Suggestions needed....

[SunAngel]

I have 2- 10 wk old Phoenix chickens and for the last week or so I have noticed that one runs around like a normal Phoenix/chicken, tail out, neck normal but the other stays in sort of this puffy ball, looking more like a quail than a chicken. She carries her tail down, and seems to keep her neck tucked into her body, if that makes sense.

At first I started thinking maybe one was a male due to differences in stances, but their combs look the same. When she is walking/running back into the coop at night, she looks like the other one though. Today she came out of the coop, stopped on the ramp and just stood there with her eyes closed, even let me reach over and pick her up without trying to jump away. Soon as she was in my hands she closed her eyes again.

Gut instinct is telling me something is wrong, but I cant seem to pinpoint anything. She sat in my one hand the whole time I was setting up a cage to put her into. After going into the cage, she was chirping and looking for a way out, but gave up and got up on the perch clumsily and closed her eyes. I have no clue what could be wrong really.

The way she keeps her neck tucked in, I wondered if maybe she could have hurt it jumping off a perch in the coop at night??? My other 22 chickens and 3 ducks seem happy, healthy and lively. Does this ring any bells for anyone?

Pura, the one in question...she is standing up here.

Promyse, the one that acts fine.

Sorry for such a long post. My first chicken problem, so I'm a bit worried.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Humm...your phoenix is acting a bit like my faverolle but then some times she runs around and is very bossy...she is also the head hen. She has been like that since she was born tho. I hope there is someone that can help you. I just recently got chickens and my oldest crew is just 9- 10 weeks old.

 

[SunAngel]

She had been in the coop, sleeping I guess, which is rare for my chickens to begin with. They usually stay out in the run and sleep in the shade.

She seems a little weak and clumsy but no apparent injuries. She walks and flies/jumps fine, but she walks around looking for things to eat, with her eyes closed. Not sure how shes managing to find things to eat with her eyes closed. Just very odd.

Was just curious if anyone elses chickens acted like this.

 

[justusnak]

Sounds to me there is definately something going on with her. Have you seen her eat her feed? Is she drinking water? Whats her poo look like!?? Have you checked her for mites/lice? At 10 weeks she is not laying age....so wont be egg bound.
Is there a discharge from her nose, eyes? Rattleing in her chest, when breathing? Could be almost anything really. Keep her seperated from the others...untill you can figure it out, and get her better.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Mine doesn't walk around with her eyes closed at all. I sure hope you find out whats wrong with her

Poor girl! Maybe try giving her some vitamins/electrolytes. Can't hurt.

 

[SunAngel]

I havent personally seen her eating feed, but she was walking around the pen eating bits of stuff from the ground. Crop has some food in it though but just a little, doesn't seem bound up.

No discharge of any kind. Chirping and breathing sounds ok. Walks ok. Flaps wings ok. Don't see any mites or lice. Can stretch her neck out when she wants to. No pasty butt or dirty tail feathers.

Eyes look clear when she opens them, but she keeps wanting to keep them closed and seems to want to lay down to sleep. She starts to, but then changes her mind and pecks at the ground and then back to eyes being closed.

Strangest thing I've seen since getting chickens, definitely.

 

[SunAngel]

This might sound silly, but I dont have any electrolytes as such. But would it hurt her to give her some Vitamin Water...I have the acai-blueberry-pomegranite (triple antioxidant) kind? The label says it has an electrolyte in it.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I can tell by looking at her eyes that there is definitely something wrong. She's not feeling well. I would separate her...bring her in the house in a cage or pet carrier. Electrolytes in her water...diluted pedialyte or Gatorade in a pinch. Poly-Vi-Sol pediatric vitamins (no iron) 3 times a day for 7 days then taper off. I don't believe in giving antibiotics without evidence of infection, but if she's not markedy better in a few days, I would probably start something like Terramycin or Aureomycin crumbles. Keep us posted.

 

[SunAngel]

Thank you, I will give all that a try and let you know what happens.

 

[sammi]

describe the droppings..color and consistency