URGENT! Lethargic Chicken!

[NewbieChickenMomma]

I checked on my chickens last night before bed & made sure their water was thawed and all was good. This morning 1 of my chickens is staggering, drooping feathers, her eyes look sunken.....what could have happened in 12 hours?? I put food in front of her mixed with Brewers yeast and garlic, brought her some scrambled eggs, shredded cheese and spinach....she ate her food. Should I use a dropper & get her to drink water?? I've only had chickens since June so I'm still new to this & LOVE my girls so if someone could give me advice that would be so so so appreciated! Also, she has not started laying yet if that info helps.

 

[birdmanmax]

Okay a lot can happen in 12 hours at times birds will “hide” there sickness until they are near death. Make sure she is warm and away from other birds and pets. I would provide yogurt and place chick electrolytes and minerals in her water. Time for diagnoses:
Have your birds been wormed?(although you would notice a slow degradation and loss of energy of your bird over weeks if it were worms again this is in most cases)
Look at the poop take a pic of it post it here, look for any blood or abnormal coloring.
Examine for any discharge from eyes, mouth, nose, etc...
Also look for any mucus in the mouth and throat, listen for any raspiness in breathig.
Have you fed your birds anything odd over the past few days?(bread can lead to death in cold weather)

 

[NewbieChickenMomma]

Okay a lot can happen in 12 hours at times birds will “hide” there sickness until they are near death. Make sure she is warm and away from other birds and pets. I would provide yogurt and place chick electrolytes and minerals in her water. Time for diagnoses:
Have your birds been wormed?(although you would notice a slow degradation and loss of energy of your bird over weeks if it were worms again this is in most cases)
Look at the poop take a pic of it post it here, look for any blood or abnormal coloring.
Examine for any discharge from eyes, mouth, nose, etc...
Also look for any mucus in the mouth and throat, listen for any raspiness in breathig.
Have you fed your birds anything odd over the past few days?(bread can lead to death in cold weather)

I don't believe they have been wormed, I got them from a lady in my small town who had a bunch of mixed breed chicks just to begin my chicken adventure. I started with 11 and since June I am down to 5. Lost most as tiny chicks. I went out and gave her some warm water but she is going downhill fast and I don't think she's going to make it I really love my chickens, I even bought a camera so I can watch them and check on them whenever & wherever. I'm so sad that I keep losing girls.. Their poop all look normal, I can't tell who's is who's. A couple of my hens have had what seems like minor colds on & off almost as long as I've had them but not this one in particular. She was the oldest & strongest of the chicks that's why this is really got me worried! All my other girls are running around and were in my face inspecting what I was doing to the sick one. She wouldn't even lift her head when I tried to give her water. I opened her beak & put a few drops in and she'd swallow but that's about it. She breathing is slow.

 

[lissalischicks]

How is your girl doing?

 

[birdmanmax]

I shall not stress this enough grab a heat lamp and keep her warm I would definitely sperate maybe just in a cardboard box but a little bit of heat can do wonders. I’m unsure of your climate but the cold can kill weak chickens faster than there actual sickness.

 

[birdmanmax]

Post some pics of her if possible.

 

[NewbieChickenMomma]

How is your girl doing?

Unfortunately she did not make it.

 

[NewbieChickenMomma]

I shall not stress this enough grab a heat lamp and keep her warm I would definitely sperate maybe just in a cardboard box but a little bit of heat can do wonders. I’m unsure of your climate but the cold can kill weak chickens faster than there actual sickness.

We live in northern Minnesota and it is quite cold here but I do have a heat lamp in the coop along with lots of straw & a warmer in their water to keep from freezing. Unfortunately she went downhill quickly. She went peacefully as she just went to sleep.... Thank you for your advice

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

So Sorry about your chicken!
I hope that whatever illness took your chickie is not a contagious one. I would keep a close eye on the rest of your flock for the next week or two.

 

[NewbieChickenMomma]

So Sorry about your chicken!
I hope that whatever illness took your chickie is not a contagious one. I would keep a close eye on the rest of your flock for the next week or two.

Thank you! I hope so too because I absolutely love them & feel like I'm failing them somehow. Still learning..