Deworming a weak chicken

[iHaveThreeChickens]

I own three hens who are around 3 years old, and I usually let them roam the backyard. About 1-2 weeks ago, I noted that one of my hens had a very pale comb. However, I attributed that to the extreme heat of our summers. But after lifting her up, I realised that she has significantly lost weight. For the past three days, she has been much slower than usual and showing signs of lethargy (sitting down all the time, walking instead of her usual excited running). She shows no interest in her usual feed, but will still eat her favourite food (cheese). Her feathers have always been scruffy so I wasn't at first concerned, but now I'm certain she is sick. The other two chickens do not show any signs of illness.


Help! I don't have much experience with illnesses in poultry; does she have worms? Yet, there are no worms in her poop. Should I isolate her?


If I treat her with dewormer, will it kill her? She's quite weak, but I don't want to lose her to whatever she has...

 

[16 and me]

I'm not sure, but responding to bump this up in the algorhythm. Hopefully someone will have some good advice for you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I own three hens who are around 3 years old, and I usually let them roam the backyard. About 1-2 weeks ago, I noted that one of my hens had a very pale comb. However, I attributed that to the extreme heat of our summers. But after lifting her up, I realised that she has significantly lost weight. For the past three days, she has been much slower than usual and showing signs of lethargy (sitting down all the time, walking instead of her usual excited running). She shows no interest in her usual feed, but will still eat her favourite food (cheese). Her feathers have always been scruffy so I wasn't at first concerned, but now I'm certain she is sick. The other two chickens do not show any signs of illness.


Help! I don't have much experience with illnesses in poultry; does she have worms? Yet, there are no worms in her poop. Should I isolate her?


If I treat her with dewormer, will it kill her? She's quite weak, but I don't want to lose her to whatever she has...

Welcome To BYC

You mention it's hot and summer where you are, are you in AU?

When was the last time your hen laid an egg?

I would first work on hydration. Get some electrolytes or sugar water into her, see if she perks up a bit.

Check her over for lice/mites and see that her crop is emptying overnight.

If possible, take a sample of her poop to a vet to have a fecal float, this will let you know if she needs deworming. If not, then you may want to consider deworming to see if it makes any difference.
You probably have Panacur (Safeguard) (Fenbendazole) available, perhaps Levamisole and Albendazole (Valbazen) but it helps to know where you are in the world.

At 3 she may also be having some reproductive issues, hard to know.