Whats wrong? Lethargic 12 wk old

[blipit007]

Hi,
I hope someone can help. My usually bossy (I think becoming leading lady in the flock) bared rock 12 week old pullet, is following all the other girls around and just napping. She just hunkers down and tucks her head behind her wing and falls asleep. All the other girls seem fine. They scratch around and forage as usual. But they also keep coming up to her and snuggling in around her in the yard every few minutes. Till they get bored and start foraging again.

What is wrong with her? And what should I do?
Thanks
Kristen

 

[ten chicks]

Hi,
I hope someone can help. My usually bossy (I think becoming leading lady in the flock) bared rock 12 week old pullet, is following all the other girls around and just napping. She just hunkers down and tucks her head behind her wing and falls asleep. All the other girls seem fine. They scratch around and forage as usual. But they also keep coming up to her and snuggling in around her in the yard every few minutes. Till they get bored and start foraging again.

What is wrong with her? And what should I do?
Thanks
Kristen

Any symptoms? Check vent area,red looking,discharge,check for lice/mites(look at base of tail feathers,under wings,vent area). Check her for impacted crop. Look up info for Coccidiosis.

 

[blipit007]

The only symptoms is that she's lathargic. She wants to be with the other girls (6 total) but only lays down to nap. No foraging. I did throw some millet into their pen before to lock them all up while I ran to the store. (They have supervised free ranging) and she did peck at that.
Vent looks yellow, clean and healthy. No sign of mites. Not sure what an impacted crop is like. I felt around her neck and Che's area and it seems small. No hard bulges anyway.
I've only had chickens for 12 weeks so this is all new to me.
Thanks for the help.

 

[blipit007]

She just pooed a tiny cream and green slimy loose poo. And her eyes are shut most of the time.

 

[seminolewind]

I would treat them all for coccidiosis. At least then you can prevent the most common reason for death. Other than that, I've had one or two be nappy for a day or two and snap out of it. But treat her , and make sure she is eating and drinking.

 

[Eggcessive]

Corid is a good drug for coccidiosis, available at most feed stores. It does no harm, and by the time you see bloody diarrhea, the whole flock may be sick.

 

[blipit007]

Thank you all. She is more normal this morning, but she has only been outside for 20 minutes. If she continues to act ok today, should I still treat with Corid?

 

[Eggcessive]

It's up to you. I don't like using drugs on my chickens unless I feel they are really needed. However Corid liquid or powder and a few other chicken medications should be on your shelf for emergencies, since we all know these things happen when the feed stores are closed.

 

[seminolewind]

Well , if they have coccidiosis, I don't think they get better the next day. Never heard of that. It may just be intestinal lining

 

[blipit007]

Ok, Here is an update. I think right seminolewind. It may have been an intestinal thing. They got progressively better from day two. I continued the 5 day treatment with Corid just to be safe. Some of the poo's are still soft, but 90% are normal within the whole flock. May have been something they ate. You know, I keep chasing them away from one of my hibiscus plants... they seem to be pecking at the perlite that is on the top of the soil (the white specks) That cant be too good for them!

Thank you all for your quick help! Means a lot for a newb like me!
Kristen