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There's something going on with one of my bantams.

Fwoof

Crowing
Jun 13, 2022
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There's something going on with one of my bantams.
For the past couple of days she's been less alert/active than usual, spending a lot of time fluffed up in the corner of her run. I figured she was just getting over being broody, which she was not that long ago.
I gave my flock treats today and noticed that when she came over to investigate, she kept closing her eyes (particularly her left one). I observed her for a moment and she perks her head up and opens her eyes when she hears something or is startled, but then she closes her eyes and fluffs up again.
She hasn't lost her apetite and her comb and wattles are still bright, but she isn't acting herself. I made her a dandelion/ginger/garlic powder concoction, is there anything else I could do and/or do you have any ideas about what might be going on with her?
 
Do you have photos of her, her poop and her eye?

When was her last egg?

I'd work on hydration, check her over for any lice/mites. See that her crop is emptying.

Keeping both eyes closed, it sounds like she's not feeling very well, but if she's keeping one closed more than the other, do take a look at it closely to make sure it's not injured or needs to be cleaned/flushed out for some reason.
 
Do you have photos of her, her poop and her eye?
It's too dark to take photos right now, but I will try tomorrow. Her eye looks fine. Haven't seen any poop.
When was her last egg?
I haven't been keeping track, she lives with two other bantams that lay the same size/color egg as her, but I'll let you know if I spot her in the box. I got two bantam eggs out of that coop today, so there's a chance she didn't lay one today, but note that one of the three is seven years old but still lays fairly frequently.
I'd work on hydration, check her over for any lice/mites. See that her crop is emptying.
I gave her some electrolyte water with some oatmeal and checked her for mites. I didn't see any. Her crop seems to be emptying fine.
Keeping both eyes closed, it sounds like she's not feeling very well, but if she's keeping one closed more than the other, do take a look at it closely to make sure it's not injured or needs to be cleaned/flushed out for some reason.
I sprayed it with some (human) eye wash, so hopefully that might help.

Thank you so much for the reply!
 
Here are pictures of her poop and eye. Her poop has a slight yellow tinge to it, what could this be?

I thought I didn't have to get a picture of the actual eyeball itself because to me it looks normal, bright, and the right color, but tell me if you want me to.
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It could be so many things. If poop looks really yellow, the hen could be expelling yolk with the poop, which is generally indicative of some reproductive malfunction. Also, I think liver conditions can make the poop somewhat yellow, but don't quote me on that. Def check her eye, but it's likely not specifically her eye if she's fluffed up and lethargic. I've seen some eye injuries here over the years and they don't usually slow them down much; an infection would of course.
 
It could be so many things. If poop looks really yellow, the hen could be expelling yolk with the poop, which is generally indicative of some reproductive malfunction.
She was recently broody, so that could be it. It doesn't look too yellow, though. Anything I can do to help her, or will the electrolytes do?
Also, I think liver conditions can make the poop somewhat yellow, but don't quote me on that. Def check her eye, but it's likely not specifically her eye if she's fluffed up and lethargic. I've seen some eye injuries here over the years and they don't usually slow them down much; an infection would of course.
I checked it, it looks normal except for an only slightly discolored eyelid. She has the full ability to open her eye, she just doesn't want to.
 
Also, I was thinking about putting her in a crate with a heat lamp and chick starter (I only have unmedicated at the moment, but at least it's protein dense) tonight. Should I do this, or will she be better off sleeping in her own coop tonight?
 
Also, I was thinking about putting her in a crate with a heat lamp and chick starter (I only have unmedicated at the moment, but at least it's protein dense) tonight. Should I do this, or will she be better off sleeping in her own coop tonight?
Now I'm really confused.
Now she's closing her right eye more than the other!
 

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