LittleBirdling
Hatching
- Jan 2, 2019
- 3
- 2
- 4
Hey-- One of my oldest hens, (I think a cinnamon queen or red orpington, not really sure) about three years old, has been getting really lethargic and refuses to eat or drink water. Her normally bright red comb has turned almost completely black, and she can no longer walk or fly. When she tries to move around, it's almost dragging herself by her wings and barely shuffling her feet.
A couple days ago she was still walking, although I did notice she wasn't eating that much. She also had diarrhea with green and yellow splotches, but I attributed that to us feeding her too many snacks due to the holidays and moved on. A week ago she was fine. Athena is one of my favourites, and although I might not be able to take her to a vet or something, I want to give her a chance.
I don't think she's laid an egg in a couple days, so she might be egg bound or something, but I don't understand how the blackened comb would fit into this. I don't know much about birds, so I've checked online for her symptoms but to no avail. I examined her vent to the best of my abilities, but all I've noticed is that she had lost some feathers on her belly closest the the vent and the skin showing was inflamed and looked a little puffy.
She hasn't been talking to any of the other birds since her diarrhea, and is acting really tame and allowing us to pick her up without struggling. This isn't like her at all, she's a really bossy and feisty bird.
We live in Southern California, so it isn't snowing or anything, but it does get quite cold at night. We've been putting her in the coop to sleep because of this, but it isn't that well insulated or anything.
TL;DR: Three year old chicken's comb has turned black, she's not eating or drinking, and cannot walk. I don't think she's laid an egg in a couple days. She's quite lethargic, and had diarrhea a little while back. Some of her belly feathers closest to the vent are gone and the skin shone is quite inflamed and looks puffy. She's very quiet and doesn't talk anymore, nor struggle when we try to pick her up. Please help! I don't want to lose her.
A couple days ago she was still walking, although I did notice she wasn't eating that much. She also had diarrhea with green and yellow splotches, but I attributed that to us feeding her too many snacks due to the holidays and moved on. A week ago she was fine. Athena is one of my favourites, and although I might not be able to take her to a vet or something, I want to give her a chance.
I don't think she's laid an egg in a couple days, so she might be egg bound or something, but I don't understand how the blackened comb would fit into this. I don't know much about birds, so I've checked online for her symptoms but to no avail. I examined her vent to the best of my abilities, but all I've noticed is that she had lost some feathers on her belly closest the the vent and the skin showing was inflamed and looked a little puffy.
She hasn't been talking to any of the other birds since her diarrhea, and is acting really tame and allowing us to pick her up without struggling. This isn't like her at all, she's a really bossy and feisty bird.
We live in Southern California, so it isn't snowing or anything, but it does get quite cold at night. We've been putting her in the coop to sleep because of this, but it isn't that well insulated or anything.
TL;DR: Three year old chicken's comb has turned black, she's not eating or drinking, and cannot walk. I don't think she's laid an egg in a couple days. She's quite lethargic, and had diarrhea a little while back. Some of her belly feathers closest to the vent are gone and the skin shone is quite inflamed and looks puffy. She's very quiet and doesn't talk anymore, nor struggle when we try to pick her up. Please help! I don't want to lose her.
