Sick chicken... help please.

[Ana Robin]

Hi, all.

I have an Aracauna that is showing signs of lethargy. For the past few days, she's been keeping to herself and today she seems to be wanting to lay around. When I go to pick her up, rather than bolting from me like usual, she lets me pick her up. I do not feel a bulge where her crop is and her vent appears to be clear. I've quarantined her to the 'hospital room' (crate with lots of hay for warmth and comfort; warm water w/splash of apple cider vinegar, some feed and mealworms) I'm not sure what to do from here. Advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kiki]

Removing her from the flock if others are not picking on her may cause more stress.

What is her age?

 

[Eggcessive]

If I have had sick hens, they will usually eat some chopped scrambled egg. Wet chicken feed is also usually accepted. Keep an eye on her droppings for diarrhea or blood. Is she laying eggs? Have you checked inside her vent an inch or two with a finger for a stuck egg?

 

[Ana Robin]

No, I've not done that. I haven't seen any green eggs in recent times, so maybe that's it. I'll have a look this when we put all of the animals to bed for the night. She is about a year and a half.

 

[Ana Robin]

Will she take to eating eggs out of the coop if I feed her scrambled eggs?
I'd keep her with the others but I'm concerned she might be ill.

I appreciate the help. Thank you both.

 

[Kiki]

Will she take to eating eggs out of the coop if I feed her scrambled eggs?
I'd keep her with the others but I'm concerned she might be ill.

I appreciate the help. Thank you both.

No feeding eggs does not make a hen turn into an egg eater.

 

[Kiki]

You may like this article:
Egg Binding: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

 

[Ana Robin]

I just checked her vent and she is not egg bound. Looks like the down below her vent is dirty but I see no evidence of diarrhea in the kennel. It does not look like she is eating or drinking,but I could not be certain.

 

[Ana Robin]

You may like this article:
Egg Binding: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Thank you for the info!

 

[micstrachan]

Is her abdomen (fluffy butt) swollen and squishy? Have you come across any shell-less eggs? Wondering if she could have a reproductive issue (internal laying, salpingitis, egg yolk peritonitis). Do you have access to an avian vet?