Chicken appears a bit drunk

[jbudin2000]

I have one gal ( Black Sexlink) who started laying at about 51/2 months and after 21 straight days of laying appears to have had a prolapse. We were able to get the egg out and push tissue back in asap. She laid once or twice after that, just yokes. and not since.. She is now about 1 1/2 yrs old still doesn't lay but is a happy camper. Recently she is unsteady on her feet. If she lifts a leg to groom or scratch she tips over and has to regain her balance. Stepping out of the coop in the morning she walks as if tipsy and a bit slower than she use to. She eats heartily, still runs and plays with others. She has taken to sleeping laying down instead of on the perch, assume it's a balance issue.

Thoughts, suggestions????

Jodi in Miami

 

[Eggcessive]

Internal laying might be a possibility. That and egg yolk peritonitis can cause a lot of the same symptoms. I would check her ears for swelling and swab them out with a QTip in case of an ear infection which might cause a balance problem. Internal laying and egg yolk peritonitis are very common in hens who quit laying early, and have mobility problems. Here is some reading about those:
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
http://www.theveterinaryexpert.com/backyard-poultry/egg-yolk-peritonitis/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/526089/egg-yolk-peritonitis

 

[jbudin2000]

Thank you for your quick reply to my query.

I will check her ears as you suggested as well. It's been a good 5 moths since she stopped laying. Does that change any suspicions regarding the possibility of internal laying and/or egg yolk peritonitis.

Her comb is a bit ashen and floppy as well.
Would there any reason to isolate her? I would feel bad to do it if it's not necessary.


Jodi