7 mo Barred Rock unbalanced, stumbling

[omletters]

This started a week ago. When I first noticed, I immediately took her out of the run, and put her in a dog crate in our garage. Checked for mites, worms, bumblefoot - no.

Started her on Probiotic Egg Boost, and even added Vit E, Vit B12, and Trivisol without iron. She was laying daily, but that has slowed, I think because she hasn't really been eating as much. Since separating her, she has lost interest in food, even with all of the treats (banana, egg, yogurt, grapes.) I have started to bring her outside to see if that improves her appetite. Even tried putting her back into the run, but the other chickens pecked at her, so I took her back out.

I can't imagine what is going on, and was hoping that separation would help her, but it only seems to be making her worse. Otherwise she looks like a healthy chicken - okay comb color, alert, energetic. Thank you for any suggestions or ideas you might have!

 

[buildingmyark]

Could it be heat-related?

 

[FriendFarm]

You could also check her eyes. If she has damage to one of them it might cause her to stumble around and act unbalanced until she gets used to it. Also, if she can't see the treats, she won't get them. You might try, if you've not already, a high contrast fruit like tomatoes or strawberries, and see if she likes those better.

 

[omletters]

I doubt it's heat related. I live in Seattle, and although we had some record temperataure days recently, it didn't get over 95, and they have plenty of shade and water. Thanks for your suggestion, though!

 

[omletters]

You could also check her eyes. If she has damage to one of them it might cause her to stumble around and act unbalanced until she gets used to it. Also, if she can't see the treats, she won't get them. You might try, if you've not already, a high contrast fruit like tomatoes or strawberries, and see if she likes those better.

Thanks for the suggestion - I have looked at her eyes, and compared them to the other birds, and they look normal. I just bought some mealworms, and if she doesn't like those, I don't know what to do.