Chicken attacked by flock

[MissChick@dee]

FWIW, what Dottie does in the video looks exactly like what my cockerel did when he crowed with the no-crow collar on. So much so that it is creepy for me to watch. Perhaps Dottie's backing up is unrelated to her vision issue and is instead a separate physical response to something, like pain while swallowing? Maybe it depends on what she is eating at the time or how she swallows it? Does she do this only with dry things (straw, feed, grain, mealworms, etc.) and not wet mash or yogurt? And perhaps when she had the episode on the perch it was pain/discomfort issue because she knew she couldn't back up and was holding on for dear life?

Thanks but I truly believe she has a neurological issue. I cannot ruled out vision issues with her pupils not dilate equally in response to light. I still think her vision is impaired but more so like someone who needs glasses for nearsightedness. She eats and swallows when I feed her just fine. She’s solid in weight. Her problem is she misses a lot and takes a very long time to eat. I spoil my birds and she would never treats or greens because the others would finish and then eat hers. She gets bullied and run off feed so I make sure she eats. I somehow want to tie it to some form of epilepsy. She’s Acts normal except when she has a episode. Which are coming more and more often. Baffling

 

[HeyHo]

Thanks but I truly believe she has a neurological issue.

Oh well. I was hoping maybe it could be a series of smaller problems that could be dealt with. You're the one with her every day (obviously a lot!) ... so I'm sure your instincts are right. Good luck with her -- she's a very pretty bird!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Oh well. I was hoping maybe it could be a series of smaller problems that could be dealt with. You're the one with her every day (obviously a lot!) ... so I'm sure your instincts are right. Good luck with her -- she's a very pretty bird!

Thank you so much. She’s a sweet heart such a little cuddle. It’s heartbreaking.

 

[sagehound]

@sagehound this morning Dottie had a “episode” while I was feeding her. She perches on a dowel rod for me to feed her so she gripped (rather than running backwards on the ground) she shook the perch so hard I thought she was going to fall off. I just watched...wanted to see how long it would go. Probably was a good minute (seemed longer). Afterwards she acted as if nothing was wrong. I asked my husband to come out with me to try and get a video next time.
Other than this she functions fine. She’s adapted certain behaviors. She’s smart she knows where to get feed up and away from others. Where to hide. But she’s not truly accepted by the others they run her off and bully her. It’s heartbreaking.
Until you came along I really didn’t have someone to share this with. If it’s okay with you let’s keep each other posted.

Oh wow. That is so hard. I know what you mean about it being so heartbreaking. The animal kingdom is ruthless. I would love to keep in touch and keep each other posted. I find it so comforting to know I am not alone!

 

[sagehound]

This is what Dottie does. Today she had frequent episodes had two on this video... in a minute and a half. Does your girl do this?

YES! That is exactly what she does. I don't have any idea what it is??

 

[sagehound]

Thanks but I truly believe she has a neurological issue. I cannot ruled out vision issues with her pupils not dilate equally in response to light. I still think her vision is impaired but more so like someone who needs glasses for nearsightedness. She eats and swallows when I feed her just fine. She’s solid in weight. Her problem is she misses a lot and takes a very long time to eat. I spoil my birds and she would never treats or greens because the others would finish and then eat hers. She gets bullied and run off feed so I make sure she eats. I somehow want to tie it to some form of epilepsy. She’s Acts normal except when she has a episode. Which are coming more and more often. Baffling

I just starting noticing Annie's episodes about a month or so ago. She is almost 8 months old (30 weeks). I haven't tested her eyesight or anything as I wasn't sure if it was normal or not. This is my first batch of chicks. Now that I know it isn't I'm not sure what to do. I still have her in the crate as her head is still healing. I'm kind of afraid to let her out....but I know I need to. She has stopped laying eggs while in the crate and I can't tell if she has pooped as she keeps mixing up the deep straw and I can't find it. Is there something I can do to check? I don't know how to check the crop. Sorry....I'm a rookie but learning fast.

Based on my other chickens, I would say she has a neurological problem too. The others don't act anything like that. Since I know someone else with this same problem I wonder if it is something hereditary?

 

[MissChick@dee]

To check her crop is really easy. Chickens really load up on feed right before dark. To last them throughout the night. I’m thinking she has access to feed all the time right? Feel her crop right before she goes to sleep. It should feel like a big walnut or ping pong ball. Firm but you should be able to massage and manipulate it. Take you time...like feeling a little bean bag it absolutely won’t hurt her. Mine actually like it they are use to me doing it. At night it should be full. Take away all her feed and water over night. Then before you give her any thing in the morning ...feel the crop again. It should be empty actually hard to find. That tells you she’s processing her feed. It’s really kinda easy to explain it in-non exact terms -the crop is like the chickens stomach on the lower side of their neck. Foods stored there before it passes to the gizzard where it’s ground up *by the grit* they eat, since they don’t have teeth to chew. Grit is makes digestion possible.
To check her poop you could do a couple of things. First provide some kind of perch. I put a cut piece of fire wood in my crate for her to perch on so she’s not pooping on her feathers while she sleeps. You could remove the straw and put down paper towels. You could roll up a towel and duct tape it tightly to make a perch too.
Dottie is not crated now. She’s fully integrated with her flock mates. And has been for sometime. She voluntarily goes into the crate or under my coop in a little pen that’s there too. She isolates a lot.
Our girls are about the same age. Mine gets bullied in normal chicken fashion. Mine is lowest in the pecking order. They have a innate sense that something is wrong with her and in the wild chickens will kill a bird like that because they know this bird should not breed. Just like they will kill a injured flock member. Not to freak you out but they are animals ya know?
Mine have not gone to the extent to draw blood. I feel so awful for you..and your hen. If I was able to pin point who was the aggressor what would I do?? I’d love them both. Hard situation I can relate 100%.
I’m still in the learn as you go phase. Her episodes are coming more often. I know many people who read this will be saying they would of culled her. I’m not quite there yet. I have lots of time since I’m retired and my curiosity wants to see where this leads. I will not let her suffer. There’s really no hope for her to regain what others would call a normal life. I know this. But she’s otherwise healthy and I’ll continue.
I don’t know why our girls are the way they are. Sad situation. I take it one day at a time. One problem at a time. What would be the chance we’d have this in common. Thanks for replying.

 

[sagehound]

To check her crop is really easy. Chickens really load up on feed right before dark. To last them throughout the night. I’m thinking she has access to feed all the time right? Feel her crop right before she goes to sleep. It should feel like a big walnut or ping pong ball. Firm but you should be able to massage and manipulate it. Take you time...like feeling a little bean bag it absolutely won’t hurt her. Mine actually like it they are use to me doing it. At night it should be full. Take away all her feed and water over night. Then before you give her any thing in the morning ...feel the crop again. It should be empty actually hard to find. That tells you she’s processing her feed. It’s really kinda easy to explain it in-non exact terms -the crop is like the chickens stomach on the lower side of their neck. Foods stored there before it passes to the gizzard where it’s ground up *by the grit* they eat, since they don’t have teeth to chew. Grit is makes digestion possible.
To check her poop you could do a couple of things. First provide some kind of perch. I put a cut piece of fire wood in my crate for her to perch on so she’s not pooping on her feathers while she sleeps. You could remove the straw and put down paper towels. You could roll up a towel and duct tape it tightly to make a perch too.
Dottie is not crated now. She’s fully integrated with her flock mates. And has been for sometime. She voluntarily goes into the crate or under my coop in a little pen that’s there too. She isolates a lot.
Our girls are about the same age. Mine gets bullied in normal chicken fashion. Mine is lowest in the pecking order. They have a innate sense that something is wrong with her and in the wild chickens will kill a bird like that because they know this bird should not breed. Just like they will kill a injured flock member. Not to freak you out but they are animals ya know?
Mine have not gone to the extent to draw blood. I feel so awful for you..and your hen. If I was able to pin point who was the aggressor what would I do?? I’d love them both. Hard situation I can relate 100%.
I’m still in the learn as you go phase. Her episodes are coming more often. I know many people who read this will be saying they would of culled her. I’m not quite there yet. I have lots of time since I’m retired and my curiosity wants to see where this leads. I will not let her suffer. There’s really no hope for her to regain what others would call a normal life. I know this. But she’s otherwise healthy and I’ll continue.
I don’t know why our girls are the way they are. Sad situation. I take it one day at a time. One problem at a time. What would be the chance we’d have this in common. Thanks for replying.

Thank you!!
I will check her tonight and then again in the morning. She is healing up really well and laid an egg this afternoon. There is no more blood or redness. She is still missing some feathers on her head but I'm wondering if I should start letting her out with the flock while I can supervise?

I will also find something that I can put in there for her to roost on. She would probably like that and I don't know why I didn't think of it. Thank you!

I am not sure what I will do long term if they continue pecking on her. But I will cross that bridge when it happens.

Thank you so much for your help and support. I would love to continue to compare notes and keep in touch.

 

[sagehound]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Annie has healed up nicely is back with the flock. So far no problems. fingers crossed. I am now using the dog crate for another chicken that has a broken toe. So I want to make sure she is eating and drinking. The adventures never end.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Great news