My sweet Stella is way off this am.

[Chrissy D]

My Stella is a 21 week old pullet Black Star. She is my most chatty sweetest social bird. She started laying last week and has given me an egg every other day. Monday she laid. Today Wednesday I came out to open the coop and she didn’t want to leave the roost. She is quiet and very still.

Now she doesn’t want to move, eat or drink. I have checked her egg tract and feel nothing in there. She did poop in front of me this morning, so no egg bound, thinking??? Nothing has changed and all other 10 birds are fine this am. She is on my lap sleeping. I see no physical signs of trauma. She seems alert and interested in noises around her. Any help ideas is appreciated. Unfortunately I have to put my 12 year old dog down today and the thought of more possible loss is heartbreaking.

she just pooped this? Looks yoke like.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sometimes it is hard to tell the exact problem right away. The yellowish mucousy dropping is concerning. Have you seen other poops where the white urates in her poop appeared yellow? Sometimes yellow droppings or yellow urates can be a sign of reproductive infection or liver problems. Have you dealt with coccidiosis before? Do you have any amoxicillin or fish mox? Do you have a vet today, since you are going in with your dog, where you could send in some droppings for a fecal float to look for coccidiosis and worms? Sorry about your dog, as we have gone through that several times.

 

[BitterSweetCitrus]

I second Eggccesive’s post, that poop does look concerning. Couldn’t help but notice her eye was closed, is that just the picture? If not she might have an issue there as well. For now I would work on putting electrolytes in her water. If you don’t have, put a splash of apple cider vinegar, plain Pedialyte, or chopped up garlic. Also try giving her some Greek yogurt mixed with chicken feed.

 

[Eggcessive]

Also, is her tail position up or down? Check to see if her lower belly between her legs is enlarged, and check her breast bone to see if ahe has lost weight.

 

[Chrissy D]

Thank you for tour response. This is the very first time I’ve seen any yellow in poop at all. No coccidiosis issues in the past. These birds were vaccinated as littles. I gave some oregano oil in molasses water this am. I will head to get amoxicillin shortly. I live in the country and have not been able to find a chicken vet. Insanity. The vet is coming to my house this evening to say goodbye to my dog. They do not do chickens. .

I gave her some egg this am with herbs. She ate a good bit. I will mix feed in yogurt now. Yes her eyes are closed. I know concerning. I have electrolytes will put in water as well. She is confined in my studio no other birds.

I'm having a hard time juggling this all this am. I do appreciate your input.

 

[Chrissy D]

Also, is her tail position up or down? Check to see if her lower belly between her legs is enlarged, and check her breast bone to see if ahe has lost weight.

Her tail is held in its normal up position. No weight loss. I felt from bones to vent. Feels normal.

 

[Chrissy D]

Also, is her tail position up or down? Check to see if her lower belly between her legs is enlarged, and check her breast bone to see if ahe has lost weight.

Also one other point to make. Since this is the first time I have probed a chicken is it normal for these girls to whence a little when squeezing around for an egg? I assume so if someone was mashing on my insides I would.

 

[Eggcessive]

It should not hurt her to be probed, but she probably won’t like it. I would watch for more abnormal droppings. FishMox amoxicillin capsules is sometimes available without a prescription at TSC and online.

 

[NatJ]

Also one other point to make. Since this is the first time I have probed a chicken is it normal for these girls to whence a little when squeezing around for an egg? I assume so if someone was mashing on my insides I would.

An easy way to check for whether that's normal: try it with a few of your other chickens and see how they react.

 

[Chrissy D]

Her tail Is a little more down now. She drank a bunch and ate more. She seems a little more bright eyed. TS was out of the antibiotics. I’ll order online now. Her droppings are firming back up a little. What does that tail up or down signify? Thanks so much.