I have a chicken that has been sick on and off for about a month. At first she was acting lethargic and couldn't fly up to her nesting box or the roost we have (and she was still laying then). And then she started to get a little bit better, she was walking around acting normal and I thought it was just a little sickness that she had gotten over. Then two days ago I went out to the coop in the morning and she was practically hanging off the roost, just limp over it like a rag. So I picked her up and put her in one of our nesting boxes with a bunch of fluff, some water, and a little bit of food. She didn't eat anything but she did drink some water and she seemed to at least perk up a little bit by lifting her head and being alert. Also she stopped laying eggs. So tonight I brought her inside and she has some moist heat and a heat lamp, (thats what it said to do if she possibly has egg binding in her body. But I'm not sure because she isn't even straining to push an egg our or anything. So her full list of symptoms are: Lethargic, won't stand very steadily, Weak, Stopped laying, some sort of stuffy nose (she is breathing out of her mouth, but it is the first night she is doing so). Also i noticed that she has some black spots on her comb, but I can't quite tell if they are all scabs, (some are for sure scabs from the healthy ones picking on her) or something else. She is less than a year old. Any advice would help
keep her isolated from the others and warm. I would give her some electrolyte solution to help give her strenght. Check her for lice/mites/worms. with a stuffy nose may be a respirtory infection, you can look up the treatment form that in the search engine. good luck with her
I give all my chickens a natural wormer called Diatomaceous Earth. And the electorlyte solution can it be like a human one like "Emercency"
have u noticed a change in her egg size when she was laying? 1 of my chickens had the same symptoms as urs, but b4 she stopped laying she had monster eggs. heres what i did WHAT TO DO: soak her in a bath (the temp. u wud do 4 a baby) and rub her but getting any poo she had off of her, and messoge her stumach (dont b 2 ruff with her or u could crack an egg inside her) this help her relax and hopefully gets her better, keep her overnight inside with heat, food, and water, check how much shes pooing and what it looks like, if she seems better by morning put her back with the rest (but keep a close eye on her), if she doesnt seem better do everything over again. my chicken had fazes like this every 6 months or so, after the 3rd time she died, the vet said she was probably miss bred and didnt grow right inside. if ur chicken is not eating by the 2nd day u need 2 force feed her, (deluted apples sauce, baby food, and water,) suringe it into her mouth so she keeps up her energy. hope she getts better ASAP!!!
Evidently she was laying most of the time she's been sick, so I would guess she stopped from the stress of her illness, whatever it is. Yes, you can use people electrolytes, but don't give her too much, maybe a tsp or two if she's reluctant to drink, or it she's drinking OK, put a few tablespoons in a gallon waterer. Offer a little of something soft to eat, her feed with a little yogurt, or a favorite treat. If she were mine I would probably try worming her with a chemical wormer (DE will not cure an infestation and probably has no effect on worms.) You should worm your chickens once or twice a year, anyway, or at least many on here feel you should. A lot of birds are carriers of something like CRD and when they get ill from another problem it is likely to show up. This may be why she has a runny nose. Of course a vet might be able to figure something out to save her, or they might not. If this is not an option, don't feel badly, many on here do not. Here are some links, in case you haven't found some of this info: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044 http://healthybirds.umd.edu/Disease/Deworming Birds.pdf https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=203048&p=2 Good luck.
It is unfortunate & confusing that so many chicken illnesses have similar signs and symptoms. It's doubtful to me that this is from worms as other members of your flock would likely also have infestations and you would be seeing signs with them too. The possibility could be Marek's as individual's immunity varies greatly with some breeds being more susceptible. (Even with vaccinating there is no guarantee a bird can't develop it later in life.) If she is egg bound, you will feel the egg within the abdomen in the oviduct. A great site for learning to alleviate this is: http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-treat-Egg-Binding-18782083. Though a trip to the vet is the most advisable. If this is from a respiratory infection- which commonly occur during cold, wet weather- here are a few things I have had great success with: Add garlic oil to her water. I use those inexpensive tablets you can purchase from any store that sells vitamins. I squeeze 3 of them per gallon of water. You can also use fresh garlic; about 5 finely minced cloves per gallon. Garlic is a powerful tonic, antiseptic, antibacterial, and immune system supporter. The other remedy that I use, often in addition to the garlic is lavender oil. It also is a great antibacterial, antiseptic, as well as creating a calming sensation. I put 5 drops directly into the beak of the bird. I just had a Showgirl rooster that was sneezing & snuffly from hanging out in the rain too much. After administering the lavender oil, his symptoms stopped with a day. Garlic & lavender are anthelmintic/vermifuges (meaning they can expel worms). Molasses is a wonderful electrolyte and cleanser. Add about a teaspoon per gallon of water or administer a few drops directly by beak. Molasses is a great source of copper, calcium (as well as aiding calcium absorption), vitamins, minerals, and micro-nutrients. Lastly, fresh or dried herbs like nettles, comfrey, echinacea, goldenseal, oregano, rosemary, or chickweed are a real boon. Mix a couple of tablespoons into some prepared oatmeal. This helps support the immune system and provides easily assimable nutrients and tonic medicine. Hope this helps and your girl recovers.
