Arrested development? in a Buff Orpington hen

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Wyorp Rock said:
Thank you for the videos:)

Have you looked inside her ears just to make sure there is no infection, debris or ear mites?

Has she always flicked her head when eating? Does she only do that when eating crumbles or does she flick the head often.

The flicking of the head and loss of balance does sound neurological. Whether the cause is nutritional, genetic/developmental or disease (Marek's) related it would be hard to know.
Since she is stunted, I would lean toward genetics - but you can't rule out Marek's.
I would try Vitamin E (400IU daily) and 1/2 tablet human Vitamin B-Complex for a couple of weeks to see if that makes a difference. Give her a little treat of egg or tuna for Selenium, this helps with the uptake of E. Since you hand feed her/save goodies for her - egg with the vitamins mixed in would work nicely for "treat time".

I don't know of any natural de-wormers, can you tell us what that is? Getting a fecal float would be a good thing to do. If she has worms, then treating those with something like Safeguard or Valbazen is the way to go.

Her crop looks quite full in the video, which is a good thing if she's been eating, but I would also check it just to make sure it's emptying completely overnight.
Click to expand...

Thank you @Wyorp Rock for your time and attention on this. No, I haven't checked for ear mites, but will figure out how to this today for sure!!! Yikes... are ear mites contagious? None of my other girls have this 'tick' and I don't find mites or bugs on them. (I check everyone frequently).

Yes, she's always flicked her head to some degree when eating and even when not. I just went back through their "baby videos" and noticed it back then too, not quite as pronounced as it is now... but present for sure when eating & just standing.

When I first got the day old chicks - I REALLY wanted buff orpington chicks, but she was the last one left, so I took her. I had nothing then, to compare her to. I went back to the farm in May - and asked about the fact that she wasn't growing, and they said it's fine, Buff Orpington chicks are always "late bloomers". The were all vaccinated for Mareks... (so I was told.) Can Mareks come back?

Here is a video of Goldie - last May 2018 (not much growth since then) but here's the head shake just being held:
...

I always watch everyone's crop morning & night to make sure they're full at bedtime, and empty in the morning. Hers' seems to empty & fill nicely like the other girl's. She poops ok too - but I noticed her feet and legs - are always ICE cold... Granted it's winter weather here now (Jersey Shore) but the other girls' legs aren't that cold in comparison.

I think the vitamin E & B complex are an EXCELLANT idea, and would hurt at all, so I will definitely try this!!! Tuna for the Selenium is an excellent idea too! It will be easy to add that to her 'private' special treats! Awesome idea! Thank you!

The "natural wormers": I researched a lot (like 2 years) before I began this wonderful journey with 'being owned by' chickens. My greatest fear was that I'd accidentally hurt one of the girls, due to my ignorance. I've also had horses for 25 years, so I'm familiar with medical stuffs, and versed in the worming process and it's important necessity. But for the chicks - since they're providing us with eggs... I really hesitated to introduce harsh, toxic chemicals. I am also one who (this sounds gross) but I examine their droppings carefully each day... and yes, a fecal float would definitely be a VERY good idea periodically! So here's a gross question... HOW do I do this? Put a poo - in a plastic baggie and take it into the vet? I've never done this... oof!

In my path of researching - I eventually landed on the "Fresh Eggs Daily" website - and her natural approach to worming, which is what I've been following. I actually make "smoothies" in my nutribullet for the chicks each month - using plain yogurt - and I include as much of the following as I can (what is growing in my gardens & can gather from foraging): fresh dill, carrots, cucumber, garlic, mint, nasturtium, plantain, pumpkin, dandelion greens, watermelon and squash. (most of which is also available at the market when it's out of season). These naturally diuretic plants - mixed in with plain yogurt, can flush any worms out of the host's body. Sometimes I add a drop of molasses.

Hope that helps?
 
FiddleChics said:
But for the chicks - since they're providing us with eggs... I really hesitated to introduce harsh, toxic chemicals. I am also one who (this sounds gross) but I examine their droppings carefully each day... and yes, a fecal float would definitely be a VERY good idea periodically! So here's a gross question... HOW do I do this? Put a poo - in a plastic baggie and take it into the vet? I've never done this... oof!
Click to expand...
Yes, collect your sample into a baggie or small container and take it the vet for testing:)
Not all worms can be seen by the naked eye. If there is a load of roundworms you would see those and sometimes you may see tapeworm segments, but for the most part you will not see worms in the feces.
I agree that you should not treat with de-wormers unless you have confirmation that they even exist or if birds are in a state of decline and symptomatic.
If they are healthy, eating/drinking, active, etc. then all should be well.
 
Wyorp Rock said:
The vaccine is supposed to help prevent the formation of Marek's tumors, it does not prevent infection from the virus.

Has she always flicked her head when eating? Does she only do that when eating crumbles or does she flick the head often.

Here's some reading on Marek's for you.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq
Click to expand...

OH.... MY.... GOSH!!!!!! WHAT an amazing article! THANK YOU for the link. This was a mind expanding (mind blowing) read - for sure. Initially... I started to get overwhelmed... but that's useless. Marek's is a reality - and we have to deal with it if that's what the problem is. But balancing all the info I've got - I honestly don't think now, it's Marek's. This chick's had that head tick since the very beginning (and she had the Marek's vaccine -and I know that's not a cure just an alert for their body - to the disease)... but she never was sturdy, strong or stout... just always runty. So I just love her and keep giving her the best I can... as I do for all the girls.

I am going to take the article's advice and add a small bit of fresh cranberries & vitamin B12 - into her treats (and maybe a bit for the other girls too - as it has no proven bad effects) but in taking all that information that's been shown to me since I posted this concern here... I think it's a neurological problem with her. She was not right from the start (which was probably why she was the last one left) and though I didn't realize it at the time - I see after going back through the 'baby' videos of her and the other chicks. It was my first flock ever - and I didn't know any different.

I'm happy, since reading that article - to know I do provide immune boosting herbs, ACV, garlic & Probios for the girls 2x a week... which, hopefully will keep the rest of their immune systems up, and keep them strong healthy. Whew!
 
FiddleChics said:
OH.... MY.... GOSH!!!!!! WHAT an amazing article! THANK YOU for the link. This was a mind expanding (mind blowing) read - for sure. Initially... I started to get overwhelmed... but that's useless. Marek's is a reality - and we have to deal with it if that's what the problem is. But balancing all the info I've got - I honestly don't think now, it's Marek's. This chick's had that head tick since the very beginning (and she had the Marek's vaccine -and I know that's not a cure just an alert for their body - to the disease)... but she never was sturdy, strong or stout... just always runty. So I just love her and keep giving her the best I can... as I do for all the girls.

I am going to take the article's advice and add a small bit of fresh cranberries & vitamin B12 - into her treats (and maybe a bit for the other girls too - as it has no proven bad effects) but in taking all that information that's been shown to me since I posted this concern here... I think it's a neurological problem with her. She was not right from the start (which was probably why she was the last one left) and though I didn't realize it at the time - I see after going back through the 'baby' videos of her and the other chicks. It was my first flock ever - and I didn't know any different.

I'm happy, since reading that article - to know I do provide immune boosting herbs, ACV, garlic & Probios for the girls 2x a week... which, hopefully will keep the rest of their immune systems up, and keep them strong healthy. Whew!
Click to expand...
It's one of the best articles that I know of!
I would also add some Vitamin E to her routine as well, no more than 2 times a week since it's not excreted in the urine like the B-Vitamins are. You can also search for high E foods and give those as a treat instead of dosing her with the oil.
Remember, everything in moderation:)

I'm inclined to think since she has always been like this, it's genetic. Even if it turned out to be Marek's, trying to treat symptoms is the best you can do. As long as she is eating/drinking and relatively active, just enjoy her. BO's are some of the sweetest birds I have ever had.
 
Wyorp Rock said:
It's one of the best articles that I know of!
I would also add some Vitamin E to her routine as well, no more than 2 times a week since it's not excreted in the urine like the B-Vitamins are. You can also search for high E foods and give those as a treat instead of dosing her with the oil.
Remember, everything in moderation:)

I'm inclined to think since she has always been like this, it's genetic. Even if it turned out to be Marek's, trying to treat symptoms is the best you can do. As long as she is eating/drinking and relatively active, just enjoy her. BO's are some of the sweetest birds I have ever had.
Click to expand...

I think that's a wise suggestion & going to be my strategy now... Mareks or genetics... either way - I will do my best for her.

I do love her sweet temperament, and had read that Orpingtons are generally like that. I plan to get 2 more next spring (NOT from the farmer I got her!!!) and - 2 more Australorps.

I saw in that article you sent me the link to - they had suggestions for holistic helps... so I just took out a snack of yogurt, fresh ground cranberries, B12 crushed, turmeric powder, black pepper... (curcumin release) & a dollop of apple sauce, (gotta have something in there that's good, & to make it more liquid to blend). In Goldie's 'special bowl' I added a bit of crumbled tuna on top, for the selenium and Oh MY - she & all the girls LOVED it! :) I should have put the vitamin E in... but will definitely add that next time. Good idea. I'll look for good foods that are rich in these nutrients, which will make it more interesting. The 'smoothies' are just SO easy... and they seem to LOVE them!

I love "cooking" for the chickens - they're always SO eager & appreciative, no one ever complains, they clean the bowl... and they love me so much for it! hah... :)
 

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