Help!!!

[ChickenHeartedHen]

One of our other birds is acting super strange. When I put them to bed tonight, she wasn't in the coop. I looked around, and she was laying in the back corner. I picked her up, and realized her eyes were shut and she would not open them??? She was also doing this weird 'biting aimlessly at the air' thing, and she's breathing heavily. She won't open her eyes, and she just kinda lays there. She was completely normal earlier today. We already lost one bird earlier this week and I really don't want to lose another. What's wrong with her? Please help!

 

[ChickenHeartedHen]

Just to clarify, she's about 5 years old now

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Did you ever get calcium citrate for your other bird as @Wyorp Rock suggested? Is that the one that died? The only way to truly know what a bird has died from is to send the body to your state lab for a necropsy (an autopsy on an animal is called a necropsy). Don't freeze it. Instead, double bag it in plastic and refrigerate it. You can put it in a cooler with ice. I'll attach a link to state labs so you'll know where to send it. Contact them to find out how to ship it. Once you know what's killing your birds you can (hopefully) take steps to prevent further deaths.

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What breed is this bird? Can you post a pic? How's the color of her comb and wattles?

 

[Bawkbok]

She was also doing this weird 'biting aimlessly at the air' thing, and

This could be a crop adjustment. Is she coughing or does she have any discharge from her eyes?
Have you checked her for possible injuries?
How does her crop feel?
Is she eating and drinking?
When was the last time she laid an egg?
What does her poop and vent look like?

I am not an expert but just asking some questions to solicit information that might be of help to those with more experience who can direct you. I hope she recovers.

 

[ChickenHeartedHen]

What breed is this bird? Can you post a pic? How's the color of her comb and wattles?

She's an Ameraucana. I cannot get a photo of her right now, but I will tomorrow. Her comb looks normal, the usual reddish pink color.

 

[ChickenHeartedHen]

This could be a crop adjustment. Is she coughing or does she have any discharge from her eyes?
Have you checked her for possible injuries?
How does her crop feel?
Is she eating and drinking?
When was the last time she laid an egg?
What does her poop and vent look like?

I am not an expert but just asking some questions to solicit information that might be of help to those with more experience who can direct you. I hope she recovers.

I didn't notice any discharge from her eyes, as her muff was covering them and it was dark. She didnt seem injured, and her crop felt squishy, which is how it always feels. She last laid yesterday, and she was eating and drinking just fine earlier today. Poop and vent looks normal as well.

 

[ChickenHeartedHen]

Did you ever get calcium citrate for your other bird as @Wyorp Rock suggested? Is that the one that died? The only way to truly know what a bird has died from is to send the body to your state lab for a necropsy (an autopsy on an animal is called a necropsy). Don't freeze it. Instead, double bag it in plastic and refrigerate it. You can put it in a cooler with ice. I'll attach a link to state labs so you'll know where to send it. Contact them to find out how to ship it. Once you know what's killing your birds you can (hopefully) take steps to prevent further deaths.

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Yes, the one that died was the one we got calcium for. I do not think their deaths are connected, as they both had completely different symptoms for completely different amounts of time. I'll check out that necropsy thing if she ends up passing away.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I just wondered, as you never updated that thread.