Chicken looks dizzy, wings down sort of fluffed and keeps shaking head

[misscrazy24]

Hi,


I have 6 young chickens (was 7) one died two days ago (they're about 7 months). It was a random death - I assume she jumped off something and hit her head and I thought maybe she was in shock but she died

. Now one of my other hens (there are 6 left: 3 hens (1 gender unknown?!) and 3 roosters. Sigh - one is a late blooming rooster (or maybe jsut a different type of chicken).

Anyway - so one of my hens died. Now another one is sick! Again - its so sudden - cause unknown.

Her wings are bit down,
seems like her leg/legs are hurt shes kind of limping
randomly jerks her head
not moving much (potentially cuz of foot)

I am so worried

I dont want her to die. It was depressing when Fluffy died

. Is she maybe egg bound? I dont think I can feel anything but I really don't know what to do

Help please.

 

[artsyrobin]

have you checked for mites or lice? the shaking head might be something to do with it- also read this thread- https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=219553

what are you feeding? how is the poop?

 

[misscrazy24]

Hi thanks for the reply.

Definitely no lice or mites. My chickens are actually living indoors right now b/c of all the snow - and they were born just as snow started to fall. We'll be taking them back to the farm once it clears up.

Poop is fine too. They eat rice/seeds/lentils sometimes egg shells , veggies/fruits - left overs. Things like that. She's been eating this the whole time - it was realy random today just out of no where

. I check on them several times a day so when I came at night to put them to bed i found her a bit lazy so I'm a bit worried....

The link you posted - my chicken (thank god) doesn't have her head down - she's pretty alert still (m.a.) I've put her in the fire place room so that she stays warm and given her some boiled eggs/honey/yogurt mix w/ some minced meat, veggies and water....she's eating fine. I'm not sure whats wrong with her..

 

[artsyrobin]

well, first off i would shift them to layer feed, as it has all the nutrients and things they need to prepare to start laying- i understand having them inside- have some of mine just now shifting outside- scraps might be a problem for them- you might want to read up on what they need dietwise, they may be run down- i'll check in the morning on how they are- welcome to BYC!

 

[misscrazy24]

Hey - yeah I told my dad to get some today

.

So I woke up at 4 times during the night to check on her (prolly disturbed her sleep a bit). She's doing okay - I think her feet still hurt b/c she doesn't like to move much - she's sitting. I put her out on the balcony sun for 15 mins this morning. Now she's sitting on a sheet in the dining room in the sun. She seems all right - but she's still jerking her head a lot =/. When she stand her tail goes down (I think she's still having some trouble balancing).

Otherwise I tried to make some of the egg-yolk-yougart-honey-graded apple- mix thing (someone else suggested) but she's not really eating it. =/ She ate some shells and fresh spinich.

The head jerking is stressing me out a bit - I don't know what to think of it.

She's sitting fine - I think that's good since she's resting up (like Happy did when she hurt her leg). But she's constantly jerking her head then stops for like 5 mins. then she starts again...=/ Sigh any suggestions?


Thanks

 

[artsyrobin]

how is her crop? something that might help her till you get the other feed is dog or cat food, maybe scramble some eggs, give them some yogurt- try to bump up the nutrition some- wouldn't hurt to give her a bath, if she has mites or something like that, you'll see them in the water

 

[misscrazy24]

Hey

Her crop is fine and definitely no mites or lice. The head jerking has now mostly stopped and she's on the move!

So her lethargy has worn off she's been hanging around the house all day. (dunno why she's so obsessed with trying to sit with the rooster who clearly is just tricking her *sigh* - chicken politics)

But I am happy to say she is doing better! Thank you for your help ^^. I'm going to keep her isolated for one more night just to make sure she's okay and then come Monday they'll be heading to the farm! >.<


Thank you again