concussion?

[ksavageclarke]

My gorgeous new polish crested pullet panicked today and flew up bashing her head into the nests. She fell onto her back and couldn't turn over. I picked her up and she was in tough shape. I held her and her head just hung over my arm I thought she broke her neck She woke up a bit and held her head up but her tongue was hanging out and she periodically made horrible noise and then passed out. She gradually got a bit better, but kept dosing off in my arms. I gave her a bit of sugar water from a syringe. We set her in a cage in the house with water and food. She dozed for a bit then suddenly stood up and started eating. We left her there with the border collie standing guard for several hours. She seemed fine and enjoyed her time there, seemed to like watching our guinea pigs. After a few hours we put her back with the rest of the group on the roost and she seemed quite content. Is there something else/better that I could have done? It was a horrible feeling, i really had no idea what to do.

 

[Matt A NC]

Polish and other crested breeds have a soft spot on the tops of their heads or almost no skull at all at the top. This does create a hazard for them. Any impact on the top of the head can cause trauma, damage, or even death.

What you did was perfect. You kept her quiet and safe till she recovered. I would watch her for a couple days to make sure she stays safe, but other then that there ain't much to do.

Matt