Lackluster Black Australorp Hen, Need Advice

17 years ago

One of my two Black Australorp hens seems off. She's very low energy, seeking out corners away from the rest of the flock. Her comb is kind of gray-red compared to her sister Australorp. This morning when I tossed down some scratch she showed no interest. She's about 6-1/2 months old.

Her feathers are still glossy, her vent looks clean and moist.

Someone suggested that she'd been pushed down the pecking order and she might be sulking. I know that one of the two black hens was the boss for a while, but now that my rooster has matured (he's about 5 months old) he's quickly rising in the order. Could that be what's going on?

What else should I look for, and is there anything preventative I should do?

--Johanna

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Comments (6)

mamacotti
17 years ago
And you've checked all over her body for injuries? No wounds? Sometimes they are hard to find...

Is she walking? Drinking? You might need to seperate her to determine how "sick" she seems. Do you worm your chickens? Maybe she needs worming...some believe in that, some don't.

Regardless, if it seems practical for you, I'd bring her in and put her on a warm (not hot!) heating pad with a towel over it. You'll want to see how she eats/drinks and check the consistancy of her poop. Do you have a small cage or a dog crate? Good luck!
johanna_h
Original Author
17 years ago
I hadn't thought about injuries, nothing obvious but I'm sure it's possible. She walks, though not with the enthusiasm that the rest of the hens do. I came home at lunchtime and put her in a dog kennel under a heat lamp to help her be more comfortable (kept her at about 60 degrees), and gave her food and water. When I came home after work there's no poop in the crate, or any indication that she's consumed anything.

She's paying attention to what's going on around her, and she does stand up when I come near, apparently hoping I'll let her out! I haven't wormed them -- if I get a sample from her I'll take it to the vet to be checked.

Guess I'll see how she does overnight.

--Johanna
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johanna_h
Original Author
17 years ago
Update:

The hen, now that she's been segregated and under a heat lamp for a bit over 24 hours, seems to be in ok spirits. Her droppings appear watery and maybe foamy. She has taken water, I'm unclear if she ate any of the food I left her.

Any ideas?

Johanna
dirtbetty
17 years ago
I had a sick chicken this summer, she was about 4 months old and she was very lethargic, would eat occasionally but like yours stayed away from everyone. Long story short she had an impaction in her intestines. She was not pooping (the green part of the poop) only urinating (clear or white stuff), which meant that food was not passing out, she eventually died a very slow death. After taking her to the vet and actually checking if she had an impacted crop it turned out to be a balled up wad of grass that was like a cork in her intestine not allowing food to pass. You may want to try giving her a few drops of mineral oil or if she is still eating make sure she has grit. Depending on how long she has been this way there may be nothing you can do. I hope this is not the case but it's one possibility.
johanna_h
Original Author
17 years ago
Betty--

Yikes, that doesn't sound good. Chickita is more interested in food today than she has been, and maybe a little perkier. It's notably warmer today, too, and sunny, I wonder if that helps.

Anyway, she hasn't layed an egg since she was confined on Thursday. I'm hoping that if she's starting to eat now, she'll start to poop, too. But I'll try the mineral oil (there is grit mixed in with her food, if she's eating that) and see.

Johanna
johanna_h
Original Author
17 years ago
I am glad to announce that "Sickita" (formerly "Chickita") has rejoined the flock and is exhibiting a renewed enthusiasm for sunshine and grass. Apparently a few days in the sick bay reinvigorated her.

--Johanna

Lackluster Black Australorp Hen, Need Advice

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