Buff Cochin Is Sick

[Cody.RouenDucks]

HELP!!!!! My Buff Cochin hen was laying on her side in the yard today gasping. I was thinking she was having a heat stroke so I put her in a kiddie pool to cool her off. She seemed to feel a little better and she was standing. Only she cannot walk without falling over and I don't know what to do. Its been a couple hours and I think she is getting worse. She has been vaccinated for diseases. Does anybody know what I should do?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Where are you located? What's the weather/temperature? How old is she?
What kind of diseases was she vaccinated for? How long ago? Do you have her in the house, where it's cooler? What other symptoms is she exhibiting besides, falling over when walking?

 

[Cody.RouenDucks]

Where are you located? What's the weather/temperature? How old is she?
What kind of diseases was she vaccinated for? How long ago? Do you have her in the house, where it's cooler? What other symptoms is she exhibiting besides, falling over when walking?

Hi ChickNanny, I am located in Iowa where temps are around the 80's. She is probably 3 years old and got vaccinated for merricks disease when she was born. She is outside in a pen under the shade while she is cooled off now and is fluffing herself. Some other symptoms include her just standing and her walk is getting a little better. She is just too weak and just looks like she is a little drunk and tipsy.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Thinking you're probably right (heat/humidity), if you can get a video of her walking being tipsy, upload it via YouTube. Is she eating/drinking/poop? How does her poop look? Best to separate her to make sure she's eating/drinking, easier to observe. Have you checked her crop, is it emptying?

 

[Abriana]

There are a lot of first timer
chicken owners who experience their chickens dust bathing and think they are stuck, hurt, or injured. When mine dust bathe they often fall over afterward for whatever reason, then fluff themselves and just stand around or lay down for a while. Are you absolutely positive that she wasn’t dust bathing or that she’s just a bit lazy after her “bath”?
There could be something wrong, personally I don’t know and a video would definitely help.

 

[Cody.RouenDucks]

I will try to upload a video tomorrow. I've had chickens for 7 years and this is something I've never delt with. She can take about 4 unstable steps with out stopping or falling over. I have her separated and her poop is liquidy.