Chicken Not Standing Up?

[michelle127]

One of my girls that is just shy of 6 years old is acting weird. Yesterday she was laying in the coop midday. This morning, I went to give them fresh water and some scratch, she pretty much fell down the ramp. I picked her up and took her outside as another chicken was trying to peck her when fell. She just laid down. I moved her legs around and them seem fine as do her feet. She walked back into the coop when I threw more scratch but tipped over a little. Two of the other birds started picking on her so I put her back up into the coop so she was away from them. I’m going to pick up some electrolytes from the store today. I’m going to do a makeshift separation by bringing her in the house and putting her in a dog kennel with food and water so I can monitor her better. Worst part is I have to leave for work shortly and will be gone for the next 10 hours. Any ideas what could be wrong or suggestions on what to do?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try to prop her with some rolled towels and place food and water close to her. A dog crate is a good way to separate them. I have had a 7 yr old hen similar to yours who has balance issues and for a month could not walk without falling over. She is walking again, though still wobbles, and still gets picked, so is separated. Keeping her well fed seems to have helped her. It could be a reproductive disorder or something else that is putting pressure on her leg nerves. Sometimes we don’t know the problem until we can do a necropsy after we lose them.

Have you added any new birds recently who could have been carriers of Mareks disease? I would look over her legs for any swelling or signs of a injury. Also feel of her lower belly between her legs to check for any enlargement compared to other hens. Does your hen still lay eggs?

 

[noregerts]

One of my girls that is just shy of 6 years old is acting weird. Yesterday she was laying in the coop midday. This morning, I went to give them fresh water and some scratch, she pretty much fell down the ramp. I picked her up and took her outside as another chicken was trying to peck her when fell. She just laid down. I moved her legs around and them seem fine as do her feet. She walked back into the coop when I threw more scratch but tipped over a little. Two of the other birds started picking on her so I put her back up into the coop so she was away from them. I’m going to pick up some electrolytes from the store today. I’m going to do a makeshift separation by bringing her in the house and putting her in a dog kennel with food and water so I can monitor her better. Worst part is I have to leave for work shortly and will be gone for the next 10 hours. Any ideas what could be wrong or suggestions on what to do?

Separate her and provide something that will give her energy, like scratch corn. I've had this happen a few times over the years. Sometimes they've rallied and lived, other times they perked up while seperated but went right back downhill after they were reintroduced to the flock. At almost 6 years old, she may just be dying of old-age. I'm sorry, good luck.