[FlyBoy]

I'm new to posting here, but been an avid reader/visitor of this site for a year now.
I've found it so valuable - so thanks to everyone who posts.

One of my ladies has become very poorly of late.  Her comb is very pale, she isn't eating, and she sleeps most of the time, and stands with her head and tail down.  I've tried worming, and hand feeding, but she just turns her head away.  Anyone any ideas?

Her poo looks very weird - yellow and green slime, which I think may be due to lack of eating?  Her vent gets very messy from this.

Not sure how to post an image of the poo.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Foxy]

Hello flyboy and welcome to the henhouse, so sorry your first post isn't a cheerful one!
Would be good if you could let us know the age and how many chooks you have? Do they free range? and have they come into lay yet? Any symptoms from the other chooks?And how long has she had the symptoms?
A little bit about your setup would be helpful too, sorry for the interogation btw!
From what you have said so far it sounds like something might have affected her gut.

[FlyBoy]

Hi Foxy,

thanks for the reply.

We've got four bantams in total.  Two are about 18 months old, the others only 4 months.
Morag (the ill one) is one of the older girls.  She had gone broody - which they are very prone to doing.  The broodiness seemed to leave her, but we noticed that her comb wasntt regaining its usual red colour, it's still very pale.

The older girls have access to layers pellets, and a scattering of corn to scratch around with.
They are kept in a pen (12ft x 7ft) during the week, but at weekends they get to free range around the garden.  They all love eating grass and my herb collection.
I keep the houses clean with poultry shield and diamataceous earth.  They are also sprinkled with lice powder and red mite powder every couple of weeks.  There are no signs of any infestation.

Morag has been lathergic for a couple of weeks i.e. not moving around too much, but since yesterday she has become very weak.  She now spends most of her time asleep.
I've tried all kinds of food, the only thing she will attemp is a small amount of rice.
Even if I hold food against her beak, she still refuses to give it a go.

None of the other girls are showing any symptoms.

best,
Flyboy

[grumpydad]

could be quite a few illnesses, from coccidiosis, worms, maybe you could try coxoid first, added to the water, or get her to a vet for some antibiotics.

martyn

[woodside farm]

Have you checked for red mites?
It could be because she is the weeker one as she was broody that they are just feeding off her on the night time.

Michelle xx

[newChickenMummy]

Sorry no advice just wanted to say I hope she gets better soon, bless her 

[FlyBoy]

Thanks everyone for the advice.
Unfortunately, Morag died at the weekend, so we have been very sad.
Her death is still a mystery.
She was in no pain, and didn't realyl display an obvious cause.

Our girls are kept clean, sprayed and powdered, wormed etc, but something else got in the way.

She is now benefitting the garden one last time under a beautiful rose bush.

Best wishes,
Fly boy

[Chookster]

  oh that's terribly sad. Very sorry you guys.x