Lethargic and Puffy

[Winston1]

This is my first time on this chat. I am a novice chicken owner with a 3 year flock of 5 now [started with 6], lost my girl Winston [blue orpington] a few months back. She was lethargic and shied away from the other girls, a little diarrhea but other than those symptoms nothing was too scary but I went out to clean, as I do every morning, and she had passed.
Just recently, my girl Silk [barred rock] is acting similar. She normally runs over to me with all the other gals but is staying separated, a little puffy. She's coherent but something is off. This is the time that some molted last year...however, I don't see feather gaps around. Her comb is red, vent is clear, no diarrhea...any advice?

 

[alinas2010]

Hi welcome to the site. Sorry to hear about your chicken and your recent loss.

A lot of questions here, sorry, but this could get us on the right track to figuring out what is wrong.

When was the last time she laid an egg?

Also how was her crop this morning? Was it flat? It should be completely flat when she wakes up and full at night when she goes to sleep.

What do they eat?

Have you checked for mites and lice yet?

Any discharge, bubbles or lesions from the eyes, ears nose or in the mouth?

If possible, could you post some pictures of her or describe how she is standing or if she is puffed up or hunched up? Is her tail pointed down?Pics are always great, there are some sharp eyes here.

 

[Winston1]

Oct 15th 2024
Last egg..not sure. I feel like a bad mom because everyone seems to know when each of their chickens lays an egg. I get 4-5/day consistently, unless I deep clean their coop...I think they get mad and maybe I'll get 3 that day.

Crop is flat...no bumps/lumps. Tail is normal, in the air.

They eat Scratch and Peck 16% mash and then I mix in Scratch and Peck 16% pellets. Basically half and half in their 5lbs feeder. They have water a 3 gallon water feeder which I put 1 packet of probiotics and 1 packet of electrolytes every time I change it. Oyster shells and grit in separate containers that are there when they want it.

No discharge, bubbles or lesions from any area. Feet look good.

Oct 16th 2024
Went out to check the girls today and she seems to be fine...ran up to the gate with the others and ate the kale, apple, mealworm snack I gave them and she drank a ton...maybe getting ready to molt?

Thank you for responding so quickly! I'm going to closely monitor her and will send pictures if she puffs up again.

I appreciate I have a place to go to for advice!

 

[Winston1]

Oct 15th 2024
Last egg..not sure. I feel like a bad mom because everyone seems to know when each of their chickens lays an egg. I get 4-5/day consistently, unless I deep clean their coop...I think they get mad and maybe I'll get 3 that day.

Crop is flat...no bumps/lumps. Tail is normal, in the air.

They eat Scratch and Peck 16% mash and then I mix in Scratch and Peck 16% pellets. Basically half and half in their 5lbs feeder. They have water a 3 gallon water feeder which I put 1 packet of probiotics and 1 packet of electrolytes every time I change it. Oyster shells and grit in separate containers that are there when they want it.

No discharge, bubbles or lesions from any area. Feet look good.

Oct 16th 2024
Went out to check the girls today and she seems to be fine...ran up to the gate with the others and ate the kale, apple, mealworm snack I gave them and she drank a ton...maybe getting ready to molt?

Thank you for responding so quickly! I'm going to closely monitor her and will send pictures if she puffs up again.

I appreciate I have a place to go to for advice!

I may just be paranoid from losing Winston but it was odd behavior for her. May it also be the quick change of weather? I'm in Montana by the Canadian border and it went from summer to winter extremely fast.

 

[alinas2010]

Oct 15th 2024
Last egg..not sure. I feel like a bad mom because everyone seems to know when each of their chickens lays an egg. I get 4-5/day consistently, unless I deep clean their coop...I think they get mad and maybe I'll get 3 that day.

Crop is flat...no bumps/lumps. Tail is normal, in the air.

They eat Scratch and Peck 16% mash and then I mix in Scratch and Peck 16% pellets. Basically half and half in their 5lbs feeder. They have water a 3 gallon water feeder which I put 1 packet of probiotics and 1 packet of electrolytes every time I change it. Oyster shells and grit in separate containers that are there when they want it.

No discharge, bubbles or lesions from any area. Feet look good.

Oct 16th 2024
Went out to check the girls today and she seems to be fine...ran up to the gate with the others and ate the kale, apple, mealworm snack I gave them and she drank a ton...maybe getting ready to molt?

Thank you for responding so quickly! I'm going to closely monitor her and will send pictures if she puffs up again.

I appreciate I have a place to go to for advice!

You’re welcome! Don’t feel bad, sometimes they can be tricky about hiding laying habits. Even trickier at hiding when something is wrong.

It very well could be she’s getting ready to molt. Do check for mites/lice and worms, though. Keep an eye on her and let us know if you see anything amiss. I do recommend having some fresh water available as well as the electrolyte/probiotic water, too, just in case they decide to shun the doctored up water. We’ve seen that before here where the chickens refused to drink their water because it wasn’t regular old water, so we always recommend offering fresh, as well.

Sometimes I’ll swear someone is feeling worse than they should during their molt, but within a day, they’re back to normal and it’s just the molt taking a toll. I forget how hard it can be on them. Just watch closely. Let us know if you need anything.