Jaceyschram
In the Brooder
- Sep 9, 2023
- 17
- 5
- 26
I have a 1 year old bantam silkie that is unsteady on her feet. List of events:
Week Prior: Broody, not unusual for her. She started coming out of her broodiness and was exhibiting what seemed to be her normal behavior.
Night Of: When putting the flock in for the night, she was laying on her side on the floor of the coop. She couldn't turn herself upright. I picked her up and put her in her usual sleeping spot (which is in an egg box next to the roosts instead of on a roost). I thought that my cat had knocked her over because she had been in the coop when i opened the door (never hurts the chickens, pretty disinterested).
Next Day: She got down from the coop (I didn't see, but she was now on the floor like the others) and was dong her normal morning routine of food, water, and scratching, but she was wobbly on her feet.
Following 3 Days: She is unsteady on her feet and has to walk slowly, stumbles backward, and has to sit to regain balance often. She is able to hobble to food, water, and treats. The others are not picking on her and her best friend and rooster hang out with her during the day. She is not climbing the board to get to her usual sleep spot, instead sleeping on the coop floor now. I've found her sideways a few times and put her upright. She seems better in the mornings as compared to afternoon/evening.
I have checked her over for mites, bumble foot, and any injuries. There is nothing I can see.
Her legs seem to have a full range of motion and her foot is able to grasp my hand when I pick her up. I wouldn't describe her movements as looking drunk, but just "unsteady". She is otherwise alert, talkative, and social with her best friend and rooster. Layed an egg 2 days ago.
I have lost chickens to Marek's in the past unfortunately, but this doesn't look like the same thing to me. Her legs aren't paralyzed and she doesn't seem to be withering away. She has an appetite and gets excited for treats.
I have now moved her into our extra bedroom to try to help her recover (or is best to keep her in the coop but separated from the others? I worry about her getting stuck on her side and overheated if the sun is on her). I am currently giving her Nutri Drench and electrolytes.
Any help would be appreciated. She's one of my sweetest girls and I don't want to lose her but also don't want her to suffer.
Week Prior: Broody, not unusual for her. She started coming out of her broodiness and was exhibiting what seemed to be her normal behavior.
Night Of: When putting the flock in for the night, she was laying on her side on the floor of the coop. She couldn't turn herself upright. I picked her up and put her in her usual sleeping spot (which is in an egg box next to the roosts instead of on a roost). I thought that my cat had knocked her over because she had been in the coop when i opened the door (never hurts the chickens, pretty disinterested).
Next Day: She got down from the coop (I didn't see, but she was now on the floor like the others) and was dong her normal morning routine of food, water, and scratching, but she was wobbly on her feet.
Following 3 Days: She is unsteady on her feet and has to walk slowly, stumbles backward, and has to sit to regain balance often. She is able to hobble to food, water, and treats. The others are not picking on her and her best friend and rooster hang out with her during the day. She is not climbing the board to get to her usual sleep spot, instead sleeping on the coop floor now. I've found her sideways a few times and put her upright. She seems better in the mornings as compared to afternoon/evening.
I have checked her over for mites, bumble foot, and any injuries. There is nothing I can see.
Her legs seem to have a full range of motion and her foot is able to grasp my hand when I pick her up. I wouldn't describe her movements as looking drunk, but just "unsteady". She is otherwise alert, talkative, and social with her best friend and rooster. Layed an egg 2 days ago.
I have lost chickens to Marek's in the past unfortunately, but this doesn't look like the same thing to me. Her legs aren't paralyzed and she doesn't seem to be withering away. She has an appetite and gets excited for treats.
I have now moved her into our extra bedroom to try to help her recover (or is best to keep her in the coop but separated from the others? I worry about her getting stuck on her side and overheated if the sun is on her). I am currently giving her Nutri Drench and electrolytes.
Any help would be appreciated. She's one of my sweetest girls and I don't want to lose her but also don't want her to suffer.
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