Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hey everyone, I could really use some advice.

I have a 3-year-old hen (not sure of the breed) who seemed perfectly fine at the start of winter, but recently, she's been acting pretty lethargic. Shes barely moving around and isnt eating much at all. When I check on her, her crop is empty all day, even though Im providing food and water to make up for the lack of eating. Her poop is runny, but theres no unusual color to it. Shes also got a pale comb and has been fluffing up her feathers like shes cold or not feeling well.

Im really concerned, and Ill try to update with more info as I learn more about whats going on. Has anyone dealt with something similar? Any suggestions on what might be happening or what steps I should take? Thanks so much in advance!

One thing Id suggest is getting her checked for internal laying or ascites (fluid in the abdomen), as these can cause lethargy and poor appetite. If you can, also check her abdomen for any signs of swelling or discomfort.

Have you checked her for any signs of parasites? Coccidiosis can cause lethargy, poor appetite, and diarrhea, though the poop would usually have some discoloration. Id also recommend doing a fecal float test to rule out any internal parasites.

She could also be dealing with bacterial or viral infections, like infectious bronchitis or salpingitis, which can make hens behave lethargically and cause poor appetite. I would recommend isolating her from the rest of the flock and getting her checked by a vet for an accurate diagnosis.

I had a similar issue with one of my hens last winter. It turned out to be egg peritonitis. The runny poop and lethargy were the first signs, and the pale comb followed. A vet could give you a clearer diagnosis if you're able to take her in.

A pale comb and lethargy could be signs of anemia or an underlying infection. If she's not eating, it's crucial to keep her hydrated. Have you tried offering her something like chopped boiled eggs or yogurt to tempt her appetite?

I agree with others that it could be an infection or even something like dehydration. If she's not eating but drinking, dehydration can be an issue. Try offering her some broth (low-sodium, of course) to encourage her to drink more fluids.

It might also be a nutritional issue. Sometimes, hens can become lethargic and refuse food if they're not getting the right vitamins or minerals. Have you tried offering a little extra calcium or electrolytes in her water to help boost her energy?

You might want to try isolating her for a bit to monitor her more closely and reduce stress from the other hens. If she's still not eating, it's important to keep offering her soft food like oatmeal or scrambled eggs to keep her strength up while you figure out what's going on.

Since you mentioned her crop is empty all day, I'd check for a crop impaction or slow crop. Try offering some apple cider vinegar water to see if it helps with digestion. A warm compress might also help if it's related to impaction.