Sick pullet

[Missy3b]

I discovered one of my pullets, about 15 weeks old, under the chicken house looking very weak. When I got her out, she cannot hold her head up. She will walk around on her own but with her head almost touching the ground.

If she was injured (maybe an overexcited roo) then its not as big a concern. However, if she's sick, I worry that others could get sick.
I took her out of the coop but now wonder if I could do any preventive measures.

What about DE or deworming for all chickens. Just to cover any possible parasites(I did give her a thorough checking and see nothing).

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Missy3b]

Is it possible that a roo wrenched her neck?

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Is her head curled up under her belly? Is she showing any incordination? I suspect Mareks.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Does she seem skinnier than she should be? If so, could be worms. I wish I knew more so I could help you. Hope your girl gets better...

 

[Missy3b]

No- she just seems weak. Not curling at all, just seems to lack the strength to lift her head all the way up. No other signs. I forced some water down her. Is it possible a roo wrenched her neck?

 

[purpletree23]

Anything is possible. Right now I would put her in a good sized box or rubbermaid storage container (love them because they wash with soap and water) away from the other chickens for a while. Make sure she has food and water. She might just need to rest or if she is sick you can easily see new symptoms.

Give her some of her favorite treats and let us know how she is doing. We'll want to know if she is eating drinking
What her poops look like etc.

You will also want to check her body very good to see if she has lice or mites. Look very close at the base of the feathers.

 

[Missy3b]

I let her out to see how she was doing and she lifted her head up all the way. She even pecked around in the grass. I gave her more water also. I will definately keep her isolated for a day or so to be sure.

I have never had mite problems before. What specifically do I need to buy to put in the coop and on the chickens? I read on SEVEN Dust that it can be put on animals to treat fleas and ticks. Would it work?

 

[Eggs4Sale]

I know so little about treating animals. PM directly to threehorses and speckledhen telling them the symptoms. In the meantime, put Sevin in the search dealybob and see what it says. Judging from other posts, mites may not be your only problem.

How is she doing today?

 

[Missy3b]

She is actually fine today. The only thing I can figure out is that maybe she got herself into a corner under the coop and couldn't figure out how to get out. I guess she was dehydrated. I forced water in her all afternoon and by evening she was better. Kept her by herself until this morning and let her go back in with others.

Very weird.

 

[Eggs4Sale]