My chicken is dying and I really need help

[jolieann]

I live in Yucca Valley, Ca. I have a chicken that wont eat or drink. I first noticed this yesterday morning. When i moved her she couldnt walk or i should say tried but walked crooked or funny. Im thinking its possible my granddaughter may have injured it as she has been cruel to some of my animals. I believe it could have a broken back or leg or I could be wrong and it just has a disease. I shouldnt have chickens as I have no experience raising chickens. I dont know where to go for help. I dont want it to suffer. It's hurting me as I cant handle this at all. I feel so bad that i have somehow failed to protect or provide what was needed. PLEASE if anyone has any knowledge of chickens please respond. i wish i knew someone that could come by and look. My greatness fear is that it will suffer. please help if there is someone near. thank you so much, Jolie I just can't keep crying

 

[AmpersatChick]

I'm sorry. I'm new to chickens too and we are learning as we go. I have no advice just want to give you a bump so your post if more visible. I might suggest you google the symptoms or do a search here in the forums and read up...also, you might want to edit your post to remove your ph # since anyone can see it. People will respond to you here or by private message. Good luck with your chicken!

 

[SuzanneN456]

Has it been real hot in your area? She could be suffering from heat stress. Has she been panting and holding her wings out?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Well at some point we all were new to chickens and have learned as we went. Having a forum like this to come to is a big help. So don't beat yourself up about it or think that you should not have chickens.

That said, I don't know what could be wrong with your chicken. You might bring her inside if you have a dog or cat kennel/carrier so that you could observe her closely as well as offer her food and give her water. Sometimes that's all you can do when you just don't know what the heck is going on. If she's not eating/drinking she will go down fast. Try some yogurt or some chopped hard boiled egg and see if she'll take some. You can give water with an eye dropper or needless syringe, you just have to go very slow, a few drops at a time and let her swallow. I would put some electrolytes like Save-A-Chick in it. It's better/safer if you can tube feed/water them but that's not something most people are comfortable doing.

If taking chickens to a vet is something you want to consider then you might check to see if there are any avian or exotic's vets in your area. Just be prepared that taking chickens to a vet is usually very spendy because they can be so hard to diagnose without a lot of expensive testing. But in this case an x-ray would rule out the injuries you mentioned.

Good luck with your bird and know that we've all been there and done that with a bird that we didn't know what was wrong or how to treat. All you can do is your best.

 

[RussianChickens]

So sorry about your chicken! Don't feel too badly, we were all new to chickens before and we all learn as we go. I've learnt a lot more sense the short time I've been on this site.

I'll second cafarmgirl's post.

Could be many things. Possibly cocci if its young. Look for bloody poo.

Your going to have to feed her and water her by hand little bits at a time all the time. Yogurts good to feed.

You can try duramycin (spelling?) That may help, wont hurt, you can get it at TSC or any farm store.

Bring her inside, use a cardboard box, tub or bathtub if you have too.

Also if you can post a picture or video of the bird so others on here can see.

 

[20736]

Whatever happened to this chicken or whatever is effecting your chicken, you are not to blame. ease up.
I would second bringing the bird indoors overnight, giving it some quiet time.
So many things could cause these symptoms.
Do you have a reliable avian veterinarian you can take her to on Monday?
Definitely try a course of antibiotics and rest. That is what I would do.