Very tired 11 week OEGB

[Rhandi74]

Hi all
I am fairly new to chicken keeping and I am not sue what to think of my very tired pullet. She is an Old English game bantam and about 11 weeks old. I noticed yesterday that she was sleeping a lot and not staying with the other chickens. She did eat and drink but even when I am handling her she falls asleep. Is this something I should be concerned about? I am worried but not very sure if I should be.

 

[dragonbabyx3]

At 11 weeks old they should be up and moving around. She should not be sleeping all the time. How is her poop? is it runny? I would isolate her and keep an eye on her. Notice any other odd behavior from her? You can try feeding mealworms, or scrambled egg that may perk her up a bit!

 

[Eggcessive]

At 11 weeks, she could still be at risk for coccidiosis which causes lethargy, poor appetite, puffing up or huddling in one spot, ruffled feathers, and diarrhea with or without blood or mucus. Corid (amprollium, Ampromed) is the treatment and is easily found in the cattle medicines from farm stores. You should also check her crop for impaction, and make sure it is emptying by morning. Look at the skin for signs of lice or mites and their eggs.

 

[Rhandi74]

I will pick up some corid and treat. I will also check her crop in the morning. How does one go about checking a chickens crop? I have never had to do this before. Also I have not seen her stool. Every time I am out with them she is sleeping but I will try see. Thank you for all the advice.

 

[Eggcessive]

The crop is on her right side just below the neck. It may look or feel full at bedtime, and with impacted crop it may feel hard and not empty. With sour crop or slow crop it may be full and squishy, sometimes with a bad odor. They can vomit foul-smelling brown liquid, and this may result after long standing impacted crop. Sometimes with other problems (cocci and other things) there can be a slow-emptying crop. Here is a link to read and a diagram: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/answers-from-chicken-vet-on-impacted.html

 

[Rhandi74]

Picked up corid and vitimins and electrolytes this morning. how do I dose the corid and how long do I treat my flock? Also she is still eating and drinking just very tired.

 

[Eggcessive]

Corid dosage for a severe outbreak is 1.5 tsp of powder or 2 tsp of liquid per gallon of water--mix new each day and treat all chickens for 5-7 days. Don't mix anything into the Corid, and after the end of treatment, give 3 days of vitamins and probiotics. Cultured buttermilk or yogurt (small amount) can be used for probiotics.

 

[Rhandi74]

Corid dosage for a severe outbreak is 1.5 tsp of powder or 2 tsp of liquid per gallon of water--mix new each day and treat all chickens for 5-7 days. Don't mix anything into the Corid, and after the end of treatment, give 3 days of vitamins and probiotics. Cultured buttermilk or yogurt (small amount) can be used for probiotics.

Thank you, she has been eating and drinking still. She seemed to have some small bursts of energy but still sleeping a lot. Her stool was normal. I also noticed that she is not really standing upright when she is walking, she is kind of staying scrunched up making the bottom of her wings drag on the floor. Hopefully she will get more energy as each day passes.

 

[Rhandi74]

I am so happy to report my little pullet feels so much better. She is acting herself again. Thank you for all the help and I am now sure she will totally recover.