Emergency - Chicken hen found by coop in distress

[Turkey Trot]

An hour ago I put the girls up in a storm and, when I went out to check on them and put them up for the night, found one hen by the corner of the coop, breathing heavily, eyes closed and totally lethargic with her head tucked under her. Will flap her wings and then head goes back over her back in a spasm and then she collapses. Eyes closed. Am thinking she may have gotten hit by something in the storm as she seemed fine when I put them in. Breathing heavily and obviously in distress, should I try to bring her around with liquids/pedialyte? or consider the awful and put her out of her misery?

 

[Whittni]

I think she deserves a fighting chance. Bring her inside in a cage/box setup with some bedding and a quiet, warm place. Give her a few days and she might pick back up. If she'll eat/drink offer it to her and let her rest.

 

[ten chicks]

An hour ago I put the girls up in a storm and, when I went out to check on them and put them up for the night, found one hen by the corner of the coop, breathing heavily, eyes closed and totally lethargic with her head tucked under her. Will flap her wings and then head goes back over her back in a spasm and then she collapses. Eyes closed. Am thinking she may have gotten hit by something in the storm as she seemed fine when I put them in. Breathing heavily and obviously in distress, should I try to bring her around with liquids/pedialyte? or consider the awful and put her out of her misery?

What is the temp? If hot,she may be showing symptoms of heat stress/stroke,if this is a possibility,you have to immediately bring down her body temp.submerge her in COOL(NOT COLD)water up to her neck,this will drop her body temp. If heat is not an issue,but there was a severe storm,she may be scared/shock,bring her inside home( to monitor her)keep her quiet,give electrolytes.

 

[Eggcessive]

Since you are not really sure if she is sick or got injured, I would put her in a dog crate so that she can rest. She probably doesn't need fluids if this just happened this evening, unless you are not sure and it is very hot there. From the sounds of her neck movements, I would watch her for wry neck which can happen due to illness or injury. First thing in the morning, I would get her out and see how she is acting. Have you had any sick or new chickens lately? How old is she?

 

[Turkey Trot]

Thank you for your response. I agree and have made her comfortable as possible. She opened her eyes a couple times and took a few drops of water. Neck is still very wobbly or spasms. Legs and wings are strong and all other movement seems normal. Doesn't seem hot or stressed and it's been cool here most of the afternoon with storms moving in and out. 70's instead of our normal northcentral Florida 90's! Her respiration seems comparable with her sister Golden Laced Wyandottes and nothing else seems out of the ordinary. We'll see how she makes it through the night and keep her quiet and cool. Again, thank you.

 

[Turkey Trot]

She is approximately 3 years old. Took a few drops of water. I will get electrolytes first thing in the morning for her but she was fine before the storm. All 6 of my hens greeted us when we came home, as they usually do. They usually get a treat in the evening before they go up for the night, pick around and talk to me about their day and then go up, one by one on their perches for the evening. I have two americaunas, one black sex link and three Wyandottes.

 

[Turkey Trot]

No new chickens, no sick ones and it sure does look like wry neck now that I've read up on it. off to get the poly vi sorb without iron and vit E with selenium as well as perhaps some baby aspirin for inflamation first thing in the morning. She's quiet and resting now, breathing fine and not hot. Many thanks.

 

[Turkey Trot]

Lost her early this morning. Checked several times, she was resting, no distress and she'd moved around a bit but not flapping or panicked. When I checked her again at 7, it was over. Mostly cooled but still slightly warm, in the same place I left her earlier. Many thanks for all your advice.

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for the death of your pullet.

 

[Turkey Trot]

Thank you. I wish this had turned out better. I was fully prepared to take off first thing and get everything needed to bring her through. I will now prepare an emergency kit as has been suggested so I'm always ready for most any eventuality. It certainly showed every symptom of being the wry neck suggested. All other vitals were fine except this neck business and she appeared to be coming around, opening her eyes and moving to make herself more comfortable. Eleanore was a great girl and one of three Wyandottes given me when I first built my coop. She is missed.