Chicken unable to keep balance or eat

[natcave]

Hi there,

Yesterday i went to feed my chickens and noticed one of them laying on the ground allowing me to touch it, my chickens hate being touched and always run. I picked her up and put her back down and notcied she has almost lost her balance and can barely walk. She is not eating but will drink occasionally. Her bottom is pulsing slighty. I have tried to feel for an egg incase she is egg bound but havent had any luck. Im really worried about her. Is there anything i can do i dont want her to suffer please help

 

[Fishkeeper]

Which part do you mean by "bottom"? The vent? General rump/butt area? The underneath/belly of the chicken?

 

[natcave]

Which part do you mean by "bottom"? The vent? General rump/butt area? The underneath/belly of the chicken?

Rump/butt area

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Could be a thiamine deficiency or possibly even Marek’s. @Eggcessive @Texas Kiki @MissChick@dee

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi there,

Yesterday i went to feed my chickens and noticed one of them laying on the ground allowing me to touch it, my chickens hate being touched and always run. I picked her up and put her back down and notcied she has almost lost her balance and can barely walk. She is not eating but will drink occasionally. Her bottom is pulsing slighty. I have tried to feel for an egg incase she is egg bound but havent had any luck. Im really worried about her. Is there anything i can do i dont want her to suffer please help

Hi @natcave
Can you post some photos of your hen?
How old is she?
What type of food/treats do you feed?
Do you know when she last laid an egg? You felt for an egg inside her vent, but did not feel anything correct?
When you examined her - did you notice any bloat/swelling or fluid in the abdomen (under the vent between her legs)
Do you see any lice, mites or bugs on her?
Is she able to poop? A photo of that too please.
Can she eat/drink on her own?
Feel of her crop - what is that like - hard, soft, squishy, doughy, air or fluid filled, does her breath smell sour?

Can you bring her inside or place her in a kennel or crate on puppy pads or paper towels so you can get a good look at her poop. This will allow you to monitor her more closely too.

The more information you can provide along with photos will help us give you suggestions.

 

[natcave]

Hi @natcave
Can you post some photos of your hen?
How old is she?
What type of food/treats do you feed?
Do you know when she last laid an egg? You felt for an egg inside her vent, but did not feel anything correct?
When you examined her - did you notice any bloat/swelling or fluid in the abdomen (under the vent between her legs)
Do you see any lice, mites or bugs on her?
Is she able to poop? A photo of that too please.
Can she eat/drink on her own?
Feel of her crop - what is that like - hard, soft, squishy, doughy, air or fluid filled, does her breath smell sour?

Can you bring her inside or place her in a kennel or crate on puppy pads or paper towels so you can get a good look at her poop. This will allow you to monitor her more closely too.

The more information you can provide along with photos will help us give you suggestions.

This girl is around 6-7 years of age.
Have brought her inside and she will sleep in the bathroom tonight.
Have just washed her bum in warm water but attached a picture of what it looked like just before hand. She is pooing and it is liquidy. She eats laying pellets along with banana, apple, greens and corn. But right now wont eat or drink anything. Im unsure of when she last laid an egg as we have 16 other hens.

She seems to be going down hill very quickly, he toes are curling and she wont even stand by herself.

Will be taking her to the vet first thing in the morning.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have any Poultry NutriDrench or other electrolytes that you can give her orally? At her age, it could be a reproductive disorder, cancer, or some type of organ failure. Salpingitis, egg yolk peritonitis, and internal laying are somd reproductive problems. The curling of her toes could be related to a vitamin deficiency or pressure on her leg nerves from fluid or tumor.

This morning, you could offer some chicken feed with a lot of water, some cooked egg in a small bowl held near to her. Fluids are most important.

It is good that she is going to the vet where they can do some diagnostic tests. Please let us know what they find.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This girl is around 6-7 years of age.
Have brought her inside and she will sleep in the bathroom tonight.
Have just washed her bum in warm water but attached a picture of what it looked like just before hand. She is pooing and it is liquidy. She eats laying pellets along with banana, apple, greens and corn. But right now wont eat or drink anything. Im unsure of when she last laid an egg as we have 16 other hens.

She seems to be going down hill very quickly, he toes are curling and she wont even stand by herself.

Will be taking her to the vet first thing in the morning.

Glad you will be able to see the vet.

Do what you can to get her hydrated. I agree with giving Poultry Nutri-Drench or other poultry vitamins.
Reproductive disorders can be common in laying hens. Internal Laying, Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Salpingitis, cancer and tumors can be common. Any of these conditions can be accompanied by fluid in the abdomen (Ascites). Egg masses/matter, tumors, inflammation, etc., can press upon the nerves, intestines and organs causing difficulty walking/lameness, labored breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss, crop problems and the list goes on.
In the photo it looks like she has a bit of saggy bottom, is that hard or fluid filled?
Sometimes if the abdomen is fluid filled, that can be drained to give the hen short term relief.
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/6-causes-of-swollen-abdomen-in-chickens-2/

Let us know what you find out from the vet.