Bantam pullet is slow, sluggish

[Willowstream646]

I have a flock of twelve at the moment, with six more on the way. We've just moved our latest chicks in with the big girls, and I noticed something strange. Our Belgian D'Uccle bantam has always been the tamest, but I'm beginning to wonder if it's less that she's tame and more that she doesn't react very fast. I haven't ever seen her run, and she walks hesitantly. Just today she lay down face first in the grass with wings splayed, asleep, twice. She might have been sunbathing, but there's not much sun, and none of the others are. Before we put them in their outside pen, she was as fluttery and skittish as the others. I'm not sure when it happened, but now she's very slow in her reactions. She does look alert and clear eyed, and has been pecking at things in the grass. Is there something wrong? I know you're not supposed to pick favorites, but I just love her, and I would be so sad if she wasn't well! If you need more information please ask. Thanks, and I really appreciate any advice you guys can give! Attached is a photo of her in the grass, and a link to the same photo.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6NY3qztB8CCPHAU17

 

[Tiana's chickens]

Hmm that doesn't look very good

 

[Willowstream646]

I found her dead this morning. She didn't go into their house, I just found her by the door. I would still like to know what was wrong with her, in case one of our next babies has the same problem. Thanks!

 

[Sneebsey]

I'm so sorry that you lost her.

I would make sure to check the others for lice and worm them preventatively, as well as check the coop for mites; now that it's summer, the nasties come out in full form. It may well be that she just suffered an isolated illness, though, and I hope that this is the case and that your others will be ok.

 

[Willowstream646]

Thanks. I think the others are all right, they are all VERY fast, but I will keep a close eye on them, and also check for mites. Do you have any idea what it might be?

 

[Sneebsey]

That's my only real guess, parasites are usually transmitted at this time of year by wild birds. Without an autopsy, it's very difficult to provide an adequate diagnosis.

 

[chickendreams24]

How old was she and how long have they been on grass? Was she ever exposed to the ground before being moved to the outside pen?

Have you seen any diarrhea? I'm thinking cocci.

 

[Tiana's chickens]

I'm thinking coccidia too

 

[Willowstream646]

We got them the first week of May. And no diarrhea. I'm not sure when we first put them outside, but it was when they started losing their baby fuzz and started budding new feathers. I do remember there was some mold in the enclosure that we discovered after they'd eaten half of it. Could that be the problem? She is smaller than the others as a bantam, maybe it affected her more. But that was two or three weeks ago...

 

[boskelli1571]

We got them the first week of May. And no diarrhea. I'm not sure when we first put them outside, but it was when they started losing their baby fuzz and started budding new feathers. I do remember there was some mold in the enclosure that we discovered after they'd eaten half of it. Could that be the problem? She is smaller than the others as a bantam, maybe it affected her more. But that was two or three weeks ago...

It's possible the mold didn't help, but she should have recovered from that. Sadly, chicks die for no apparent reason - it is usually for the best. I'm sorry you were deprived of a very cute Belgian D'Uccle, they are so darned loveable! Wouldn't be w/o mine.