Sick chicken - lethargic and stock still

[Mrs Lackford]

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
3 months old Isa brown -

2) What is the behavior, exactly.

Stood still - didn’t come out of her run for free ranging today, just stood in the corner stock still - had a few pecks of treats but no interest.

won’t walk around, looks very lethargic - standing weirdly.... could be egg bound maybe but she laid this morning (no idea if this is possible!)

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
None

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
None visible

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
unknown

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Had a few small
Pecks of treats - no drinking.

8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
haven’t seen her po

9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?


10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?

ideally treat at home

11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.

12) Describe the housing/bedding in use

wooden coop with wood chip, she was just stood in corner of the run not

 

[micstrachan]

Is this pullet integrated with an older flock? Integration time for young pullets often resulting coccidiosis flareups. Also, what is her body language like? Are her feathers puffed and her tail down?

 

[Mrs Lackford]

H

Is this pullet integrated with an older flock? Integration time for young pullets often resulting coccidiosis flareups. Also, what is her body language like? Or her feathers puffed and her tail down?

her tail is up, she’s the same age as the other 2 and they’ve been together for 2 months so far.

 

[micstrachan]

These little girls are laying already? Could be an egg issue if so. Do you know how to check her crop? It’s the food pouch where her neck meets for chest… Slightly to the right. It should be full before she goes to roost, but flat and empty when she gets up in the morning.

 

[micstrachan]

Also, what are you feeding these girls? Can you spell out exactly what you feed them including treats?

 

[Mrs Lackford]

Hey, thanks -
They are laying, she laid this morning.
Her crop is full. They eat vermX layers pellets and treat wise is a mixture of cracked corn, mealworms (dried) and sunflower seed (hearts) - she had a small peck at these earlier today as she’s easily the lightest of the three by at least 1.5 k

 

[micstrachan]

If she laid this morning, I don’t think that is the issue. Are you providing granite grit? If they have anything besides the pelleted or crumble feed, they need grit to help break it down in the gizzard.

 

[micstrachan]

I learned the hard way after multiple warnings from others that treats can be problematic. I know it’s so cute to have them run to you and watch them eat treats, but it can deplete the nutrients they really need. I felt I was barely giving mine any treats and still ended up with an excess body fat problem in my flock. It killed one of them. I don’t mean to sound dramatic… I’m just trying to spread awareness, because I thought I was already aware of it and still ended up with it in my flock.

 

[micstrachan]

One more thing to consider… I know you only have three, but is she lowest in the pecking order? Is it possible the others are bullying her away from feed and water?

 

[micstrachan]

Oh wait… You said her crop is full. I’m wondering if her crop isn’t clearing properly.