Rhode Island Reds

[roseytheriveter]

Hi,
we are new to raising chickens; one of our hens is acting standoffish and lethargic. About a week ago we noticed she didn't want to join the others in the yard, and she wanted to sit on her nest. The next day she began to get up & move around but she is still not hanging out with the others and keeps to herself. She will sleep with the rest, and they are not pecking at her. She appears healthy in all other ways. Her stools appear normal.

We went to ask the customer service people at the feed & grain store, and they gave my husband a bag of tetracycline hydrochloride (Duramycin 10). We will begin treating her tomorrow with this. I wondered if anyone had any other suggestions?

Thanks & I'm new to this board.
Rose

 

[klmclain1]

I don't think I'd start antibiotics quite yet... Have you looked her over thoroughly for mites/lice? Has she been wormed? If so, when and with what?

 

[2greenboyz]

Hi Rose, how long have you had these chickens, esp the one that is acting like that? Can you tell us what you've been feeding them? Have you actually observed her eating and drinking? What is in the water -do you use vitamins or ACV (apple cider vinegar) in it? A bird that is acting that way is not normal but we need to figure out why before we just assume an antibiotic can help. Sometimes it can make things worse - hate to confuse things for you b/c I know you want to take action and see it get better. Have you inspected it for mites or crawlies? Have they ever been wormed? How does her crop feel? Have you looked in her mouth and down her throat? Does her abdomen feel normal? Perhaps someone else has more ideas on this, but in the meantime plz provide a little more info. By the way, welcome to Backyard Chickens!

 

[LR Gamefarm]

is she still in her nest if so she might be sitting on eggs if so then if you dont want her to put a pair of gloves on and lift her up and remove the eggs