Hi I am hoping someone can give me some feedback on this. My sweet Polish has not been well. I noticed her a couple of days ago just laying around in the run, but she gets herself back into the coop at night to roost with no problem. Today she seems very lethargic, my son picked her up and put her in the yard, her favorite place to be, and she just layed there. Her head seemed droopy. We offered her water and her favorite yogurt and didn't want any. She doesn't seem to be moving, We put her in the nesting box, and she was just standing in there where we left her. Her waddles seem much lighter in color compared to the bright red they normally are. Her vent looks normal to me, but she does have some yellowish poopy stuff stuck to her behind. She hasn't laid an egg for over a week. Her diet consists of egg layer feed, with occasional treats. They are in a large run with course sand so we don't feed any grit separately. Any ideas? Thanks so much,
It sounds like coccidiosis. Is anyone else showing symptoms. Have you added any new chickens recently that could have brought in a new strain of coccidia? Have you checked her crop (morning is best time before eating.) A balloon-like squishy crop may be sour crop. Check under her vent and all over for mites and lice. How old is she? Is it time for her to be molting?
Thanks eggcessive, She is almost 1 1/2 years old. We did add two new chickens back in the beginning of August. None of the other girls in the coop are acting funny. I did feel around her crop area and it feels normal to me, but I'm no expert. This chicken has never molted so I'm thinking it is time, but no signs of feather loss or anything. She isn't eating anything. I did give her some water w apple cider vinegar with a medicine dropper and she ate a little yogurt while I was holding her.
I think it is coccidioiss too. Has she had frothy or watery poop? That is one way you can tell she has it. I would remove her from the flock and check her frequently for pasting. I once had a chicken like this and i gave him water with molasses and he lived.
I would try her and the rest with Corid liquid 2 tsp (or 1 1/2 tsp powder) per 1 gallon of water for 5-7 days. It's in the cattle meds section of farm stores. Make it her only source of water, and you can put some on food to help her get enough.
Thanks so much, Her poop is runny and yellow. This is my first sick chicken, I really appreciate your help! If it is coccidiosis is that something they can recover from easily?
Yes, if caught and treated in time it is very easy to clear up. However it moves fast and if it goes to long before treatment they will have to much damage from the cocci and will die. That's why it's always best to treat for it if you even suspect that's what it could be. Even if all you do is rule it out, the treatment certainly does no harm. If that's not what it is then you can always move on and try other things but if it is cocci you do not have time on your side. I would treat as posted above by Eggcessive and asap. If she's really feeling crummy and won't eat or drink much then you need to give the medicated water to her via a needless syringe or eye dropper. Do this every couple hours the first day, if this is cocci you should see improvement quickly, within a day or so, provided it has not progressed to far. If a course of treatment with Corid does not set her straight then you will need to look at other possibilities.