Sick pullet, or trying to lay?

[greenlemonade05]

I need some help figuring out what's going on with my almost 16 week old Easter Egger pullet.

It's been consistently cold here in Central Ohio, in the teens during the day and dipping into negatives at night. I dont think I have issues with ventilation in my coop.

Yesterday and this morning, when I opened the coop, my Easter Egger Cocoa wouldn't run to the feeder and waterer with the rest of the hens and pullets. She went to a branch to puff up and roost, closing her eyes. I've seen the rest of the chickens do this too, but only after they're well fed. Her behavior seemed out of the ordinary, so I brought her inside the garage to the brooder with heat lamp.

She perked up a bit, and scratched around in straw. However, she wasn't really interested in food or water. She's been standing like she's going to lay an egg, but she still seems too young and small to start. Her pelvic bones are not yet 2 finger widths apart. I put a tiny amount of layer feed near her food, and she gobbled it up and drank some water.

I haven't seen any droppings yet. I really don't think it's Coccidiosis or Marek's. I do not hear any odd respiratory sounds. Her crop is empty, so I dont think it's sour crop. I'm wondering if she's sick, or just having a hard time

trying to lay. I'm worried about giving her layer feed since she hasn't laid yet, but it's the only thing she wants to eat. Could she be needing the calcium?

Sorry for the long post, but this is my first time raising chicks. My older hens I have were already laying when I purchased.

 

[junebuggena]

She's not mature enough to be ready to lay eggs, so that's definitely not what is going on. She really doesn't look well at all. Coccidiosis is the most likely culprit. Cold weather makes things like internal parasite problems harder to cope with. Give her unmedicated chick starter. Wet it down if she refuses to eat it dry. Layer feed is not good for birds that are still growing and developing. And start her on a course of Corid.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sounds like it could be cocci, actually... not really Marek's.

Or she just might be cold.

She doesn't look ready to lay. Especially at since she was maturing through the diminishing daylight hours would usually delay it a little since the lay hormone is light triggered. Layer has lower protein and higher calcium than needed for her age and breed, both of which can actually delay onset of laying.

ETA: I also would start the Corid (amprolium) and feel it will be beneficial without causing any harm.

 

[PirateGirl]

You are doing the right thing keeping her inside for now. Until you can figure out exactly what's going on, keep her warm, fed, watered. You could put a little ACV in her water (it changes the PH in their digestive tract and helps promote the growth of good flora in their system) you can put a little honey or molasses in her water because sometimes just a lil sugar can help perk up a bird that's under the weather you can feed her extra yummy healthy food by mixing her existing food with warm water or warm milk or scrambling an egg for her. None of these suggestions will hurt a bird that is well and perhaps just a bit cold, they all may help her feel a bit better, but none of them are cures for any particular ailment either. Keep watching her, update this thread as you have more info. and hopefully the combined knowledge on BYC can help you get your girl feeling well.

 

[ChickNanny13]

All great advice

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us Wish it were under better circumstances, but you're getting great advice.

 

[greenlemonade05]

Thanks for all the advice...I wasn't thinking it was Cocci because I hadn't seen any kind of abnormal droppings, and it's been so cold. I thought that is more prevalent in wet, warmer months.

I did mix some grower feed with water, ACC and some honey. I wrapped her in a towel and brought her in the house and held the bowl in front of her. She eats some, falls asleep, wakes up, eats some more, etc. I put her back in the brooder, and she started eating the scrambled egg that she wouldn't touch earlier. Still haven't seen droppings yet, but maybe soon now that she's had something to eat and drink. She's showing some signs of improvement...if she gets worse instead of better, I will start Corid.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

molasses

Use this one with caution as it can cause a laxative effect.

I really don't think it's Coccidiosis

Although only 1 strain of cocci presents as blood in stool, can you please describe color and consistency?

Simple electrolyte solution to help some birds prevent dehydration if they aren't drinking enough or are having diarrhea, is... 2 cups warm water, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar (still has it molasses which has some micro nutrients), 1/2 teaspoon EACH salt and baking soda. Stir until dissolved and serve full strength 1/2 teaspoon salt substitute (potassium chloride) can also be added.

I don't see any reason why that solution would interfere with treating for Coccidiosis.

 

[greenlemonade05]

She hasn't had any droppings yet since I put her in the brooder this morning. If and when she poops, I will give an update.

I do have some powdered Corid. Is everyone on here thinking that I should just treat her for Cocci anyway, even though I'm not sure if that's the problem?

 

[junebuggena]

She hasn't had any droppings yet since I put her in the brooder this morning. If and when she poops, I will give an update.

I do have some powdered Corid. Is everyone on here thinking that I should just treat her for Cocci anyway, even though I'm not sure if that's the problem?

It's better to treat now rather than wait for her to get worse. There is absolutely no harm in treating for coccidiosis. But she could be dead by morning if it is coccidia and you delay treatment.