[URGENT] My chicken suddenly became very lethargic, pale comb and wattles, and trouble moving.

[carman22]

Hi, I have a buff orpington hen and she is just turned four years old. Over the past month or so, my chicken will not eat as much as usual, and sits away from the rest of my chickens on occasion. At first I thought she had an impacted crop, and I have massaged her crop and shes thrown up water a couple times in the past. She has been eating less in general, at least from what I see. But then next day she seems almost back to 100% and stays like that for a few days before she becomes really lethargic again. But today is the worst I have ever seen her.

She has not left the coop today, and yesterday she had her head tucked in her wing or keeping her head close to her body. When she tried to get into the coop, she flew and then fell, as if she didnt have any energy. Yesterday and today she has a very pale pink comb and wattle, and her demeanor has changed to be more docile. Also, her stools are also watery or foamy, but no signs of worms inside the stool. But I am not 100% sure if its always watery/foamy, but that is what I see.

Today I looked in the coop and she is sitting in it but in an abnormal way. It looks like shes sitting down as if she has zero energy, with her head drooping or her head in tucked in her wing/body, like before. I have tried giving her water, but she struggles to walk and moves away from me, but she has gotten a little bit of water. I have looked into this online and there are a lot of reasons why this could be happening, so I wanted to make a post to get some help diagnosing her. I am really worried about her not being able to walk that well, she was moving completely fine two days ago. She doesn't seem like shes suffering from an injury, but something like a sickness, maybe being egg bound or having parasites/worms, or maybe its still an impacted crop. I have no clue, I would greatly appreciate any help people can give. Thank you.

 

[Southstar]

When was the last time she laid an egg?

 

[carman22]

When was the last time she laid an egg?

I cant determine if shes laid an egg or not because I only have buffs, but there are eggs. However I noticed today that there is a tiny egg in their nesting box, about the size of a peanut m&m haha. So maybe thats her egg? Not sure.

 

[carman22]

Update: She is doing a tiny bit better, but im pretty sure i felt an egg in her near her abdomen. I gave her an epson salt bath and i am worried that she is too lethargic to pass the egg

the photo attached is how pale her comb is, i have been giving her soupy feed and shes been eating a lot of it.

 

[Weeg]

If this has been happening for over a month, than it is not egg binding.
The odd stools are likely because she is not eating. How much does she weigh? How does her crop feel? Hard, enlarged, squishy, soft, full, flat? Is it emptying overnight?

I'm going to tag a few experienced members that may be able to help.
@azygous @Wyorp Rock

 

[Gaurdiansofthecoop]

We had the exact same with my chicken she is a silkie bantam. we have had her inside for 2 weeks nursing her by feeding through a syringe soupy food and water, she just didn’t move had her eye closed or face under her wing all the time. Then out of nowhere 2 days ago she pepped up and is eating independently moving about and clucking again. However her face is very dry, not sure if it’s due to the lack of regular food and being not outside. But we are integrating her back to the flock today. So don’t give up hope and keep feeding her that soupy mixture, we also put energy solutions for chickens in it too, and be prepared for the fact you might not know what was wrong.

 

[carman22]

If this has been happening for over a month, than it is not egg binding.
The odd stools are likely because she is not eating. How much does she weigh? How does her crop feel? Hard, enlarged, squishy, soft, full, flat? Is it emptying overnight?

I'm going to tag a few experienced members that may be able to help.
@azygous @Wyorp Rock

Her crop was completely empty, probably because she has ate very little. But when I gave her the soupy feed she had a full crop. She has always been a light chicken but she seems to weigh a little less than usual.

Before her becoming this lethargic, her crop has been full and she would do head jerks on occasion. It seemed like she was trying to pass something. What I'm mainly worried about is if this issue she has had off and on for about a month now caused a potential egg binding.

Also, she is doing the "penguin" stance at times, so that is why I am worried about egg binding.

 

[carman22]

We had the exact same with my chicken she is a silkie bantam. we have had her inside for 2 weeks nursing her by feeding through a syringe soupy food and water, she just didn’t move had her eye closed or face under her wing all the time. Then out of nowhere 2 days ago she pepped up and is eating independently moving about and clucking again. However her face is very dry, not sure if it’s due to the lack of regular food and being not outside. But we are integrating her back to the flock today. So don’t give up hope and keep feeding her that soupy mixture, we also put energy solutions for chickens in it too, and be prepared for the fact you might not know what was wrong.

This is reassuring, thank you. I really hope she gets through this I have been worried about her all day. I will continue to feed her soupy feed in the morning.

 

[azygous]

The long duration of this illness and the steady decline points to a chronic illness such as cancer or EYP which is a chronic infection. You're doing as much as can be since there really is no treatment. This could also be internal laying, which is also a chronic condition. All of these are terminal.

Continue to feed her the wet mash. If she regains some energy, feed soft boiled egg, applesauce, grated carrot, melon. These will boost glucose and hydrate her. She may recover some energy and live a little longer. But if she continues to decline as she has been, euthanasia should be considered to shorten her suffering.

 

[carman22]

Update: We got her out of the coop and it looks like she did poop, but not 100% sure, and she had her head in her wing still which is how she was when we put her back in the coop yesterday. She didnt have enough energy to lift her head up . But I gave her some probiotic water and she started to open her eyes a little and she is now keeping her head up.

She is also gasping for air sometimes, but randomly, not sure what that means.