Silkie Eating Normally but Very Thin

[krissyweso]

My silkie is very thin. She is eating normally, her poop looks normal, she's acting normally (right now... but you know how they hide illness till the end), but there is next to no muscle on either side of her sternum.

How would I know if it's worms? Would her stool look strange (it doesn't)?

Tonight, I was putting the chickens away, and I brought her inside. Her crop was VERY full when I brought her in, and she has emptied it over the night normally.

Should I treat her for worms just in case? How would I do so?

Any advice (even if it's that I need to relax) is appreciated.

 

[azygous]

Yes, of course, you may worm a chicken at any time. More often than not, you will not see the worms in the poop. So a general wormer such as Safeguard is a good one.

However, it may not target the type of worm in this chicken. A far better approach is to gather a fresh poop sample and have your regular vet run a fecal float test to identify the parasites present. Then you can find the best worming med to target it.

How old is this hen? Is her poop firm and like the other chickens? If it's not, a photo would help us get pointed in a direction.

Also, what is her behavior like? Lethargic or normal? Does she have any physical anomalies such as imbalance or weakness in the legs? Are her eyes bright and alert?