Sick chicken?

[annabelle08]

I'm wondering if I have a sick chicken? My chickens are just 2 years old, went through their first molt this spring. Since they started laying again, I've only been getting anywhere from 2 to 3 eggs a day and occasionally 4, (they had been laying 6 every day) This morning I went to feed them and noticed one did not come for the food. I checked in the next box and she was not there and did spot her in the other yard. She did not move from me even when I petted her which is unusual. Then she very slowly walked a couple of feet away and I noticed she had yellow (poop) feathers on her bottom. Any ideas of what I should look for? Thanks for any ideas...

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings annabelle08,

If you can't take her to see a vet for what ever reason, maybe we can figure out what is wrong.

Your hen is sick. Put her in a hospital crate so you can observe her better for additional symptoms. You can put paper, a towel or a mat for her to sit on. These are easy to swap out or clean.

She cannot compete for food in her weakened condition. If she goes off feed, you'll also need to provide good supportive care for her. This includes, feeding her other things she'll eat. Cooked brown rice or other whole grains, egg, diced meats, chopped fresh vegies, cooked mixed frozen vegies, diced fruits etc. Also, offer wet and dry mash. If she refuses all food this means she has a serious illness.

Provide fresh water with electrolytes, and administer some full strength to her. A dose of poultry vitamins like Nutri-Drench are good too.

In order to determine what can be ailing her, you'll need to provide more details.
Check her for respiratory symptoms (eye or nasal discharge, rattling in the chest, etc.), feel for lumps or swelling from her head to cloaca, look under her wings for injury or lumps, check the crop this evening, is it filled, soft and doughy? In the morning it should be empty. Check to see if she is egg bound, too. Look under her feet, any cuts or scabs?
While you are checking her, smell her too. Is there any foul odors from the mouth, body, poop? Try to be thorough.

If you can upload a picture of her poop, and one of her too, that would be helpful.

God Bless