Sick Chicken

[hollyh]

My favorite hen, a Leghorn I rescued along a wooded road in 2007, is sick. I first took notice yesterday that she was sort of hunched over and holding herself funny. She is very lethargic, won't eat, wasn't taking care of herself (lots of dried poo on her bottom that I just cleaned up). I think she's dying and I don't know what to do? What can I do to help her? Is she sick or just old? I have no idea how old she really is and don't know how long chickens usually live.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Is she skinny?

Diarrhea and skinny make me think of the possibility of worms but I don't know what is wrong. I hope she gets better- what an old gal and she has been through so much!

 

[hollyh]

She is not really skinny but you got me thinking ...she felt sort of light when I picked her up and brought her inside. Except for her strange hunched posture you would not think anything was wrong with her. I did get her to drink and she ate two handfuls of sunflower seeds late this afternoon. But she didn't move from the top of the dryer where I left her all day. I hope she lives through the night...she's a sweetie and I love her. Thanks for your concern!

 

[dawg53]

I agree with ChickensAreSweet, sounds like worms. I recommend dosing her with either valbazen cattle/sheep wormer or safeguard liquid goat wormer.
Inspect her for lice/mites as well.

 

[fogandcopper]

I agree with this.