Sick EE? I dunno what is up with her (him)!

[LarryPQ]

I have an EE that was acting a little wonky the other day, clumsy. Today it is obvious there is something wrong.

Breed: EE--ish
Age: 12-13 weeks
Symptoms: Off-balance, no "spring" in step, puffed out--- as though cold, clumsy, falls when she tries to jump/hop.
Appetite: Good, saw her eating and drinking fine less than 10 minutes ago.
Energy: Seems lethargic, but still wants to explore with the flock. Was too easy to catch
Crop: Normal sized. Fills up at the end of the day.
Skin: No mites, no pecks, no pulled feathers. Color and sheen are good.
Respitory: No wheezing, sneezing, coughing, rattles. No discharge from eyes, nose, or vent.
Other: She likes to sleep under the BO. I have seen the Bo knock her off the roost. Possible head bonking from falling off the roost?



The rest of the flock is healthy and rambunctous. There have been no introductions to the flock except for my own hatched eggs--- All the chickens ate 16 weeks or younger. This EE was in a batch of 12 bought as day-olds. I have not been around any other chickens or to the feed store in a while.

 

[canada-goose]

No idea but good luck!

 

[ShaggysGirl]

Sorry I don't know what may be wrong with her... yes I would say she is a pullet.
Maybe try some vitamins to perk her up a little.

 

[Kittymomma]

Any chance it's worms or cocci? I know the rest of the flock is looking good, but I'd isolate her and check her droppings. Sometimes it his one before the others, somtimes one just has a weaker immune system and the others don't ever seem to have a problem.

I wouldn't rule out the head-bonking though--kids and critters, I'll never understand their thought process. You'd of thought she'd figured it out after the first couple of times she got knocked off the roost.....gotta love 'em! Good luck with her.

 

[LarryPQ]

Just when I thought I was done with the brooder.... Should I isolate her, like 100 yards away? Or just keep her in a crate in the coop area?

Should I just treat everyone for worms/cocci just in case?

 

[Kittymomma]

I'd stick her in the brooder until you can get a look at her stools. If you have room and there is another youngster that won't pick on her stick them both in there so she has a buddy. You haven't brought anything new in and while not everybody would agree I don't think quarantine right now will matter much. After you get a good look at her stools and do a hands on exam hopefully you'll have an idea what you're dealing with and be able to come up with a good plan of action. I don't like seperating them from the main flock any longer then needed because if they're out too long you have all the joy of reintegration. Another thing you might try if the stools look off, but you're not sure what exactly is going on, is take a sample to the vet and have it tested. Most vets don't require an office visit for that and it's only a few dollars. Keep the updates coming.

 

[sammi]

describe the droppings..color and consistency

check the crop..feel for lump, doughy mass or grainy feeling.

what all do you feed?

is she eating?

do you have cocci med on hand?

fecal test is the best route.

 

[LarryPQ]

I will isolate today and give a poo update.

Crop: still fine
Feed:chick grower, kitchen veggie scraps, garden "garbage" like ugly lettuce leaves or grass, yogurt, occasional bread scraps.
Appetite: Still eating this morning

Plenty of meds on hand.

 

[sammi]

I'd give just chick feed for now..a little plain yogurt and egg.
no lettuce or veggie peelings, etc...
see if this helps.

no pulled grass or weeds.

will wait for droppings description.
could be worms...


keep a good check on the crop...best to check in the morning before she eats..it should be empty..

I agree with Kittymomma...a buddy is good..long separations are stressful.

 

[LarryPQ]

No worms in droppings. Poos seem normal. I wasn't expecting worms since it is so dry here and I use DE in coop and in feed.

Yesterday I decided to scrub down the coop JIK, and let her out. She got halfway across the yard and collapsed. She can't even stand up now, tips forward and has no balance whatsoever. When she is laying on her side, her feet curl up towards her stomach.

I put her in the little brooder with food in a chick feeder and two chick waterers. She ate immediately, but not like she was starving. I did not see her drink.

I am concerned that with her lack of balance, she has not been able to jump up to the water dish (it sits on cinder blocks) and is too dumb to sit next to the chick waterers. She is probably now dehydrated--it has been over 100 degrees the last few days and WINDY. She is alert and clear-eyed.

The DH just checked her and said she was standing, but not well.

Edited: Crop is still empty in morning, with some in at night.