Not an emergency - lethargic hen, not eating, laying soft shelled eggs

[Briarhopper Ranch]

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Easter Egger (Ginger) | 3 years, 2 months; appeared to be molting when others are not. She’s not “herself”.

2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Former top hen has been reserved, looks to be molting, and late this afternoon (6:00 pm) confined herself to a nesting box to lay a soft-shelled egg. Note: Ginger greeted me this morning to be let out of coop screened porch into run,

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? 1 week for low energy, lack of normal assertiveness; and not laying; today is the first day I’ve noted lethargy and the first I caught her laying a soft shelled egg. Another soft shell was “splattered” on the coop wall 2 days prior. I assumed then that this was from a young, early laying pullet.

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? No

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. Originally, I thought that the maturing of other birds (pullets and cockerels) caused a change in Ginger’s behavior; also assumed that she was starting to molt.

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. I don’t think so; haven’t observed her eating, only drinking occasionally.

8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. I don’t know; haven’t observed one of her poops.

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

10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? Treat completely by myself.

11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.

12) Describe the housing/bedding in use Coop with 5 other Easter Eggers; currently straw for bedding. Shared open run with 21 other birds.

Felt her crop tonight. It feels small and tight.

Historical note: twice in the past Ginger has had suspected impacted crop; treated by withholding food / water and gently massaging crop.

 

[Anon112]

Poor thing! I'm still very much learning, but in cases like this it's often recommended to give calcium tablets for about a week to see if that helps matters.

 

[Briarhopper Ranch]

Thank you. I am learning, too. We have calcium pills on hand. Have not yet dispensed, but night time is the right time for medicating chickens orally.

Poor thing! I'm still very much learning, but in cases like this it's often recommended to give calcium tablets for about a week to see if that helps matters.

 

[Briarhopper Ranch]

Update: reporting in that Miss Ginger appears bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning. She’s still uncharacteristically reserved for a former brute of a hen. For instance, this morning when I let the birds out into their large run, she was the last to exit the screened porch section of the coop. I’ll keep an eye on her. My inclination for next step, if needed, is to isolate her and provide electrolytes and scrambled egg to help rebuild her strength.

Advice still much appreciated.