sick chook

[newchooky111]

i have a chook 18 months old that is sickly, iwent into the pen today to find her just laying on the floor at first i thought she was dead but no, she is very lethargic but can stand she doesnt move around just finds a spot and lays there, i picked her up and she is very thin hardly any meat on the breast at all.
i have had a good look at her and can find nothing on her like lice etc,when i fed them i had to put the sweetcorn under her beak but she did eat some,''i believe i have been giving them to much ''other '' food so they have not been eating there mash or the seed mix but my other girls are fine.
This did happen last year when i went to the UK in OCT/NOV my wife phoned to say that this was happening ,i told her to give the chook a cpl days which she did but no reponse from her and my next door neighbour was going to do the deed for me but i said just give her another day ,and lo and behold my wife went into the pen the next day and she was fine and has been ever since.
I am asking anyone who may have had the same problem or who may possibly have some advice for me,what i am going to do now is clean all the pen and use diatomaceous earth to clean it and powder the nesting boxes etc, i do put a worming fluid and the cider vinegar in there water, the vinegar every time i change the water ,every 2 to 3 days and the worming fluid every month approx,but i will ''unless told different'' put some worming fluid down her throat with an eye dropper as she may not be drinking.
Please help as i dont want to put her down, i did have them for eggs but i only get one a day from the three girls an occasional two, i have never had three eggs a day since i had them 16 months ago, now i just love them as they come and sit with me when i go into the pen they love a cuddle, they are asa browns if that helps with any advice,my wife thinks i am silly with them and i suppose i do spoil them which may be part of the problem.Any help appreciated
cheers Richard H

 

[yellowsummer]

I have one that was acting lethargic, not eating much and not going out with the rest of the flock on their outings. She's doing better now. Not back to 100% normal, but definitely getting there.
I'd recommend probiotics. Can get at feed stores for chickens or from a drug store for people. I used the kind from the feed store that you put in the water. Also doing electrolytes the same way.
Why are you worming on a monthly schedule? What wormer do you use? I have never wormed mine and have had no problems for the 5 years I've had them. I occasionally get a pumpkin, cut it in half and give to them. The seeds are a natural dewormer.
I'm also wondering about this because the chemicals in the dewormer could be negatively effecting the good bacteria in the digestive system, making it easier for bad bacteria to have its way.
I try to keep mine healthy by feeding organic feed only. I mix kelp meal in the feed for vitamins and minerals. I try to give them the nutrition they need to have strong immune systems. Probiotics are very helpful to keep the immune system going strong too.
There are sooo many things that could have caused your lady to be sick. Wild birds carry diseases, worms and bugs they find and eat can carry stuff, something could contaminate the feed, and even their own poo can cause them sickness.
I hope she feels better soon! Best wishes!

 

[yellowsummer]

Just remembered- Diatomaceous earth is also a natural dewormer. If you have the food grade kind, just mix a little in their feed occasionally if you're concerned with intestinal parasites. I just feel like using a chemical dewormer monthly is over doing it... and could reek havoc on their normal microbes. Just my opinion though.