SICK PULLET ( 21 WEEKS)

[abottrell]

HELP! Tiger is sick. .I am not sure what is wrong, I just noticed this morning she is very lethargic. I am not sure if she is eating, but feeling her crop, i dont think so, or at least not much. I got her to eat a tiny bit of watermelon and a few meal worms.. She comes out with the other girls in the flock, but just lies there. she will run and fuss if i pick her up, but gets worn out really fast and then goes and lays down. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[GitaBooks]

Is it hot out? Could she be egg bound?

If it isn't either of these, I would separate her and keep her warm and offer some vitamins in water to keep her hydrated. Is she wheezing? What do her droppings look like? Is she limping at all?

I hope she gets better soon.

 

[abottrell]

i dont notice any of the wheezing, or runny nose or eyes.. she has not been injured, and i checked for mites, and did not see anything.It has been hot, but not anything above what it has been all summer. We did have a rain storm two days ago, and it was about 20 degrees cooler, and then yesterday was hot again. Today is a bit cooler than yesterday. Could it be stress? We integrated three other pullets to the flock a few days ago. They have been able to see each other thru chicken wire for over a month. The 3 new ones are younger, and are still being picked on by everyone. I am not sure if i should separate Tiger, as she is one of the lower on the pecking order, since She seems to be doing better after the watermelon and meal worms. She is not near as red in the comb, and doesn't seem quite ready to lay yet.. she has been the slowest developer from chickhood. Sorry for the rambling, but it has me all flustered.. I love my chickens, and I am just super nervous.

 

[abottrell]

How would i check to see if she was eggbound??

 

[GitaBooks]

Its kind of gross, but if you put a glove on and lubricate it and then feel inside of her vent, you can feel an egg.

 

[abottrell]

oh, okay. it is so weird, she was acting okay for a little bit in the afternoon today, but i found her up in the coop by herself just a little bit ago. When we went to see what was up, she went out with the other girls, but then was all puffy, and not acting right again.. she would stand in one spot, be a little lethargic, close one of her eyes. we brought her in for the night to keep an eye on her, put some electrolytes in the her water.. i am kind of afraid i will hurt her while checking if she is egg bound. Her Poo seems a little smaller than normal, but not loose or anything.

 

[abottrell]

Also,
she is now in the house for the night. i am noticing that she is panting a little bit. not sure if that is nerves or something else.

 

[MrsBachbach]

Also,
she is now in the house for the night. i am noticing that she is panting a little bit. not sure if that is nerves or something else.

Being on the bottom of the pecking order she likely hasn't been eating enough. Since you have her inside, scramble or hard boil an egg and mash it up fine for her and see if she will eat it. Sometimes a little honey in the water will give some energy to them. I would pick up a good vit/min mix to add to the drinking water. A lack of certain vitamins and minerals can cause a type of muscular weakness. I would add it for a week, then just a few days a week for maintenance. Birds that don't eat enough are at risk. You can find these at most feed stores or online. But for now, a good egg full of vitamins and a bit of honey in the water for energy could help.

 

[abottrell]

Maybe. She has always seemed to be able to eat. I have her in the house still in a crate. I put some chick boost in the water. It has vitamins, probiotics, and electrolytes. She seems okay this morning. I am keeping an eye on her today I. The house so we will see. Thank you so much for your replies!

 

[abottrell]

still not sure what is going on with her.. like i said,she seems okay so far this morning..but then she has her own food and water too. I wonder if it has anything to do with just stress. 2 of her flock mates just starting laying this week. She is not quite ready to lay yet, her comb isnt nearly as big or red as any of the others. could she be stressed and confused with all the commotion? i dont know, i am probably putting human emotions on a chicken.. lol. i think i will keep her in the rest of the day today to keep an eye on her, and hopefully she will continue to improve. We have 2 feeding and water stations, so i would hope she could at least eat or drink somewhere.