Periodically lethargic pullet???

[RhodeIslandRed5]

I know, thanks! Finally I believe steo-dad is going to work on something now that he sees we cannot find them a home elsewhere. But I'm concerned as to what's wrong with my pullet's periodic lethargicy. If she's in pain in anyway and I don't know how to help her, I may have to have her put down to keep her from suffering anymore. When petting her earlier, Mom noticed her kinda shivering. And she just goes off into a coma like she's dead tired, or just weak.

 

[MomJones]

I know, thanks! Finally I believe steo-dad is going to work on something now that he sees we cannot find them a home elsewhere. But I'm concerned as to what's wrong with my pullet's periodic lethargicy. If she's in pain in anyway and I don't know how to help her, I may have to have her put down to keep her from suffering anymore. When petting her earlier, Mom noticed her kinda shivering. And she just goes off into a coma like she's dead tired, or just weak.

What have you found online? Have you researched her symptoms?

 

[MomJones]

Just found this, one of several threads about lethargy in pullets. See what you think.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-lethargic-pullet.705672/

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

We have a chicken book but nothing in it about nodding off. Her lethargicy isn't constant. Awhile ago she was flying up on me, onto the TV stand and flapping around the room. She does it mostly when being held, stroked or just standing there. Her crop didn't feel full and hard tonight, kinda empty. But she ate today, and she's pooping fine.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

View attachment 1877812 View attachment 1877814

And for future info, when it rains, the backyard floods. So wherever a building would go, we'd have to build the ground up.

Anyway, this thread was meant to try to find out why my pullet is acting so odd. What would cause her to act temporarily lethargic like that???

When petting her earlier, Mom noticed her kinda shivering. And she just goes off into a coma like she's dead tired, or just weak.

We have a chicken book but nothing in it about nodding off. Her lethargicy isn't constant. Awhile ago she was flying up on me, onto the TV stand and flapping around the room. She does it mostly when being held, stroked or just standing there. Her crop didn't feel full and hard tonight, kinda empty. But she ate today, and she's pooping fine.

I think if you looked at some chicken hoop house ideas, also some threads where folks re-worked their prefabs you could make a coop/run with both of those. It would take a bit of work and creativity, but if you pulled some images, sit down with Step-Dad and come up with a plan, you both work on it, it will turn out really nice.

Is that electric fencing beside the greenhouse?

Having standing water can be a pain, you could build up with sand that way it drains well pretty well.

Your pullet for the most part is active, she is only acting lethargic when being held or petted? She may be acting submissive. Do you keep her up past dusk? Does she get a full nights sleep?

I would try the poultry vitamins to see if those will give her a boost.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Yep, that's an unfinished electric fence. But doubting it'll stop stupid raccoons. I hate those things with a passion!!

She does it when I see her just standing there to. Not just when being loved on. We start turning the lights off about 8:30 and try to have it completely dark by 9:00. If she sleeps good, I don't know. I don't want to shine a light on them at night to find out.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yep, that's an unfinished electric fence. But doubting it'll stop stupid raccoons. I hate those things with a passion!!

She does it when I see her just standing there to. Not just when being loved on. We start turning the lights off about 8:30 and try to have it completely dark by 9:00. If she sleeps good, I don't know. I don't want to shine a light on them at night to find out.

Electric fencing is just part of defense against predators - it will help some so you may want to get that finished. Even with E-Fencing you still have to be proactive and think about ways of protecting your sweeties. Fortifying the greenhouse run, adding hardware cloth, etc. will help with protecting them too. Trapping offenders also. I don't trap much, but a lot of people do and that's one way to help control predators.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

I have a trap. I used it on an armadillo.

Ok, I bought the Nutri-Drench, and also some packets of Save-A-Chick electroylics. Now what?

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

My girls had eletrolyits yesterday and today. I don't want to mix with Nutri-Drench.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a trap. I used it on an armadillo.

Ok, I bought the Nutri-Drench, and also some packets of Save-A-Chick electroylics. Now what?

I would give her a direct dose of the Poultry Nutri-Drench 1 time a day. Dosage is 1cc per 3lbs of weight.

Hold off on the electrolytes. See that she's eating/drinking.
If you can get a video or photos of her when she's acting lethargic that would be good. Poop photos too

I don't have Armadillos, probably a good thing too LOL But I do occasionally trap Raccoon and Possum. It can take a while to get everything set-up, in place and fairly secure. The biggest thing is to come up with a plan - think about what you want it to look like/to be, then set small goals and work towards that. It's not all going to come together overnight, that's for sure, but if you work on your coop/run and defense, eventually you will get there. I know it's frustrating when you have to work with someone else, but hopefully you both can come to an agreement and get this done.
This will be less stress on all of you