Urgent! Chicken looks VERY weak!

[little_giant]

One of my cornish cross hens (2 years old) looks very tired and weak. It ate in the morning a little and drank in the morning and afternoon but it did not eat or drink tonight. It might be because it was cold (59 degrees F) and rained after i fed it lunch. But, she doesnt like to stand up and if she does, she runs underneath the more healthier cornish cross hen. When it sits down, it pants and spreads its wings out and its eyes are not fully open. Its been like this for about a week now. But today, it seemed the worst. It got better sometimes during the week and then got worse later. It seems to poo normally but not as much as it used to. It might be like this because of its weight but the other chicken (about the same weight) can run and jump. What can I do?

Thank You!

 

[ladrholman]

I don't know what is going on, but she certainly sounds ill. I would isolate her so you can watch her better. They tend to cower under others when unwell. I have watched this. Has she laid lately? Ate anything suspicious? Fluffed? Anyone else off? Sorry not much help.

 

[little_giant]

Both chickens never laid an egg since last year. She ate bread and some vegetables but I do not think she ate anything suspicious. She fluffed a little. What happened to those chickens? Thank You

 

[ladrholman]

OH... seems odd for them to not be laying, but I have a black star that is likely 2 years old and hasn't laid an egg in 8 months!! I think she retired and is just going to rule the roost instead. The chickens that I have watched cower under others. They are usually sick... or one is and the other one is who they spend the most time with . Some did well. Others not so much. Does she feel of appropriate weight? Can you feel her breast bone? Fluffed, quiet, inactive and eyes looking sleepy spell ill to me... Could be so many things though. I hope someone else will chime in.

 

[little_giant]

Well, these chickens rarely lay eggs. yes, she is about the same weight as the other chicken. compared to other chickens though, she is heavier. I dont think that I can feel the breastbone. Thank you though!

 

[alcap]

I'm no expert but I have been researching meat birds and cornish cross are very popular and don't usually live long as pets or layers. I hope someone can correct me if I'm wrong I hope I am .

 

[ladrholman]

Sorry not much help. Hope someone else will chime in!!!

 

[little_giant]

I also heard that.. but the other cornish hen is much healthier. I read that it might be hypothermia because it seemed OK before it started to rain.

 

[little_giant]

It might be a disease so I might have to give it some vitamins/antibiotics. I have no local farm store near me so all I have is a human vitamin (chewy tablets), advil/moltrin, and 500 mg amoxicillin capsules. Can I use any of them? and how many per day?