Chicken keeps sitting down

[Peterman2111]

Hello everyone,

My leghorn hen periodically sits down throughout the day, every day. She has been doing this for a couple weeks now. I am really worried and don't know what is wrong with her. She eats well, drinks well, poops well, yet randomly sits down multiple times during the day.

I haven't noticed any injuries on her feet, and when i pick her up she doesn't seem to be in any pain. However, lately i have noticed that she holds her wings quite low. This is not due to the weather. Her ear lobe also appears to be changing colour to white.

I would really appreciate any help as soon as possible.

 

[Blingchix6]

I have a Swedish Flower Hen that laid down like that all last summer. I was worried about her getting through the winter but she has been fine so far. I also noticed that she doesn't lay down as much now but she still won't fly up to the perch at night, just lays on the floor. I checked her for everything; nothing seemed wrong and she is fine. Hopefully yours will be the same

 

[Blingchix6]

This is her enjoying a snack in my bathroom after receiving a much needed bath.

 

[Eggcessive]

Internal laying and egg yolk peritonitis are very common in hens who are 2 and older. They can cause problems walking, preferring to sit. There may be a swollen or spongy lower belly, a loss of weight through the breast area with a more prominent keel bone, loss of appetite, and runny poops or yellow egg-like material in the droppings.

 

[Peterman2111]

After further investigation, I have noticed that if i try to push her around, she resists it and drops her wings low. If i touch her wings or try to pull them out, she instantly lets them hang low and stiff. I'm not sure if this is a result of an injury and don't have any idea what is causing this.

 

[Eggcessive]

After further investigation, I have noticed that if i try to push her around, she resists it and drops her wings low. If i touch her wings or try to pull them out, she instantly lets them hang low and stiff. I'm not sure if this is a result of an injury and don't have any idea what is causing this.

She may be feeling uncomfortable moving if she has internal laying. Drooping wings can be a sign of weakness or dehydration.

 

[azygous]

How does she sit? Are her legs out in front of her or tucked in? This hen had lymphotic leucosis tumors.


Does she walk unsteadily like her feet hurt?

Have you examined the bottoms of her feet for injuries, black scabs that would indicate bumblefoot? Greenish and blackish bruising to the legs?

There are many things that can affect a chicken's legs. Vitamin deficiencies, bruising and injuries, and cancers.

 

[The_BirdNerd]

I know this post was posted in 2017 but, my chicken has been acting the exact same. She is under a year old and has been laying since 16 weeks. She eats and drinks fine, but sits all day. Her wings seem unbalanced and she limps when she does walk. It has happened all winter and now it’s spring. There are no scabs or signs of Bumblefoot or mites on her feet and legs. She stills lays fine, and I got another chicken because she was getting lonely but she was limping before that. She was tested for Mareks which came out as negative (I had two previous chickens that were put down sadly due to Mareks) I’ve noticed recently that her droppings at night appear reddish in the urate bit that should be white, and her so called ‘cecal’ droppings appear runny-ish with a lighter yellow tinge than normal. I took her to the vet a few weeks ago and she said she couldn’t find anything physically wrong on the outside, gave me anti inflammatory, and suggested if she doesn’t react to the medicine then to get x Rays and blood samples. I’m really worried for what the future may bring for not only my poor chickens but my mom and I because we’ve become so emotionally attached.

I am really, really sorry about this long post but I am just so worried and can’t find any answers whatever this illness is.

 

[hispoptart]

The red in the stool sounds like Coccidiosis, You need to treat with corid as soon as possible. I was just reading about another hen who has it and I believe the experts said 2 teaspoons in 1 gallon of water for 5-7 days.

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock

Is this correct?

 

[Eggcessive]

The reddish in her urates (kidney waste) may be what is called coral-colored urates, and that is normal especially during the night. Pictures of those droppings would be welcome. If your vet could perform a fecal test on some fresh droppings, that could identify if she has any coccidiosis or worms that might be causing blood.

As for her preferring to sit a lot, and having dropping wings, that could be due to dehydration, a reproductive disorder, or something else going on. There can be false negatives on Mareks testing on live birds. Sometimes there may be an infection or something else going on internally that could be causing her to be having some imbalance or limping. If you ever lose her, I would get a necropsy done with testing again.