Hello! Hoping for some guidance/help. This is my first time owning chickens, and I’ve found myself with a sick hen. We have a total of 8 birds, all around 12 weeks old. Today is Tuesday, and last Friday night we noticed 1 chicken (splash ameraucana) who was just laying down in our run and looking really lethargic. We went in to check on her and she didn’t move at all. We noticed she was breathing heavy and could really see the beak slowly opening and closing with each breath. Not something we really ever noticed. She could barely stand on her own and her walking was really wobbly (almost like she was drunk). We brought her inside immediately. She won’t eat on her own but will eat if fed directly. Water is a big issue so outside of dipping her beak in water we’ve been heavily mixing it in with her feed to make a mush. We’ve also been using:
VetRX - mixing a little in with water and mush when feeding. Also traditional method on her comb, wings, etc at night time.
Corid - purchased, but haven’t administered. Her poops seem very normal. Not runny, and no blood.
NutraDrench - Mixing in with water and food mush.
SolaGuard - Just started this because it was suggested to try deworming. Hard to tell because it’s difficult to dose one bird per the instructions, plus drinking is a struggle. But we’re adding to her mush. Today (Tuesday) is the first full day of treatment.
As mentioned, she will eat a lot when fed, but doesn’t seem to have interest in her own. I think she improved when we brought her inside and started feeding directly because she probably wasn’t eating on her own at all outside. But the improvement isn’t anything to write home about. Still lethargic and still not a strong walker. Part of me feels like we’re just keeping her alive by feeding her and that if this were a nature thing she would have passed.
So what am I missing? Does she have a chance at recovery? Should I add Corid to her cocktail? It’s with noting that none of the other birds are showing any symptoms. They were all vaxed, which isn’t a guarantee for Merricks, but worth noting.
Any help would be appreicated! Thank you!
VetRX - mixing a little in with water and mush when feeding. Also traditional method on her comb, wings, etc at night time.
Corid - purchased, but haven’t administered. Her poops seem very normal. Not runny, and no blood.
NutraDrench - Mixing in with water and food mush.
SolaGuard - Just started this because it was suggested to try deworming. Hard to tell because it’s difficult to dose one bird per the instructions, plus drinking is a struggle. But we’re adding to her mush. Today (Tuesday) is the first full day of treatment.
As mentioned, she will eat a lot when fed, but doesn’t seem to have interest in her own. I think she improved when we brought her inside and started feeding directly because she probably wasn’t eating on her own at all outside. But the improvement isn’t anything to write home about. Still lethargic and still not a strong walker. Part of me feels like we’re just keeping her alive by feeding her and that if this were a nature thing she would have passed.
So what am I missing? Does she have a chance at recovery? Should I add Corid to her cocktail? It’s with noting that none of the other birds are showing any symptoms. They were all vaxed, which isn’t a guarantee for Merricks, but worth noting.
Any help would be appreicated! Thank you!
