Sleepy hen!! is she sick?

[sunshinehs]

My hen is acting weird, definitely not her self, last night she disappeared and didn't come back till 830,she actually let me pick her up and put her in the coup, ow this morning she's came out with the rest but seems to be acting very sleepy?? Is she sick? She's definitely not her active self. She doesn't sound stuffy. Just not sure what I can do for her,

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is she? Check her for mites and lice, feel of her crop in case it is impacted, look for any diarrhea with mucus or blood, and make sure she is eating/drinking. Has she been wormed lately, since worms or an intestinal disease such as coccidiosis could be a problem?

 

[sunshinehs]

She is 6 months old, and as far as i know she is earing and drinking. With the exceprion that when ingave them there yreata rhis morning she had no interest. and I'm new at trying to figure out what to look for, if you could explain to me more I would greatly appreciate it,

 

[Eggcessive]

Coccidiosis may cause diarrhea, lethargy, standing around hunching or puffed up, and poor appetite. They just look sick. It is treated with Corid or amprollium. Worms can also cause a lack of energy and feeling bad, decreased egg laying. The crop should be empty first thing in the morning, then feel full in the evening. If it feels full and hard it could be impacted, if full and squishy or balloon-like it could be sour crop, especially if she throws up foul-smelling liquid. Mites and lice can be seen crawling on the skin in various areas, especially in front of the vent, or around the neck. Mites can cause severe anemia.

 

[sunshinehs]

Than you again what can I use to protect my flock against mites and lice?? Not sure if that's the problem but I've seen people post that they treat the chcikens and the coop with a spray?? If this is correct where could I purchase this product at?

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some links with pictures to see what to look for. Lice are fast moving tiny and reddish tan, and leave white balls of eggs at the base of feathers especially on the abdomen near the vent, although certain one avor other areas. Mites leave grayish dust, and are slow moving, and change color when they contain blood. Permethrin spray and dust, and Sevin (carbaryl) 5% dust is widely used. DE will not work. Links to read:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8162.pdf

 

[RollyWhit]

I was just getting on here to see what could be causing my 3 month old Australorp to be acting sick. If it is Coccidiosis, where do you get the medication that you mentioned? Do we go to the vet or would a farm store have it?

 

[Eggcessive]

I was just getting on here to see what could be causing my 3 month old Australorp to be acting sick. If it is Coccidiosis, where do you get the medication that you mentioned? Do we go to the vet or would a farm store have it?

Welcome to BYC. Coccidiosis is treated with Corid or amprollium--dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid (or 1.5 tsp of the powder) per gallon of water as the only source of water for 5-7 days. Afterward, give vitamins and probiotics for several day to help intestinal health. With cocci, there can be blood in the stools or not depending on the strain. Corid is available at most feed stores. Here are a couple of links to read:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/coccidiosis/overview_of_coccidiosis_in_poultry.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html