eat it don't make your chickens eat it etc.

with the wing dropping it could be from stress or over heating or stroke and tons of other things. if you can get a video of her, post to youtube it can also help diagnose her.