New hens, but one seems lethargic?

[Immafishguy]

Hello all, I’m new to this forum and have just gotten into chicken keeping. I recently purchased 4 hens about three days ago and I have concerns about one of them.

Here’s as much information as I could give:

1) What type of bird: Rhode Island Red
2) What is the behavior, exactly. Behavior is lethargic. She will pull her neck in and her eyes will slightly close. She does occasionally wander around, but for the most part, she seems to stay in one specific place. Appetite and water consumption isn’t as aggressive as the other three. She is still eating and drinking though.


3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Noticed symptoms this morning, she was active and eating yesterday.

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?no

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No injuries or trauma that can be observed

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. Nothing I know of, the flock is still figuring out the hierarchy, but no physical abuse.

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Water, lay feed, and grubs


8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? Poop looks normal, no blood or diarrhea.


9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? None

10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? I’m happy to treat myself or take to a vet.

12) Describe the housing/bedding in use. Currently being housed in a chicken coop with five nesting boxes, roots, etc. Attached to a 12x3’ run. The bedding is a dried pine shaving.

To my knowledge, these are younger birds, and I was told that they should start laying eggs in about a week or two. I was also told that they do not have any MRNA vaccines. Any insider opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome to BYC

Can you check her crop to see if it's emptying?

I agree, it looks like she's not feeling well.

She does look a bit young, but just in case she may be having a hard time with a first egg, I'd be inclined to give her 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily for a few days to see if she expels anything.

Work on hydration and see if she will eat. Sometimes a change in environment can be shocking to them. It wouldn't hurt to give her a little sugar water or electrolytes to see if that perks her up. Make plain water available too.

 

[Immafishguy]

Welcome to BYC

Can you check her crop to see if it's emptying?

I agree, it looks like she's not feeling well.

She does look a bit young, but just in case she may be having a hard time with a first egg, I'd be inclined to give her 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily for a few days to see if she expels anything.

Work on hydration and see if she will eat. Sometimes a change in environment can be shocking to them. It wouldn't hurt to give her a little sugar water or electrolytes to see if that perks her up. Make plain water available too.

Thanks for the advice, though I do fear whatever it is is a virus or disease.

Quick update. She was eating yesterday, but has not eaten today. She came down out of the coop and drank some water this morning.

However, I did notice that one of the other chickens is doing the same initial behavior. This other chicken is still eating aggressively and drinking water, but if standing still, her eyes start to close like she’s falling asleep.

Thoughts of any treatment? I scheduled a veterinary appointment to bring one of the chickens this afternoon. Is there anything specific I should ask about?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for the advice, though I do fear whatever it is is a virus or disease.

Quick update. She was eating yesterday, but has not eaten today. She came down out of the coop and drank some water this morning.

However, I did notice that one of the other chickens is doing the same initial behavior. This other chicken is still eating aggressively and drinking water, but if standing still, her eyes start to close like she’s falling asleep.

Thoughts of any treatment? I scheduled a veterinary appointment to bring one of the chickens this afternoon. Is there anything specific I should ask about?

How did the vet visit go?

 

[Immafishguy]

How did the vet visit go?

Unhelpful. Unfortunately, I think there’s people who are licensed vets who don’t know what they’re talking about. I did take the chicken to a clinic that is supposed to work with birds. The vet took the bird’s temperature and said that it had a high fever with a temperature of 105. Then had the tech come provide an invoice for anabiotic’s. I asked what they were treating for, and they didn’t know. They said they suspect avian bird flu, and to feed multi vitamins…

I left and am getting a second opinion. Unfortunately no one can see me till Monday.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the chickens normal body temperature is around 105, no? And to my knowledge bird flu is pretty much a guaranteed death sentence, not solved by multi vitamins…


However, here’s an update:

She was a bit more active today, and definitely drank a ton of water, but hasn’t touched any of the lay feed. Wouldn’t even touch grubs or mealworms. She did pick on some veggie scraps, but ran over and aggressively ate some live earthworms. Even chased some of the others around to try to steal some worms. Maybe she’s feeling a little better? Definitely has diarrhea though(prior to eating anything today).

I do have the concern that whatever it is is spreading though, one of the other hens was starting to act a little lethargic earlier this morning. In the afternoon, she perked up and behaved normally, but this is now two birds that have had odd behavior… I’m not really sure what to do in the interim until I can see a different vet.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The average body temperature of a chicken is 105-107F.

Avian Influenza spreads quickly through a flock and depending on the strain (mild or highly pathogenic) losses can be low to almost 100%.
Mild symptoms are respiratory distress, lethargy, diarrhea, etc. High pathogenic symptoms can include the above along with facial swelling, dehydration, red/white spots on the legs/combs.

Bottom line - no...I do not think you are dealing with Avian Influenza. The birds would be really sick or have died by now. It's a reportable disease, so the Vet if he suspected it, would have immediately called the state for testing. All I'll say is, I would perhaps find another vet that is well versed in poultry and poultry diseases if that's possible.

I'm certainly not a vet nor expert, so do some research/reading of your own, I can make mistakes for sure but do my best to be accurate.

O.K. What antibiotic did they give you and the dosing?

Since they are new to you and your property. I'd check their crops to make sure they are emptying overnight. If the crops are not emptying, let me know.

I'd start treating for Coccidiosis and deworm them (instructions will be below). See that they are eating either Chick Starter or an All Flock Feed. Limit treats like scratch, etc. A little every few days of something tasty makes us feel good and them too. Maybe a little scrambled egg as a treat, a slice of watermelon, some cucumber slices, etc. Do provide Grit (Crushed Granite) and Oyster Shell Free Choice. Grit for the Gizzard.

You get me?

AFTER, you finish the treatment for Coccidiosis and Deworm, give them poultry vitamins 3X a week in their water for 2 weeks. Do provide plain fresh water too. Probiotics or 1Tablespoon of quality plain yogurt 3X a week for 2 weeks to help restore the gut.

Treat for Coccidiosis and worms at the same time. That's what I'd do. Others may chime in with their thoughts, that will be great! You can then search out a bit more info and come to a conclusion of what makes sense for you.

For Coccidiosis, you can find Corid (Amprolium) at stores like TSC. It comes in Liquid Or Powder. Either one is fine.
Liquid Corid dose is 2tsp or Powdered Corid Dose is 1 1/2tsp per gallon of water given for 5-7 days as the only source of drinking water.
Do not add any extra vitamins/electrolytes that contain B1(Thiamine) to food or water during the course of treatment.

For Deworming.
I would use Safeguard 10% Liquid Goat Dewormer or Equine Paste. Dosing is 0.23ml per pound of weight given orally once daily for 5days in a row. No Repeat.

Here's how to give oral medications:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

And Yes...you may get to the feed store and an employee may try to give you Safeguard Aquasol© which is designed to go in the chicken's water station. Don't get that. It's low dose, will only treat Roundworms, expensive and not easy to dose just a few birds. It does have its place for use, but not in this situation.

Keep me posted.