So one of my three chickens has come down with some sort of illness, I believe. I just arrived home two days ago from a 3 week vacation, and found that my Black Australorp was acting strangely. Right off the bat, I noticed she had lost a considerable amount of wait. Not visibly noticeable, but when I picked her up it was obvious. Her crop looks a little bloated, and feels squishier than usual. I also immediately noticed the horrid shape of her rear-end. It's usually neat and fluffy, but it looks as though her poos have been more runny and have been sticking, though they don't exactly look like diarrhea. I thought maybe poo was blocking her vent, but soon saw that wasn't the case. Nonetheless, I gave her a warm soak yesterday to see if I could get some of that poo off. She threw a bit of a fuss, but otherwise just stood there for the most part. I watched her for a while, and didn't see her poop for the rest of the day. I gave her bits of bread and watermelon, and she enjoyed eating them for a while, but soon stopped eating them. Which is very odd, as she usually eats anything tasty in site. This morning I saw a fresh pile of poo, but it was more like...well, it looked like an egg, really. I mean, it was frothy and white, with a little bit of clear orange-yellow in it. Not normal poo for her. She ate two crumbs of bread today, and otherwise hasn't eaten or drinken anything at all today. I let her free range, and she settled down in the dirt immediately. I thought she was going to take a dirt bath, but she just sat there. She got up and walked across the garden once, then just under a bush, doing nothing but standing, looking quite uncomfortable.
I've been researching, and I thought it might be Blackhead, but she's apparently been listless for 3 weeks, starting right after we left, according to our chicken caretaker. She'd be dead already if it were Blackhead, right? *worried*
Also, she hasn't laid an egg for about three months. Which is why I have my doubts about her being egg bound. I'm pretty sure she might be done, and although my other girls are still laying, it's starting to die down. They're all only 3 and a half, didn't think the eggs would stop so soon. This isn't something to worry about, is it? They have all seemed very healthy and happy. :3
Anyway, what could be the problem here? Worms, possibly?
Help very much appreciated! And I'd be happy to give any other details that may be needed!
**UPDATE**
I've powdered her like mad with sevin, and she's made it through the night. Really thought she wouldn't, there. She's just so listless. She's free ranging now, but—nope, as I look out now to check on her, she's just settled down in the dirt, looking really tired. It's not like I expected something to happen overnight, but I'm wondering when she might be feeling better. She ate like 3 crumbs of her feed, and no water. Not good. Poor baby. Also, it seems she barely registered that she was powdered. A little struggle, but otherwise nothing. She isn't bathing, or ruffling her feathers. And the powder is all over her. I rubbed it as well as I could, but...I don't know. Should I just wait to see if she bathes in the next few days? Don't think she'll do anything today.
I've checked her for mites, and I saw nothing this morning. Do the mites immediately die and fall off, or something? And I only powder her again in 5-7 days? &I'm wondering when she might be feeling better, or showing signs of liveliness? That's pretty much the main Q right there.
Thanks! You've all been so helpful. <33
I've been researching, and I thought it might be Blackhead, but she's apparently been listless for 3 weeks, starting right after we left, according to our chicken caretaker. She'd be dead already if it were Blackhead, right? *worried*
Also, she hasn't laid an egg for about three months. Which is why I have my doubts about her being egg bound. I'm pretty sure she might be done, and although my other girls are still laying, it's starting to die down. They're all only 3 and a half, didn't think the eggs would stop so soon. This isn't something to worry about, is it? They have all seemed very healthy and happy. :3
Anyway, what could be the problem here? Worms, possibly?
Help very much appreciated! And I'd be happy to give any other details that may be needed!
**UPDATE**
I've powdered her like mad with sevin, and she's made it through the night. Really thought she wouldn't, there. She's just so listless. She's free ranging now, but—nope, as I look out now to check on her, she's just settled down in the dirt, looking really tired. It's not like I expected something to happen overnight, but I'm wondering when she might be feeling better. She ate like 3 crumbs of her feed, and no water. Not good. Poor baby. Also, it seems she barely registered that she was powdered. A little struggle, but otherwise nothing. She isn't bathing, or ruffling her feathers. And the powder is all over her. I rubbed it as well as I could, but...I don't know. Should I just wait to see if she bathes in the next few days? Don't think she'll do anything today.
I've checked her for mites, and I saw nothing this morning. Do the mites immediately die and fall off, or something? And I only powder her again in 5-7 days? &I'm wondering when she might be feeling better, or showing signs of liveliness? That's pretty much the main Q right there.
Thanks! You've all been so helpful. <33
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