- Mar 7, 2011
- 69
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My hens (about 30) free range all day. Three days ago, Peepers started having trouble walking, at least when she tries to run, and standing up from a sitting position. I noticed it first when at Chickie Treat time; she came running but sprawled forward, legs out behind her. She was able to get up and walk slowly, but seemed a little out of it. She was as assertive as ever at grabbing food, but she seemed to not want to shake it to get it down.
I "examined" her, and the only potential problem I could find was with my finger all the way in her vent, I felt course matter at about the last third of my finger. Thinking it might be broken egg shell, I pulled it out. What I got just looked like poop, but with some watery looking blood (so it appeared). I "scraped" it out twice and that seemed to get it. I gave her a dose of antibiotic (have to go to the fridge to check the type).
Sometimes, they manage to get into insulation, which we all know is Chickie Crack, so I figured that might be it. THe next day, her walking seemed better, so I hoped she was recovering.
Then today, both she and Malady were having the same problem again -- they can walk fine slowly, but when they try to run, they stumble and drop down, trying to use their wings to balance, and they have a hard time standing from sitting. They also don't want to jump down from a surface.
Best I can tell, nothing else is wrong. They are eating just as aggressively and aren't acting particularly lethargic.
They came from Murray so should be vaccinated for Marek's.
Now, Malady had a problem about 3 months ago (thus the name Malady). Over the first three months of the year, we lost 4 or 5 hens to what I now think was pneumonia. At the advice of our local non-degreed vet specialist at the feed store, I gave the whole flock 10 days of a strong antibiotic, and everyone seemed fine. A few weeks later, Malady started acting lethargic. After a few days, I notice a swelling above one of her eyes. I gave her anohter round of the antibiotic, and she seems to have recovered completely other than that lump, which has forced that eye mostly closed. But she copes and has shown no other problem till now.
I checked out the "Big Giant Page on Marek's" (https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq) and wonder if the cause might be one of the following:
1. Inner ear problems -- I've noticed that when my husband and I experience a surge in allergies (this spring has been bad), Malady seems to lose some energy and her bad eye bother her -- gets a little goopy and she scratches it a lot. I haven't noticed similar symptoms in Peepers, but it would make sense to me that their actions are explained by a lack of balance.
2. Consuming insulation, -- But in the last three days, I sealed up the one remaining source of it.
3. Metal toxicity -- I say this only because it's the only other thing on the Big Giant Page list that seems to fit. Since they open range all day, they could've got into anything, but I'm not aware of anything particular out there.
Any suggestions?! I"ve been giving them the antibiotic twice a day since yesterday and plan to pick up some children's Benadryl tomorrow to try.
I'd appreciate any thoughts!!
Thank you!
I "examined" her, and the only potential problem I could find was with my finger all the way in her vent, I felt course matter at about the last third of my finger. Thinking it might be broken egg shell, I pulled it out. What I got just looked like poop, but with some watery looking blood (so it appeared). I "scraped" it out twice and that seemed to get it. I gave her a dose of antibiotic (have to go to the fridge to check the type).
Sometimes, they manage to get into insulation, which we all know is Chickie Crack, so I figured that might be it. THe next day, her walking seemed better, so I hoped she was recovering.
Then today, both she and Malady were having the same problem again -- they can walk fine slowly, but when they try to run, they stumble and drop down, trying to use their wings to balance, and they have a hard time standing from sitting. They also don't want to jump down from a surface.
Best I can tell, nothing else is wrong. They are eating just as aggressively and aren't acting particularly lethargic.
They came from Murray so should be vaccinated for Marek's.
Now, Malady had a problem about 3 months ago (thus the name Malady). Over the first three months of the year, we lost 4 or 5 hens to what I now think was pneumonia. At the advice of our local non-degreed vet specialist at the feed store, I gave the whole flock 10 days of a strong antibiotic, and everyone seemed fine. A few weeks later, Malady started acting lethargic. After a few days, I notice a swelling above one of her eyes. I gave her anohter round of the antibiotic, and she seems to have recovered completely other than that lump, which has forced that eye mostly closed. But she copes and has shown no other problem till now.
I checked out the "Big Giant Page on Marek's" (https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq) and wonder if the cause might be one of the following:
1. Inner ear problems -- I've noticed that when my husband and I experience a surge in allergies (this spring has been bad), Malady seems to lose some energy and her bad eye bother her -- gets a little goopy and she scratches it a lot. I haven't noticed similar symptoms in Peepers, but it would make sense to me that their actions are explained by a lack of balance.
2. Consuming insulation, -- But in the last three days, I sealed up the one remaining source of it.
3. Metal toxicity -- I say this only because it's the only other thing on the Big Giant Page list that seems to fit. Since they open range all day, they could've got into anything, but I'm not aware of anything particular out there.
Any suggestions?! I"ve been giving them the antibiotic twice a day since yesterday and plan to pick up some children's Benadryl tomorrow to try.
I'd appreciate any thoughts!!
Thank you!
