please help!

[kelseylove]

i've been reading this sight for everything ever since I got my chicks on Easter..and I have finally decided to make an account..

about two weeks ago my chicken began walking around with her neck tucked in making it look like she didn't even have a neck. I thought that this seemed strange but I didn't really think anything of it. Now, she can't stand up while she's eating she kind of just lays down. When she jumped off the wall today she didn't even open her wings or anything she just fell to the ground. She keeps opening her mouth to take every breath and closing her eyes when she does this.

She's also smaller than all the other chickens and she's also the nicest and follows the others around everywhere. She walks slowly and lays down frequently other than all of this she looks healthy and I see her eat but she eats small amounts at a time other than the others. The other chickens don't seem to mind her or try to pick on her or anything like that but I'm worried about what could be wrong with her.

If you know anything about this and how I can fix it PLEASE let me know!!
Thanks

 

[4H gal]

Hmmm........I am not sure.

 

[Chambertin]

Could be gapeworm, but I'm not as familiar with that because I have never seen it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gapeworm
Could be a respiratory infection, can you hear any gurgling sounds when she tips up her head?
Like a bong or other sucking through water sound?

How is her poop? normal, runny, colored, foamy?

Sounds like she can move when she wants just not efficiently or she's really tired.
Is she overly light for her body size?

My advice is to separate her because its safer to limit exposure to the others.
The drawback is that she will lose her place in the pecking order, but it sounds like shes already at or near the bottom and wont suffer much loss of position.

If you can answer these questions or give some pictures it will really help.

Good luck!

 

[kelseylove]

I don't hear any gurgling sounds..there's just a very faint breathing sound. I'm not sure how much she's supposed to weigh..I haven't had any experience with chickens until now since I was a little kid.. as far as her poop goes I haven't really payed attention to it but I will when I separate her in the morning!
thank for the advice and ill get some pictures on here as soon as I can take some. As of right now I only have this one from today..this is what she does most of the time when she's in the coop..

 

[Chambertin]

Poor girl!
Sorry you have to go through this but it seems first sickness is a big part of raising chickens.
I dont see any obvious answers from the picture, no mucus, no dripping, just all hunkered in.
Her feathers look puffed up, but not extreme.

Shes sick, but have to keep an eye on her and see what happens.
My first guess now would be some kind of worm or parasite that is draining her strength.

If you do try a wormer, home remedy or medicine make sure to give it to everyone in the flock if it cures her.
Have to treat everyone because worms can propagate in healthy birds too. Also a good idea to move the run to a new area every so often if possible while you treat. Get them fresh ground with no parasite buildup and the infestation should die off faster.

Good luck!

 

[ten chicks]

I don't hear any gurgling sounds..there's just a very faint breathing sound. I'm not sure how much she's supposed to weigh..I haven't had any experience with chickens until now since I was a little kid.. as far as her poop goes I haven't really payed attention to it but I will when I separate her in the morning!
thank for the advice and ill get some pictures on here as soon as I can take some. As of right now I only have this one from today..this is what she does most of the time when she's in the coop..

Look up info for Coccidiosis,some symptoms are runny/watery poop(may or may not contain blood) fluffed feathers,lethargic. Cocci is a parasitic infection of the intestinal tract,sometimes it just gets out of hand. If symptoms match,purchase Corid(amprolium) Dosage for Corid powder is 1/2 tsp per gallon of water,Dosage for Corid liquid is 2 tsp per gallon of water. Treat all chickens for 5 days,do not give vitamins during treatment(interferes with medication)give vitamins after treatment.

Check for impacted crop.

 

[kelseylove]

thank you for all your help but she died before the morning..

 

[realsis]

I am so sorry! Such sad news!

 

[Chambertin]

Wish I had a better answer for you.
Hurts when I lose a chicken and the same when I couldnt help.
Gotta try to learn more, always a new thing to figure out.

Good luck with the future and it sounds like no one else in the flock has similar symptoms.
Maybe she had something wrong inside that you couldnt have fixed no matter what. Animals get cancer and all those other diseases that just kill quick and seemingly random.