Very poorly chicken

[eastwood]

Hi, I'm a newbie and don't know much about chucks. Our chicken has been vomiting and we've cleaned up her behind because she had lots of poo stuck on. She is laying down and sleeping most of the time and is not eating or drinking. Her crop is fine but her comb is drooping and pale. I'd be very grateful if anyone has any advice. Thanks

 

[Eggcessive]

Chickens don't usually vomit unless their crop is impacted, full, and they have been turned upside down or sideways. Are you sure you are feeling the correct place for the crop? She may have long grasses, straw, or something else stuck in there. Her bottom sounds as though she might have vent gleet, a fungal infection that can go along with impacted or sour crop. Here is a link on crop issues, and please let us know how she is doing. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/answers-from-chicken-vet-on-impacted.html

 

[cmclean]

So sorry! At the very least, getting her to drink is the most important so she won't become dehydrated. Try droppers of Gatorade, Pedialite, even milk if she likes it. Maybe the liquid will perk her up enough to eat yogurt or scrambled eggs.
Good luck!

 

[eastwood]

Thank you. I've given her water with a syringe and put her out in a box in the cool as the coup was quite warm. She has seemed up perk up a bit since washing her behind, so maybe that cooled her down too. She's now standing too which might be a good sign as she seemed too weak before. Hopefully she will be ok. I've felt her crop again but there is no lump.

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is she and how long have you had her? Is she old enough to lay eggs? Hopefully it is just the heat, but other things to think about are coccidiosis, examining the feather shafts around her vent for lice eggs or mite dust, internal laying issues or egg bound. If you use the search at the top of the page or google any of these topics you will find lots of info. Here is a link on lice and mites: http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

 

[eastwood]

Thank you eveyone. She's eight ish and we.ve had her for five years. I've looked in her feathers and there are little white flaky bits, can't see any eggs, but we'll get some mite dust anyway.