Road Island Red looking ill

[Stef82]

Hello all. I have a RIR that is looking ill. Her tail is down and her one leg is up with her head tucked behind her. I went in to check on her, and she still has some spunk to her when I try to get her. I checked her vent, looks clear. I felt around seeing if she's egg bound, but I feel nothing? Not sure what I should be feeling? All I felt are her bones and normal squishy stuff. Her poop looks a little runny, her nose is clear. Her comb looks a little pale. She is drinking a lot though. You'd think she would have chicken diabetes with the amount of water she's been taking in. She will pick at food just won't eat as much. I also checked to see if she was crop bound. Nothing there. She feels very light in weight and her eyes do look clear and alart. She does still walk around, just her tail is down and she looks like she's out there. I feel bad because I know most signs with tails down is due to pain or sick. And I don't know what her pain is.
We did have REALLY bad hot weather the past three days(100F). I made sure they had ice cold water, cool places to get away from the heat. Today the weather is much better. In the mid 70's.
I'm not sure if I should place her in a cat carrier?

 

[leadwolf1]

I am wondering is she isn't experiencing heat related stress. Can you bring her into the air and in a quiet, darkened room for a little R & R?

 

[Stef82]

I am wondering is she isn't experiencing heat related stress. Can you bring her into the air and in a quiet, darkened room for a little R & R?

I went ahead and placed her in a cat carrier and hoping the cooler air will help her. I gave her food and water and she went for the food. But she only picked at it. I watched her pick at it, and saw that she had a hard time eating the pellets. Maybe she can't eat the pellets? She had her beak cut when I purchased her two weeks ago. Looked like a small part of her bottom beak chipped off? only a small layer. So maybe the pellets are bothering her. What can I give her while she's in? all the feed stores are closed. I'd hate to find out that she's starving because of the food we are using.
Here she is in her nest box. I found her laying there all blah looking. Poor girl.

 

[leadwolf1]

Smash up the pellets into finer food. Or, you can make a mash out of the pellets with water. I usually make a yummy meal of the pellets, water, applesauce and yogurt...they love it!! You may have hit the nail on the head....she may not be able to eat!

 

[Stef82]

Smash up the pellets into finer food. Or, you can make a mash out of the pellets with water. I usually make a yummy meal of the pellets, water, applesauce and yogurt...they love it!! You may have hit the nail on the head....she may not be able to eat!

I'm very observant. I was raised around vets, and I try to look at every little detail. And THANK YOU so much for replying back. I don't have yogurt right now. You think pellets, water and applesauce would be ok?
Here she is in her crate.

 

[dawg53]

Smash up the pellets into finer food. Or, you can make a mash out of the pellets with water. I usually make a yummy meal of the pellets, water, applesauce and yogurt...they love it!! You may have hit the nail on the head....she may not be able to eat!

x2

 

[Stef82]

HA! She's eating the watered down pellets like mad! She's going nuts! She's even scratching at the bowl! Very good sign! She's picking at the pellets very carefully, but she's eating! Tomorrow I'll be buying her crushed layer food. Poor girl must have been starving for a week

 

[leadwolf1]

I am so very happy that you may have figured out the problem!!! Good luck to you and your girl Keep us posted so we know how she does but, something tells me that she is going to be so very happy, soon!!!

 

[Stef82]

Update - "Susie" is doing much better. Since she stayed indoors for two nights, my daughter went ahead and named her finally. Susie is doing much better. She's a little "off" since she's been placed back in the flock but she's eating and drinking. She still picks on the rooster like she's boss. But the other hens pick at her since she's "new" again. I'm just glad she's recovering nicely.

 

[leadwolf1]

yeah for Susie I hope she continues to improve for you!