Second hen showing signs of lethargy...

[BigBlueHen53]

No animal will fake being sick. The opposite is true, as another poster said - they will hide signs of illness because a sick bird, or any other animal, is an easy target. A critter that looks or acts sick is usually very sick indeed.

 

[CaptainSamH]

Ok, so I gently checked for an egg near her vent. Did not feel anything but she released some poop, see photos. Gave her a little yogurt ro ease the shock. Hasn't moved much since.

 

[CaptainSamH]

No animal will fake being sick. The opposite is true, as another poster said - they will hide signs of illness because a sick bird, or any other animal, is an easy target. A critter that looks or acts sick is usually very sick indeed.

Yes, I meant that she'd be taking the normal behavior and I should NOT relax and assume she's fine.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes, I meant that she'd be taking the normal behavior and I should NOT relax and assume she's fine.

Oh, I see. Sorry, I misunderstood, thanks.

 

[CaptainSamH]

Oh, I see. Sorry, I misunderstood, thanks.

No worries. There's just so much knowledge to absorb and I definitely got fooled last time

 

[ValerieJ]

No worries. There's just so much knowledge to absorb and I definitely got fooled last time

I know what you mean. I have been reading this site for 3 years and if one of my chickens got sick I'd be on here asking questions. Do I need to give her vitamins? probiotics?? Corid? Amoxicilin? Good grief. I have a whole medicine cabinet for them, which luckily I haven't needed. I just want to be ready. Like you, I see them as my pets. I do watch them closely and randomly check for mites or lice. Luckily haven't had to deal with that either.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm with you, @ValerieJ . Gradually building up a little pharmaceutical for them. Just. In. Case!

 

[CaptainSamH]

I know what you mean. I have been reading this site for 3 years and if one of my chickens got sick I'd be on here asking questions. Do I need to give her vitamins? probiotics?? Corid? Amoxicilin? Good grief. I have a whole medicine cabinet for them, which luckily I haven't needed. I just want to be ready. Like you, I see them as my pets. I do watch them closely and randomly check for mites or lice. Luckily haven't had to deal with that either.

So, where do get these medications? From a veterinarian? From a feed store?

 

[ValerieJ]

So, where do get these medications? From a veterinarian? From a feed store?

I have made it my mission to find them. Most of them came from the feed store, but not necessarily the chicken section. Some vitamins and wound care I got at a drug store. I’m still looking for activated charcoal and even passed on an article on how to make it to DH. I’ve been thinking about starting an article with suggestions for a medicine bag for chickens, but will see if one exists first. I’m sure if I start one people will pitch in with info and soon we will have a comprehensive list. Wouldn’t that be great?

 

[CaptainSamH]

Can you post some photos of the poop and of the pullet?
Is her crop empty, full, bloated, etc.?

You mentioned a couple of time that you just re-introduced grit and oyster shell was there a reason why you took it away? Making both available free choice is best, imho.

Ok, got an update...first of all, big time thanks to everyone on this thread so far. It has been immensely helpful and I've been able to take somempoaitive steps based on the advice here.
So here's what's up now: got separate grit and oyster shells available in the coop and have refreshed the water with acv, electrolytes & probiotics. I kept a sharp eye on the pullet yesterday and today (kinda blew off my grad school homework, but priorities, amiright?) and signs were no worse, still very subtle, seemed like a little less standing around today, but I did miss a chunk of the day running errands.
Given that, I haven't separated her yet and have seen no signs of bad behavior from the others. We have cut out all treats/kitchen scraps for now, with one exception. Yesterday evening before they went in to roost I mashed up a tablet of Calcium Citrate in about a tbsp of yogurt and she ate most of it. This afternoon I gave her another "dose" with a sprinkle of the electrolyte/probiotics powder in there as well and she gobbled it up. I found our hot water bottle and should be able to rig that tomorrow, but also have a vet appointment (much more reasonable price than the emergency rate they quoted for my other hen) so hopefully will have some answers.