bantam not acting right

[micstrachan]

Yes, an avian vet is always best if that is an option. She may just need rest to heal. If she starts declining, please let us know right away so we can try to help.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

Shes to unsteady to roost. I tried before i brought her in and she fell into my hands. So i knew something was up.
And i dont have an avian vet near me not a one within a hour takes chickens.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Bantam hen who isn't walking around much. I noticed this a few days ago

she just stands in one place and doesn't move much if she does she is really unsteady on her feet, if she leans back she nearly falls.

washing her she flinched big time when I ran my fingers over the skin area below her right hip near the keel bone.

No bruises and it didn't feel the same as the left side. Like damaged cartilage or something. All i know is she isn't herself and it's stressing out her flock and rooster who is a total gentleman

It does sound like she is injured. Do you feel that she has swelling around the leg, keel, etc.?
Unless you can have some xrays to determine the extent of her injuries, the only thing I know to do is give her supportive care at home like you are doing. Keep her warm and as comfortable as possible. You can give her an Aspirin solution at 81mg of Aspirin per 1quart of water. If you do that, you may need to sweeten the water with a little honey or sugar since Aspirin is bitter.

See that she is drinking well and eating. A little extra protein like chopped egg or tuna would be good too.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I have a Bantam hen who isn't walking around much. I noticed this a few days ago and thought it was due to the cold but I am now thinking different. I brought her in the house and she just stands in one place and doesn't move much if she does she is really unsteady on her feet, if she leans back she nearly falls.
I had to give her a but bath today her vent feathers were nasty due to her not moving and as I was gently washing her she flinched big time when I ran my fingers over the skin area below her right hip near the keel bone. This little girl is a stocky well plump in breast meat and normally is super active and flying on top of my shoulders it is now hard to see her in pain like this.
Any idea's what could be wrong with my little girl?

Forgot to mention she is eating and drinking fine, just sleeping alot

She is a beautiful little pullet. She appears be an Old English Game Bantam? A Silver Duck Wing female? She looks exactly like my SDW hens.

I'm happy to hear she's not laying yet. That helps rule certain things automatically. You mentioned that she was a later hatch so she'll be one of the smallest of your birds.

Do you have larger fowl in your flock? OEGBs and tiny bantams seem to be very resilient as far as falls, bad landings etc. However they can be prone to injury if they get accidently stepped on. Mine do get stepped on occasionally and if can knock the wind out of them. They're very quick and alert about getting out of the way. But sometimes it happens and the youngest seem to be most susceptible to injury. The way you describe that she falls into your hands, I think I know exactly what you mean.

It's really good that she's eating and drinking. I agree with the others that it sounds like it may be an injury and what you're doing as far as keeping her separate with supportive care is likely the best thing you can do for her, apart from taking her to a vet. I had to do this myself last winter for a couple of my OEGBs that hatched with a large hatch of LF chicks. It was too much for them.

Does she have a friend that would behave and stay with her? I find the bond OEGBs have with each other goes beyond what other chickens have. (Assuming I'm correct that she's an OEGB...lol) They're such personable birds with such intricate relationships amongst themselves.

 

[microchick]

I agree, @Wickedchicken6. Little Silver Duckwing girl and a pretty one at that.

I'm wondering hip injury? Could she have dislocated it? Maybe lay her on her back if she will let you and check the lengths of both legs. In a human a dislocated or injured hip one leg will be shorter than the other and the injured/fractured hip will cause the foot to turn in or out. It would be a way to rule out another possible injury.

My two little BBR pullets are little powerhouses. They fly vertical with just a few flaps of their wings. I can easily imagine them hurting themselves with a mis-landing.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

Her pap was silver duck wing, momma is a salmon colored old english and she is the mix between the two.
Shes made progress walking around a little.
All of my bantams are old english, i do have a few cochin x d'uccle crosses as well as two d'uccles. I recently had to move them in with my baby chicken flock due to a pack of coyotes pushing to close to my coops.
I will check with some help to check her hips.
And i might be able to bring in the d'uccles they are calm and collected enough for her to snuggle with.

 

[microchick]

 

[MartinsPoultry]

Update to everyone. She is doing fine and has been back in with the flock for about a week now.