[wadz81]

I have a very poorly girl  She is breathing really heavily so we have given her garlic powder, seemed a bit more perky this morning but at tea time when we got home she seemed worse. She is very lethargic, keeps closing her eyes, and sitting down, her tail is down and her comb is a bit pale and droopy. She seems to waddle not walk, we have gad her 3 years now and the other 5 seem fine. Can anyone help what can we do ?

[wadz81]

She is drinking lots all the time, we have also given some worming pellets but don't know if it was her who ate them all. Not seen her eat for a couple of days, and she was a bit off a few months ago when we gave her a bath and blow dry because we thought she was egg bound. Seemed to pick up but never been herself since pootles round on her own alot.

[darkbrowneggs]

What breed is she.  Hybrids often dont live very long, and birds in general don't live all that long - so maybe it is just nature   I am sure you have given her a lovely life anyway.

Sometimes I have found that a few drop of Bach's Rescue Remedy in the beak can help with a very poorly or distressed bird, but it probably won't help something really serious.  I did read something about a lethal gene in some of the modern hybrids.

all the best
Sue

[wadz81]

she's a baker brown/warren. just a standard little girl, my little gardening buddy 

[GrannieAnnie]

I don't think its Mareks at that age.  Modern hybrids were only bred to last 2 years as in the commercial farms they are culled at around 18 months.  So she is a good age, but saying that, Aunt Sally's eldest is nearly 5 I think.

Some of mine are well over 3 now and are going a bit ald on top and look a bit slow, but they still wizz across the run for some corn!!

[hillfooter]

I doubt this is Mareks which generally shows itself as a nervous system disorder such as paralysis.  It usually strikes younger birds and the general symptoms are:

•Paralysis of legs, wings and neck.
•Loss of weight.
•Grey iris or irregular pupil.
•Vision impairment.
•Skin around feather follicles raised and roughened.

All these symptoms don't occur with every strain of Mareks of which there are 4.

Your chicken sounds like she has a respiratory disease.  Re the laboured breathing, is there any rattling, sneezing, runny nose or eyes. If so an antibiotic for Mycoplasma maybe in order which only your vet can prescribe.  It could be Infectous Bronchitis which often affects older birds and for which there's no cure though antibiotics may help combate secondary infections.  The waddling could indicate being egg bound which could also indicate IB.  When she last layed was there any indication of shell wrinkling? If so this strengthens the possibility of
IB.                                     

A visit to the vet is probably indicated.  You maybe faced with culling her if the symptoms persist and she deteriorates

[wadz81]

My little baby passed away last night, made them some porridge this morning because it was a bit of a cold start to the day, and when we went to let them out she was on the top nest box looking very peaceful. I will miss her soooooooooooooo much who will do the gardening with me now R.I.P. Nugget xxx

[joyfull]

 , so sorry xxx

[nicky d]

Very sorry for your loss       RIP Nugget         nickyx

[wadz81]

thanks everyone will miss her but the other 5 are keeping me on my toes or is that standing on my toes  she's at peace now bless her