Sick hen

[Erin80]

Thanks! We have a well secured heat lamp in there for cold days....they love to dust bathe under it. I just cleaned the entire coop out yesterday, so it's all lovely and fresh and clean now. It's not overly cold here, it's actually mild for this time of year......I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right with her. Especially because instead of foraging, she just stands in the run all puffed up for a couple days now.

 

[RodNTN]

If she normally forages and is usually active, something probably isn't right.
@casportpony @Eggcessive @oldhenlikesdogs @Wyorp Rock

 

[Mbart83]

Awesome! Has she laid any eggs?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

For the past few days, one of my 10 month old barred rock hens has been standing around not doing much, all puffed up. She will still pick at food, but doesn't forage outside and just stands there. I'm new at chicken keeping (this was our first winter), but I'm guessing could be coccidia? Sort of seems that way after doing some reading.
I live in Ontario Canada - any idea what is available here to treat with? I feel awful for her!

Thanks! We have a well secured heat lamp in there for cold days....they love to dust bathe under it. I just cleaned the entire coop out yesterday, so it's all lovely and fresh and clean now. It's not overly cold here, it's actually mild for this time of year......I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right with her. Especially because instead of foraging, she just stands in the run all puffed up for a couple days now.

How does her crop feel? Check it to make sure it's emptying overnight (full at night/empty in morning before eating and drinking).

When did she last lay an egg? Any swelling, bloat or feeling of fluid in the abdomen?

Poop photos would be helpful. Having a fluffed up appearance can be a number of things, chickens at that age can still succumb to Coccidiosis overload, but this is generally due to a weakened system or underlying condition/disease.

You mention that she is picking at food - sick birds will try to carry on and act as normal as possible until they just can't. Watch to see if she is actually eating or if she is picking the food up and dropping it back down. Keep her hydrated the best you can, hopefully we'll have some better suggestions with more information.

 

[Erin80]

Happy to report that she is all back to normal today! She’s outside pecking around, foraging, seems like herself again. Not sure what that was all about but glad she’s better anyway!

 

[CCUK]

That's great news! I hate it when my hens aren't looking great. It's always a great relief to see them happily scratching about again!

 

[Maryandgailthedog]

She may be egg bound??

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Happy to report that she is all back to normal today! She’s outside pecking around, foraging, seems like herself again. Not sure what that was all about but glad she’s better anyway!

Glad to hear that she is better!

Sometimes if they have trouble passing an egg or possibly a soft shell egg (you may not see that, other chickens will snarf that down) they will act like that.

Hopefully she has no more problems, but I would keep a watch on her for several days to make sure she is eating/drinking well and her crop is emptying overnight.