Listless chook

herbshirt · **Joined:** Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:07 am **Posts:** 3

Hi Guys,

I have 4 Road Island Reds. Only about 3 months old. All very healthy and laying well until this morning. I opened the pen to let them out and only 3 came rushing out. The 4th just sitting there.

I've done a quick bit of research; Her feathers all look fine, she doesn't appear to have an egg stuck. She just sits there on the ground, almost dozing off to sleep. Its horrible. I can't get her to eat anything. I don't see any lice. Could she possibly need worming or...?

I'd very much appreciate some advice.

Thanks,
Brad.

FowlMan · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2012 2:09 pm

That would be the first thing to do after you take her out from the other just in case its not worms but something contagious and keep her warm and lots of food and water around her. I would give her worming tables not in the water as she needs it ASAP and

C.K · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2012 2:52 pm

I would take her out from the others too , but Have you had them 3 months as they don't start laying till at least 6 months sometime longer?
does she still sit there when you go to her or does she ruffle her feathers just asking to rule out broodyness?
be good Idea to worm them all and check for red mite these only come out at night and hide during the day.

herbshirt · **Joined:** Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:07 am **Posts:** 3

ok cool. Thanks guys.

She was wormed about 3 months ago when I first got them. Spoke to pet shop lady where I got them and she's been very helpful and really seems to know her stuff. She asked lots of questions (said they'd been vaccinated and wormed). The chooks chest is a little bony so Gizzard worms was suggested.

I've removed her form the others and she's in a box lined with a towel with water and seed and greens next to her. She doesn't move much at all and has started sounding very snotty, even had a sneeze...

I'll get the worming stuff tomorrow.

C.K · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2012 3:42 pm

She could have a cold TLC is needed for her.

Fleur · **Joined:** Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:52 pm **Posts:** 24

Or try and get some medication to treat it. I used to be able to buy it over the counter at the vets but now I need to get it online. Respiratory ailments seem to respond well to medication plus you may want to ensure your other girls have not caught it too.

I have found that once chickens show their illness they are usually very, very sick. Some sort of survival instinct to not show weakness to predetors I think.

Have you checked her poo to see if it is runny or bloody? I know you said the birds were vaccinated but in reality people lie, especially when it comes to selling an animal.

Good luck, I hope you have a happy ending for your girl

herbshirt · **Joined:** Thu Oct 11, 2012 9:07 am **Posts:** 3

She's actually still just hanging out on my verandah sick. Her poo is very runny and weird but seems to be slowly returning to normal. She's also eating. Soft foods only until this morning she ate some seed again. She's starting to go for small walks, a couple of feet at a time. She's had a lot of trouble standing and walking.

I wormed her but it seems like that wasn't the problem. She lost weight but hoping now that she's eating again she'll soon put it back on.

I have a friend looking after her while I'm away a couple of days so we'll soon see how she goes I guess.

Thankyou all for your input so far...

Fleur · **Joined:** Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:52 pm **Posts:** 24

It may be worth considering coccidiosis?

I am currently treating some of my younger birds for this after noticing a drop in their condition even though they had minimal blood in their feaces. I have had much older birds affected in the past also and have excellent results by using amprolium.

Good luck:D

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