URGENT Skinny and sickly pullets- not sure what to do

SuspiciousChick

Chirping
Mar 31, 2025
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I have 15 chickens, all 14 weeks old.
It started with one of my Jersey Giant girls. She has been having some strange behavior. Standing still, letting the other chicks knock her over, barely startled by anything, and had a “droopy” look to her. She would also close her eyes. I physically examined her and her keel bone was shockingly prominent, to the extent of it feeling sharp. Poop is normal. My other Jersey Giant girl now has conjunctivitis (or some kind of irritation) in one of her eyes (I am treating with Vetericyn eye gel), and she is now putting on the droopy, lethargic act too. While holding her today, she was noticeably more underweight than she was before.
I’m lost here. I have them on grower feed and they have access to fresh grass on the daily (and treats). I have done Google searches out of the wazoo but I can’t find a clear answer. Please, can someone enlighten me on this?
*Added a picture of the chick with the eye issue. She hunkers down like this and acts lethargic.
I just want to know how to make them feel better.
 

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Does she get picked on when she tries to eat?
Not more than the average chick. The chick that gets picked on the most is healthy… so it’s definitely not that unless they don’t have an appetite, but I watch them eat.
I fed them both zucchini, corn, squash, and BSFL today and they loved it, and I watched one of them eat their feed. Their crops do feel empty or slightly filled though when I check them. I don't see them eat a lot, but I know they’re eating some.
 
I have 15 chickens, all 14 weeks old.
It started with one of my Jersey Giant girls. She has been having some strange behavior. Standing still, letting the other chicks knock her over, barely startled by anything, and had a “droopy” look to her. She would also close her eyes. I physically examined her and her keel bone was shockingly prominent, to the extent of it feeling sharp. Poop is normal. My other Jersey Giant girl now has conjunctivitis (or some kind of irritation) in one of her eyes (I am treating with Vetericyn eye gel), and she is now putting on the droopy, lethargic act too. While holding her today, she was noticeably more underweight than she was before.
I’m lost here. I have them on grower feed and they have access to fresh grass on the daily (and treats). I have done Google searches out of the wazoo but I can’t find a clear answer. Please, can someone enlighten me on this?
*Added a picture of the chick with the eye issue. She hunkers down like this and acts lethargic.
I just want to know how to make them feel better.

My other Jersey Giant girl now has conjunctivitis (or some kind of irritation) in one of her eyes (I am treating with Vetericyn eye gel), and she is now putting on the droopy, lethargic act too.
Do you provide Grit (Crushed Granite) for them?

She looks to have a puffy crop, check that first thing in the morning before she's had anything to eat/drink.

Try to get photos of her poop. Photos of the eyes too??

Lethargic and droopy - I'd consider treating for Coccidiosis as well. Treatment is with Corid, treat all the pullets.




Liquid Corid dose is 2tsp or Powdered Corid Dose is 1 1/2tsp per gallon of water given for 5-7 days as the only source of drinking water.
Do not add any extra vitamins/electrolytes that contain B1(Thiamine) to food or water during the course of treatment.
 
Do you provide Grit (Crushed Granite) for them?

She looks to have a puffy crop, check that first thing in the morning before she's had anything to eat/drink.

Try to get photos of her poop. Photos of the eyes too??

Lethargic and droopy - I'd consider treating for Coccidiosis as well. Treatment is with Corid, treat all the pullets.




Liquid Corid dose is 2tsp or Powdered Corid Dose is 1 1/2tsp per gallon of water given for 5-7 days as the only source of drinking water.
Do not add any extra vitamins/electrolytes that contain B1(Thiamine) to food or water during the course of treatment.
That actually might be the problem… the one thing I forgot to supply them with is grit. I feel so bad right now, I genuinely do not know how I forgot that. I assume they are getting at least some since they’re let outside of their run every day, but I’ll be getting grit today.
I checked both of the Jerseys’ crops, and one felt squishy and felt like there was some things in it, and the other (the one with pink eye) was empty. I’ll be using their names for the sake of conversing. Snowflake- the first one that started acting droopy. Pipsqueak- has the bad eye and has been going downhill more recently.
This morning, I opened the door for all of the chicks to come outside, and Pipsqueak was the only one still on the roost, which is unusual, since they act like they’re evacuating a burning building when I open the door.
Thank you so much for giving me information on cocci treatment!! I’ll need to go ahead and treat I assume? To be safe?
Pictures:
1. Snowflake’s poop
2. Snowflakes poop pt. 2 (I could not get a picture of Pipsqueak’s, I’m still watching her to see if I can catch it).
The rest are of Pipsqueak’s eyes. I’m sure it’s conjunctivitis. It’s been getting more red and angry looking. I’ve had one case of pink eye in the past, which was with a different chick months ago and no one else got infected.
 

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I checked both of the Jerseys’ crops, and one felt squishy and felt like there was some things in it, and the other (the one with pink eye) was empty. I’ll be using their names for the sake of conversing. Snowflake- the first one that started acting droopy. Pipsqueak- has the bad eye and has been going downhill more recently.
I'd recheck the crops first thing in the morning before they eat/drink, if not empty, then begin treating according to the article linked below.

For the eye, flush with Saline, remove any pus/debris, then put Terramycin eye ointment in the eye. If you don't have that, then you can use Original Neosporin.

Poop is not too bad, but for me, I'd still be inclined to treat for Coccidiosis as well.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/
 
I'd recheck the crops first thing in the morning before they eat/drink, if not empty, then begin treating according to the article linked below.

For the eye, flush with Saline, remove any pus/debris, then put Terramycin eye ointment in the eye. If you don't have that, then you can use Original Neosporin.

Poop is not too bad, but for me, I'd still be inclined to treat for Coccidiosis as well.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/
Thank you so much for your help! Will do.
 

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