Why Is My Chicken Lethargic and Not Eating?
Help! Any fellow chicken wranglers
I have a chicken who has all the sudden become pretty lethargic. I don't know how to tell what's going on. She doesn't seem to be having any respiratory difficulties, I couldn't seem to feel any bound eggs. She's drank some water but isn't eating. Her crop fills full and gritty but not hard. We have her inside in the dog kennel (the dog is very concerned). I plan to give her a bit of a Epsom soak and see if she'll eat some boiled yolk and/or plain yogurt. But can't find any help trying to tell what's wrong.
Ashlee Golding·
Мама двоих (2 года, 4 года), ждёт третьего
Glitch
deleted-user·
Poor thing. I'd bring her to the vet ASAP. She might have sour crop, or something easily fixed, but you don't want to wait too long to seek treatment.
deleted-user·
I don't know, but your poor chicken! I would take it to the vet. We recently got two chicks at the end of December, so I'm new to things like this. I wish I could help you
Ashlee Golding·
Мама двоих (2 года, 4 года), ждёт третьего
Unfortunately the only two vets here don't treat chickens :(. She got a bit of diarrhea so I have her on vinegar water and some plain yogurt. Hopefully that helps. A friend also gave some of her chicken antibiotic if she doesn't perk up here soon.
deleted-user·
That's so awful! The vets here don't "specialize" in treating birds, but they still won't turn away any animals and they're great at getting answers for their patients or at least giving a referral.
If her crop feels full but she hasn't been eating, I'm guessing it's infected with either yeast or bacteria. Without testing, I wouldn't know where to start with treatment. There are ways to empty the crop yourself, but it can be stressful for the hen, and sometimes dangerous. I'd contact any local farmer I could, just to get some advice from a pro. Giving meds won't help unless you get that rot out of her crop first. It'll just keep festering in there. I hope you find some help soon!
Ashlee Golding·
Мама двоих (2 года, 4 года), ждёт третьего
Me too. She was eating just fine until a couple hours ago then she started acting so funny. So I'll double check her crop in the morning to see if it's emptied at all. She's perked up a bit after I got some water in her so fingers crossed she'll pull through.
Yeah the vets with do a euthanasia and necropsy but don't actually treat the chickens. I'm not very surprised given its a farm community. Most are large-animal vets and chickens around here are just commercial layers.