Newbie Here...HELP! Lethargic and comb id pink & limp

[mudwoman]

Thsnk you for the link, I will go read right now. OH...... COULD THIS BE FROM THEM DRINKING WATER WITH POOP IN IT? We have a creek, they sometimes, rarely though, go to it and poop/ drink. It's a good 2 acres away and I hardly EVER see them over there. I went out there this morning and did see signs that they had been there.

 

[mudwoman]

For those of you with acreage, do you routinly hose down your property to clean away poops? I keep the coop immaculate, but 3 acres of, " watch where you step" is my life.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I wouldn't worry about that level of poop exposure for your chickens. Hosing down for the chicken's sake is not necessary.

 

[mudwoman]

Thank you, S&P.... the last thing I want to do is hose down acreage. I just hose down the path to the coop for myself, family & guests. Did you see where I asked if drinking poopy creek water is a problem? Also, any ideas as to just why only ONE chicken?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Thank you, S&P.... the last thing I want to do is hose down acreage. I just hose down the path to the coop for myself, family & guests. Did you see where I asked if drinking poopy creek water is a problem?

The creek water should not be a problem. The running water would not allow many pathogens to grow.

 

[ten chicks]

Hi tenchicks,
You gave me so much info. it's difficult for me to digest. I did feel her crop against another hen, they both felt full and the same. She shows none of the other signs you mentioned, thankfully. Just the lightening of her comb and lethargy. She is drinking when I hold the water dish up to her beak. i did add a pinch of sugar as suggested by Scratch n' Peck, I could tell she liked it. In order to address your other comments, I'm going to have to give it a day or so, as she has yet to poop in the carrier, and a change in her crop is unknown to me yet. I feel like a mother with her first newborn infant. I will be gone tomorrow for 5 hours during the day, but, I've decided if she doe's not perk up by bedtime, I am leaving her crated.
How am I doing?

I am a little concerned,there should be poop in her carrier. Have you considered egg bound,is she walking funny? When egg bound it can restrict there ability to poop. Chickens are notorious poopers,is she not eating? If her crop is full,she should be pooping. If her crop has not gone down(empty)and she is not eating,i would suspect impacted crop. Check this by feeling crop at night,after eating(should be full)check again in morning,before eating(should be empty)this way you will know.

 

[mudwoman]

TC,
I don't know if she's walking funny, I put her almost directly into the carrier after I found her and spent some time with her on my lap after finding her just sitting on the coop floor when I opened the door this morning. As time has gone by today, she seems a bit more chipper, buy, by no means, herself. Her comb is still pink and floppy. There is no poop in the carrier, (I thought there would be some by now too), but, her crop has diminished a small but noticeable amount. I will update later tonight or in the morning. Thank you and every one here for coming to my rescue today. We may not be done, but, I'm spent! I need a break. YOU ALL ROCK!

 

[appps]

You could also try giving some watermelon. It's high in water and they tend to love the sweet taste so it gets some liquid in in an extra way.

When I have one that isn't well I add some hot water to a bowl of pellets and stir it up then let it cool to just warm. Just enough water to make it all damp and crumbly but not soggy. Again gets some extra water in them and they seem to like the lukewarm food and its soft and easier to digest.
I also boil two eggs and mash with a fork and stir through.
Lastly I bought some vitamin powder for sick birds from the pet shop and I mix that up in the water if they are drinking well or else sprinkle over food if they are not (as per directions on container)

Good luck!!

 

[mudwoman]

Overrun, all fantastic suggestions. I'm on it! I like the watermelon idea a lot. Also, the hard boiled egg idea too. both good ways to get food and water in her. She takes water when I lift her crate bowl up to her, thank goodness! Thank you for taking the time to help.

 

[mudwoman]

Hi all helpers from today,
She spent the day crated with food & water. Only drank when I hand offered the bowl and I don't really know how much she ate, as she sat with her breasts kinda in the bowl and food was spread around her. She did eat some cantelope I hand fed her.... she did not poop, (unbelieveable!)
I closed her and I only in the coop and watched her. She just stood there for a few minutes, took a huge poop immediately, which looked good, not runny or bloody. I gave her a scoot towards the feeder, no go. A scoot to the water and she drank well. Then she walked around, looking much more chipper than this a.m. She hopped up to her roosting bar and sat, so I am leaving her with the group in the coop, (ha, that rhymed), for the night. Her comb is still droopy and pink. Her crop seems larger than this morning, which suggests she may have eaten. I don't know much about chickens, but, I'm learning. I live in a very rural community, so I am surrounded with chicken owners. Today was a day for the experts, so thank you all again for your help today.

I will update tomorrow. I sure hope she is her old self in the morning.
Good night all!