Help! Hen with possible neurologic problem?

[cheeps]

I walked by my OEGB cage today where I have a crele laying pair housed and I noticed my hen, Sophie, just not looking like herself. She was sitting scrunched up, with her wings out and tail feathers pointed down. I thought maybe her foot was stuck in the wire or something. I picked her up, inspected her, she looks fine. I could tell there was just something wrong. I sat her back down, and gave her some scratch. She started towards it, and when she did, she fell over. One of her legs is working just fine. The other she keeps stretching out way behind her, sometimes up level with her tail, then she'll lose her balance and fall. She also seems to be kicking the foot out behind her.. I have inspected her head to toe, I don't see anything. It seems neurological to me. Has she had a stroke? She's sitting on the couch with me right now. She's laying on her belly, leg out behind her, picking at some cracked corn...so she's hungry. I've never seen or heard of this before! Please help gurus!

Here she is on the couch. Hopefully you can see the leg sticking out.

 

[jerseygirl1]

I'm sorry, I don't know, wish I could help

 

[leenie]

huge bump
Someone will know

 

[cheeps]

Thanks guys...bumps always help. (Sophie just clucked a thank you...lol)

 

[kristenm1975]

Hey cheeps, that sounds just like what my Sicilian Buttercup chick is doing. She's about 3-4 weeks and just started it two days ago. It was her posture that caught my attention too, sitting there with her wings spread out a bit, like for balance, tail feathers down, hunched spine. The leg sticking out straight is just the same too.

I have yet to figure out what's causing her trouble, but she's fading fast, unable to eat or drink except by what I can give her a few times a day by dropper. Sad! I hope your girl does better.

 

[chicmom]

I'll bet she had a stroke. Seems like maybe one side has been affected.....so that's why her leg is sticking out strangely.....sometimes they can recover. If you can just do what you're doing, and keep her isolated so no other chickens pick on her, maybe she has a chance. I would keep the food and water within reach, and she may recover. (It's possible she might not, but I'm wishing you good luck!) Also, you could put some vitamins and electrolites in her water. That's always a good thing to do for an ailing chicken.

Sharon

 

[leenie]

While you are waiting to hear back from someone who can actually help out. . . check out some of the posts on botulism, not saying that is what she has. . .
If it's toxins you can help flush it out with some molasses in her water. Gave that to mine once and they loved it. I don't know whats wrong but throwing ideas out there.
When you have a sickie it's hard just sitting around.

 

[cheeps]

Thanks ya'll! Kind words always help.

Well, I broke out my VetRx, I've had so many farmers swear that stuff helps ailments that it should not help, so I gave her a couple drops right down the gullet...can't hurt anything. Then laid down on the couch beside her box for a nap (I'm home sick from work today...that's the only reason I've caught all this lol) She woke me up up scratching for her corn in the box! She's still not right, but she can walk and scratch which she couldn't before. I'm not asking questions...just happy she's doing a little bit better. At least she's moving around. Every once in a while she looses her balance still. I'm almost convinced of a stroke.

How am I going to explain to my hubby that this seemingly healthy chicken IN THE HOUSE *GASP* is the same one I called him hysterical about a few hours ago?

They always make me look like a liar.



Oh, the best part is I pulled her out and sat her on my knee for two seconds on my FAVORITE blanket (the one that was given to me for my wedding last year that has our names and wedding date embroidered on it). Yep. Big old poop...all over it. Figures.

 

[Shared Acres]

I would say stroke or botulism. I think Marek's has a similiar symptom, but I'm not sure.

I don't know how hot it is in your area or if she had shade.

Maybe she got into something old or moldy? Even bad food? There is a flush you can do, try searching for it.

 

[cheeps]

My research too is pointing to Mareks. I'm starting to freak! She looks so much better now though? Will it hurt to do the botulism flush just in case? From what I read the botulism affects the neck...her neck is fine. But I know the symptoms aren't always cut and dry. We're working our way into a drought here in NC...we had a little rain on Sunday. I guess maybe the food could have gotten wet before we got it though.

Back to Mareks...oh my gosh. I know this is pretty serious if that's what it is. I'm thinking we got this hen in either Feb or March at the show in Salisbury NC where we brought home a sick rooster who has since recovered. But from what I read about Mareks it has a long incubation period. This is my hubby's favorite girl...oh gosh, if we have to cull her he won't do it!