Whoops! Have read the TerrieLacey sticky and here's the extra info. I've got one other light sussex and a pekin that are also 12 weeks and have always been together. We had them at seven weeks and shortly after they developed signs of coccidiosis, we treated them and they were all healthy. Wormed with verm-X three weeks ago. Three weeks ago we added two more pekins, both over a year old, and are happily laying again. There was some bullying to start with, but they seemed to have settled now, although there is a definate pecking order. Both sussex are similar in size, although the other (healthy) one is trying hard to be a boy, so size and weight may be different?
They are kept in a coop with a mobile run that until yesterday was moved around the garden, but mostly they have the run of the garden. We garden organically so no chemicals, but can't vouch for the neighbours. They do seem to like slugs to eat, possibly the bloke next door uses slug pellets? Would the slugs travel into our garden after eating one? They have wood shavings (still on our first bale) and shredded newspaper for nesting in the coop. Yesterday I moved the run onto some paving slabs and put down some hay for them to scratch at until we can find some woodchip/bark. I'm wondering if there could be something in the hay?
Poo's are as usual as far as I know, spread all around the garden so difficult to check. There were a couple of areas in the coop where there could have been wetter than normal poos, but it had dried by cleaning time this morning, and they do eat a lot of grass and other garden goodies (mostly my newly planted peas at the moment). It was a bit more smelly than ususal, but they had been confined more than normal as we had to go out yesterday afternoon.
Other than today she was healthy, but I think she probably had the worst cocci infection and I've read that that can leave her weakened. Is it possible she's less resistant to infections etc?
We've brought her inside, are worming her and will feed her on boiled egg an/or anything else I can get her to eat. She's not interested in food (even live worms) or drink, she's just sitting there asleep, as if she's too tired to lift her head. He breathing is heavy, sometimes with her mouth open, her wings are droped and head droopy with eyes closed. She can walk a few paces if pushed, but really doesn't want to. Didn't even complain when we turned her over to check for injuries (she's normally very flappy).
She's normally fed on grower's pellets (no change), with a bit of maize in the afternoon when I'm trying to get them back into the coop. They also had some plain organic yogurt yesterday. They mostly free range and eat loads of worms, insects and grass. Also, I gave them a few chopped up chives yesterday.
Can't think of anything else!
Thanks for your help
