what's wrong with this hen?

[EvieG]

Hello, This hen (6-7 years old) has been lethargic for several days. The first day she remained inside the coop, all fluffed up, looking ill. She seemed to improve slightly after a day, but she still spends most of the day just sitting on the ground; not even hopping up to the interior of the coop overnight during a cold snap. She drinks, and eats dried meal worms, and gets up and walks normally to get them. (I have not seen her eat the pellet feed, but I have not been watching her consistently so she may be eating it.) This morning I noticed her beak seemed to have a whitish - yellowish crustiness to it. We have two other hens who seem perfectly fine. In the top photo her beak is wet; she had just had a drink. Middle photo is clearer. Bottom photo was taken last summer, for reference. (A face only a mother could love, but her plumage is gorgeous!) Any thoughts? Many thanks!

 

[townchicks]

It looks like her comb is also dry and crusty. Maybe scaly face mites? How do her legs look? You could try Vaseline on her and see if it helps. Have you looked inside her mouth?

 

[EvieG]

I have not looked inside her mouth yet. (She's the least tame of our birds, and I would definitely need another pair of hands! ) I will try to get a helper. Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

Hens who are not laying and in winter can have dry skin. Do you ever see any bubbles in her eyes or mucus from her beak? Has she laid eggs in awhile? Is her crop empty first thing in the morning before she eats or drinks? Is her lower belly enlarged and firm or spongy? What do her droppings look like, and pictures are welcome. I would give her some vitamins, or Poultry NutriDrench 2 ml once a day. Offer some watery chicken feed, and a few bits of scrambled egg. Try to get her eating feed instead of just mealworms. Is any other chicken bullying her away from food or water? At her age she may be in failing health or having a reproductive disorder. The vaseline or other oil will not hurt. Favus which is a fungus can be a problem and it can cause white chaulky areas on the comb and face. If the vaseline or oil does not help and it gets worse, you can try applying an antifungal cream such as miconazole or clotrimazole.

 

[EvieG]

Hens who are not laying and in winter can have dry skin. Do you ever see any bubbles in her eyes or mucus from her beak? Has she laid eggs in awhile? Is her crop empty first thing in the morning before she eats or drinks? Is her lower belly enlarged and firm or spongy? What do her droppings look like, and pictures are welcome. I would give her some vitamins, or Poultry NutriDrench 2 ml once a day. Offer some watery chicken feed, and a few bits of scrambled egg. Try to get her eating feed instead of just mealworms. Is any other chicken bullying her away from food or water? At her age she may be in failing health or having a reproductive disorder. The vaseline or other oil will not hurt. Favus which is a fungus can be a problem and it can cause white chaulky areas on the comb and face. If the vaseline or oil does not help and it gets worse, you can try applying an antifungal cream such as miconazole or clotrimazole.

Thanks! No bubbles or mucus. She hasn't laid since the fall; neither have our other two hens. Crop and belly seem normal. No bullying. I'll try the feeding and skin suggestions!

 

[triciayoung]

Hello, This hen (6-7 years old) has been lethargic for several days. The first day she remained inside the coop, all fluffed up, looking ill. She seemed to improve slightly after a day, but she still spends most of the day just sitting on the ground; not even hopping up to the interior of the coop overnight during a cold snap. She drinks, and eats dried meal worms, and gets up and walks normally to get them. (I have not seen her eat the pellet feed, but I have not been watching her consistently so she may be eating it.) This morning I noticed her beak seemed to have a whitish - yellowish crustiness to it. We have two other hens who seem perfectly fine. In the top photo her beak is wet; she had just had a drink. Middle photo is clearer. Bottom photo was taken last summer, for reference. (A face only a mother could love, but her plumage is gorgeous!) Any thoughts? Many thanks!
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I am in agreement with @townchicks.

Try some organic coconut oil, to see if you can smother some mites- and of course avoid the nares.

 

[EvieG]

I am in agreement with @townchicks.

Try some organic coconut oil, to see if you can smother some mites- and of course avoid the nares.

Thanks!

 

[EvieG]

It looks like her comb is also dry and crusty. Maybe scaly face mites? How do her legs look? You could try Vaseline on her and see if it helps. Have you looked inside her mouth?

Thank you!

 

[EvieG]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Unfortunately she has died. She had seven good (and also very productive) years.

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss.