Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[russ]

We have a chicken that, for the last 2 days has not wanted to move. At first, it did not want to come out of the eglu, and when it did it just sat still. When it did stand up it assumed a hunched posture as opposed to the normal upright standing chicken. At first it did drink some water and, although it would not go to food it would eat if it was handed to it. Now, it does not move at all, it has just sat still, and does not drink even when placed in front of the drinker and will not even eat strawberrys (that they all go mad for)Anyone got any ideas what is wrong with it and can we make it better? Thankyou in advcance for any advice.

P.S chicken is about 2 years old.

[Tutti Frutti]

Oh my word Russ, she sounds really, really poorly

 

I'd get her to the vets asap, quickly before it's too late. She might have an infection, cold, respiratory problems, a stuck/infected egg, worm infestation... or she might just be worn out and her time has come

 

You'll need to be armed with info such as - feeding/drinking, poos (qty & consistency), when she was last wormed with Flubenvet, colour of her comb, when she last laid and its quality (softie, thin shell etc). Does she tuck her head under her wing and sleep a lot? Is her chest rattly/wheezy? Any sniffles? Mucky bum? Is she skinny (can you feel her keel - the breast bone)? Have you checked for lice and red mite (it's the time of year for these nasty critters and they can very quickly just suck the lifeblood out of a chook)? Have you inspected the coop in the evening/at night for redmite? (they come out at night).

 

Do you have any other chooks? How are they? Maybe she's lonely and depressed!

 

If I was you, I'd bring her in from outside and put her in a dark cardboard box - I guess it's not really necessary but I'm just such a soft touch! I hope she has a quiet night. Good luck and please update us in the morning

[Egluntyne]

I agree. She needs to see a vet asap. Try to get fluids into her at least, and keep her warm.

[hippy chick]

I agree I would bring her inside for some TLC. At least that way you would be able to watch exactly how much she is eating. I think i'd give her some flat lucozade mixed with water to boost her energy levels up. And some high protein food like tuna in spring water or cat food.

I hope that she gets better for you.

[russ]

comb is its usual colour, she is sleeping a lot but does not tuck her head under its wing, does not sound wheezy and does not feel skinny. we have had one chicken (out of five) who has been laying really thin shells, sometimes just a squidgy shell in the nesting box. have checked for lice and red mite and cant see any evidence of them. so may just bring it in and see what happens

[russ]

Have just checked again and her feathers feel very dry, dont know if that is going to help her.

[russ]

she is still breathing, but looks like she is sleeping a lot. she has no feathers on the breast bone and "squeaks" when gently pushed. still nom ovement though. have another chicken that looks a little like it cant be bothered to go for the treats that they normally go nuts for.

[Chucky Mama]

She doesn't sound like she will get better on her own Russ. You need to get her checked out by a vet or someone who knows about chickens. She could have any number of things wrong with her.

[Tutti Frutti]

Please take her to the vets Russ, she really needs professional help and possibly just a course of antibiotics to fix her up. She sounds in a really, really bad way and chooks in this kind of state can die very suddenly (sorry, I don't mean to alarm you - but I've been there ). She needs professional help, more than a group of enthusiasts on a forum can offer. It's also worrying that it sounds like you have another like it... Let us know how you get on, please?

[Tutti Frutti]

How is she today Russ? Hope the vet can help

[russ]

no improvement, seeing vet later. when i let them out this morning, 2 others looked like they were trying to cough or get something out of thier throat. Had changed thier bedding yesterday, but the straw we were using came from a bale so have got rid of that this morning and replacing it with shop bought straw.

[Egluntyne]

Be sure to mention that the others seem unwell to the vet. it sounds as if it might be something infectious.

 

Good luck.

[Tutti Frutti]

What did the vet say Russ? Hope they could help...

[russ]

chicken is now at rest. there was nothing that could be done for her. the vet said that it was a paracite that ahd done her haarm, told him about the other chicken that looks like it may have early stages of same thing and am now checking regulary and will get treatment as soon as we are sure. thanks for all the help and advice.

[Christian]

Sorry to hear that she is now at rest, but at least she is no longer suffering.

 

What parasite was it? Gape worm?