Pullet Lethargic, Near Death....

[FreedomFarm13]

This is a girl I raised myself. I gave her to a friend a while back, and got her and the others I had given away back on halloween. She's been smaller than the others since I got them back, and for the last few days she's been very listless and lethargic. Yesterday and today, she did not leave the nesting box and I thought she was dead when I found her this morning. Her breathing is barely discernable. She's very skinny and didn't even move when I turned her on her back to examine her. I believe she was born in April, black copper Marans pullet, fed flockraiser crumbles since birth (I don't know what my friend fed her, but she's got ducks and stuff, so probably something similar). I gave her some nutridrench directly into her mouth 2 days ago, and added some to the flock's water to try to help her get her strength back. There are no visible signs of injury or disease. Her crop was completely empty when I examined her just a minute ago. I just moved her inside so I can keep an eye on her, but I don't know if there's anything I can do to save her. She's the only black copper Marans girl I have left, due to a series of events unrelated to this (predator attacks), and would really like to save her, but I'm out of ideas. The vet is not an option right now as I don't have the money for it, but I'd like to do all I can to help her. Any ideas? I can take pics if need be. Thanks.

 

[azygous]

When I have a chicken with those symptoms and I've ruled out egg issues and crop issues, I assume a bacterial infection and give a round of an antibiotic.

You will next ask, "where do I get an antibiotic?" Feed stores sell injectable penicillin. Or you can ask your vet to sell you a broad spectrum antibiotic in pill form.

 

[rebrascora]

If she is very skinny and lethargic, the most important thing you can do for her is give her a heat source. A warm room will not be enough, she will need a heat pad or lamp. She will not have enough food in her system or body reserves to maintain her body temperature, so you need to help her. Just slowly warming them up can give them a boost in itself. Next you want to get electrolytes into her.... I would make them tepid, so that they are not chilling her. Once you have got fluids into her then perhaps try some warm scrambled egg. It may just be that she has been bullied from the food and water and her body condition has dropped too low and she is now too weak or it could be that there is an underlying problem. Warmth, fluids and nutrition are all things that are generally immediately available at home. If you don't have a heat source, fill two plastic soda bottles with hot water and place them in a box with a towel on top and put her on top of them.

 

[FreedomFarm13]

Ok, I have given her some penicillin, she has been in a warm room with a warm towel under her for most of the day, and I have been holding her a lot to warm her up more. She seemed to perk up when I held her for a bit. She has tepid water and feed in there in case she starts to feel a little stronger with the antibiotic. I'll try scrambled eggs, too. My feed store didn't have poultry electrolytes...could I give her pedialyte? I have some from when my daughter was sick a couple days ago, so I could use that, I just didn't want to use it if it isn't safe for her.

 

[rebrascora]

I'm not familiar with that product (I don't think we have it here in the UK) but a little can't harm.

 

[azygous]

Pedialyte and Gatoraid are both electrolyte solutions that are fine to give chickens in an emergency.

Hopefully, with the loving care, your pullet will be feeling well in a few days. Please let us know how she does.

 

[FreedomFarm13]

Well, thank you all so much for your advice and support, but my sweet Ember just passed away. She was lifting her head and looking around and I thought she was getting better, but just a few minutes later, all of a sudden she seized up and then she was gone. I guess I tried to help too late. I'm heartbroken. She was a dear, sweet little thing, and my entire BCM program was depending on her, and now I have to start all over. I don't even have words. Thank you all for your help, though. It was very appreciated.

 

[rebrascora]

I'm so very sorry to hear she didn't make it.

 

[azygous]

 

[ThenNotSoChickenMaster]

Sorry for your loss.