Zoey has taken a turn for the worst today...

[Jadnils]

My special needs chicken, Zoey, who is about 5 months old and was left with caregivers who neglected to feed and water her for 4-5 days, has suddenly become very lethargic and sleepy. She has been gaining strength since we got back from vacation on Sunday. She was running around this morning and early afternoon but now is sitting in a puffed up heap. I checked her croup, not much in there although I have witnessed her eating steadily all day. She might have a small impact though, I don't know. He vent seems ok and she's too young to be egg bound, no eggs yet. Any ideas? this poor chicken and I have been through so much and I will be devistated it I loose her...HELP !

 

[MagicMarcy66]

If it was me I would bring her in the house and keep an eye on her. If she has lost a lot of weight she might be cold. They puff up when they are cold. That way you can give her some extra food such as room temp yogurt and hard boiled egg and a bit of pasta plus her regular food. Thats what I am doing right now with my broody hen who won't leave the nest to eat and drink. I even put the food in her nest box and she still wouldn't eat and drink.

I hope your little hen perks up and gets her strength back soon. I will say a prayer for her

Lisa

 

[leadwolf1]

Since she is a special needs chicken, do you think she could have coccidiosis? I know this is normally a chick illness but in times of stress, older chickens can be affected to. Can you give her Corid? If it is coccidiosis, it will help. If not, it won't hurt.

 

[chkn]

Delouse and deworm for starters.

 

[leadwolf1]

If you plan to deworm, I would suggest taking a sample into the vet and have him diagnose the type of worms, if any. You can check for lice/mites yourself and treat accordingly. Since she is a special needs chicken, I would just deworm indiscriminately...deworming medications are harsh and with her already feeling poorly, it could do more harm.

 

[Jadnils]

I ended up taking Zoey to the lady I bought her from last night because I was so worried. She seemed to think there were mites and dusted her. I will go buy worm meds today. At least it is a place to start. She is not eating or drinking but did poop so that is good. She is very thin from her stay with the pet sitter who did not feed or water her but, she has been eating a lot since Sunday afternoon until yesterday. The lady I brought her to said there didn't seem like there was any food in her croup though. I did see her eating yesterday. This is very upsetting because she has been making steady progress since her initial illness and now, it seems in 6 days , she is back to where she was 2 months ago. She is still sitting all puffed up no moving much. I have her isolated in a very warm laundry room with food and electrolytes ( we live in FL and it is detached from our house). I am going to force feed her some protein this afternoon, I just got home. Please keep her in your prayers.

By the way, her husband seems to think all of her "problems" may have started from a hard peck on the head when she was younger. He said it looked like "crooked neck" to him. So, idk what could be wrong with her now if that was the case then.

 

[Jadnils]

Thanks for all your prayers and help...Zoey passed away at 2:52 this afternoon...RIP poor little girl...

 

[leadwolf1]

I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[mkcolls]

I'm sorry for your loss. You did so much to make her life better.

 

[Jadnils]

Thanks...I am glad I was holding her when she went. We buried her and made a grave stone yesterday. RIP Zoe