Sick Chicken?

[FluffyFlounder]

I have a chicken in my flock that is very lethargic, and isn't eating much. We brought some plants and weeds out to her and she sat down and ate. I have already dismissed the idea of her being egg bound as is has been over 48 hours since she started this behavior, and we feed our chickens oyster shells daily to keep up their calcium. She also moves very little, and her behind is raised up in a hump. Can someone help or does anyone know what is causing this? This is our first sickness, and any help would be appreciated.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry for your trouble.

How old is she? Breed? Is she pooping, eating, drinking, staying with the flock, or hiding? What do the droppings look like? What is your regular feed, including treats and supplements? How big is your flock in how much space? Recent weather conditions? Last time you saw an egg from her? Are you able to post a pic of her stance and general look?

Usually egg binding is caused by an egg being too large to pass, not so much lack of calcium. When people give tums to an egg bound hen it is for the calcium to support the muscles pushing.

Welcome to BYC!

Hope we can get you some answers.

 

[FluffyFlounder]

She is about 1 year old, and her poop is diarrhea. She was staying with the flock until this morning and when I put a bin of scratch in front of her she didn't go at it at all, but when we brought out some greens (weeds) from our garden she had a few bites. Other than that, we haven't seen her eat or drink. She is an isa brown hen. We don't feed them treats except for scratch and the occasional meal worms. We feed the hens Dumor layer feed from the Tracker Supply store. Our flock is 6 chickens including the sick one, we lost one two days ago. Our run in 18 feet by 12 feet approximately. Weather conditions, 85-90 and humid. We don't keep track of who lays what, so I don't know. We are still getting the 5-6-7 eggs in the morning, so I think shes fine when it comes around egg laying. Here's a picture:

 

[rosemarythyme]

Have you picked her up and checked her over? Compare her to the healthy birds. How does the crop feel? The abdomen? Feet look ok? Any signs of parasites?

I recently had a hen with an impacted crop and while she looked fine, the fact that she had a large hard crop when the others didn't told me it was a crop issue.

 

[aart]

I'd isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so you can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

 

[FluffyFlounder]

Thanks, but what do you think it is? A parasite or sickness? Or something else?

 

[aart]

Check crop function as outlined, take pics of poops.
Do full physical exam checking belly and looking for external bugs.
Those findings may allow someone to make a guess at what ails her.
With your heat I'd give her a dose of Sav-A-Chick electrolytes/vitamins.

Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?
Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

 

[FluffyFlounder]

Thanks for all the help, but we went to check on them this morning and she was gone. All we found were a small pile of feathers. Maybe a fox. Thanks for all you guys have helped with.

 

[rosemarythyme]

So sorry that it ended like that. Would've been nice to figure out what was ailing her, in case you see a similar problem again.