Sick Chicken! Tail feathers are down, not moving, seems to be panting.

[Dee Dee N Desiree]

My Buffy is not behaving correctly. She did take a drink of water. she is slow to move. Buffy did not come out with the other girls this morning. She is a little over a year old. She is a Buff Orpington.
Any Suggestions??????

 

[Krcismesia]

Is it hot where you live? Sometimes they pant if they are overheated. Also, they could be overheated if they stretch their wings far from their bodies

 

[rebrascora]

Can you examine her thoroughly, particularly for any abdominal swelling between her legs. Compare against other healthy birds. Ascites (water belly) would cause her to be slow and struggle to breath and be keen to drink. It can be caused by a number of factors including reproductive issues and diet as well as genetic disposition.
Do you know when she last laid an egg?
What do you feed them?

 

[Dee Dee N Desiree]

I live in Washington state. it is about 65 right now. She has been like this since early this morning. Her wings are tucked in. She is currently laying next to the water dish. I brought down some plain yogurt and lettuce. She had a few pecks at the yogurt. I saw her take 1 gulp of water. Her head is up and looking around. She is a pretty active chicken normanlly and one of the first out of the coop in the morning. Im pretty concerned!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Yes, you need to be on top of this. Andrea to @rebrascora’s questions will help. I don’t think it would hurt and might help to give her some calcium. Do you have a human calcium citrate pill you can crush over scrambled egg for her?

 

[rebrascora]

A photo of her might help too.

 

[Dee Dee N Desiree]

Can you examine her thoroughly, particularly for any abdominal swelling between her legs. Compare against other healthy birds. Ascites (water belly) would cause her to be slow and struggle to breath. It can be caused by a number of factors including reproductive issues and diet as well as genetic disposition.
Do you know when she last laid an egg?
What do you feed them?

She layed one yesterday. I feed them in the morning: Purina layer, scratch grains, meal worms, a little sprinkle of herbs. Sunflower seeds as a treat. spinach, lettuce, corn in the afternoon. Once in a while the get some grapes and other veggies and some plain yogurt.

 

[Dee Dee N Desiree]

A photo of her might help too.

She layed one yesterday. I feed them in the morning: Purina layer, scratch grains, meal worms, a little sprinkle of herbs. Sunflower seeds as a treat. spinach, lettuce, corn in the afternoon. Once in a while the get some grapes and other veggies and some plain yogurt.

I checked her belly it doesn't seem swollen. She was a little more alert but still not moving. She did nothing when I examined her and she didn't try to get away. She talked to me a little. Thank you for all the suggestions. I took a picture and a video, having problems uploading them.

 

[Dee Dee N Desiree]

Buffy is moving just a little bit. She has eaten a little. She has had about 10 gulps of water. I think it's a step in the right direction. Buffy's tail feathers are still down and she is still panting. I have cleaned the water and the coop today as a precaution. I have found nothing out of the ordinary. I'd still love any input. I tried the calcium but she wouldn't take any. I do have the oyster shells in with the food for the calcium.

 

[Dee Dee N Desiree]

It's now 8:45pm here on Camano Island. Buffy is more active and alert. She came up to the fence when I gave the girls some lettuce. It made my heart so happy. I still saw a little panting and her tail feathers were not so low. Feeling better. Whew!!!