[Chicken girlie]

My chicken isn't well, she's standing about with her tail dropped so low it's almost on the floor. Her legs have become very wide apart too, she's almost standing upright like a penguin.  She's fluffed up, but still eating and preferring to be away from the others. She's been like this for about a week, any ideas what it is and will the vet just put her to sleep if I take her?
Thanks

[LittleRedHen]

What's her poo like?  That tells alot.  Do you have the "Poo Page" from this site?  If not, I can send you a link.  Perhaps since its been going on for a long time, she should be taken to the vet.  It might not be too late.

[Chicken girlie]

I haven't noticed to be honest, she's dirty underneath because she's always so low to the ground.  We've taken others to the vet and they don't seem to know much about chickens.

[Chicken girlie]

What's the poo page?

[LittleRedHen]

Here's the link.  http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=17568.0

Watch her right after she eats or comes out in the morning.  I know it sounds gross but it might help you find out what's wrong.

[dizzylizzie]

 If she were mine i would get her to the vets ASAP! Chickens hide their illness very well, so she does sound very poorly
Could she be egg bound of have sterile egg peritonitis?
What other symptoms is she showing?
Is she coughing/sneezing/swollen face/around the eyes?
Have you checked around her vent, is it clean, any discharge/redness?
Have you checked her for lice/crawlies?
Is her temp high? feel under her wing, compare it to another hen.
Is her crop full at the end of the day and empty at the start of the day?
Check the crop dosent feel sqwishy , like a water balloon, and smell her breath.
Also, has she been wormed?
When you take a chicken to the vets, they will ony suggest putting her to sleep if she is suffering. If you are not confident in culling , or treating sick chickens , you should always take them to the vet, even if its just to cull humanely instead of leaving them to suffer.

[Aunt Sally]

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