Help! My 4 month old pullet is unable to hold her head up!

chicken_china_mom

Crazy for Cochins
10 Years
Apr 24, 2009
2,084
10
191
Tab, Indiana
My pullet Indie was fine yesterday but today when we went to check on the birds, we couldn't find her. We finally found her hiding, and when my daughter fished out and handed her to me, she was lethargic and her crop didn't feel like it had very much of anything in it, though it wasn't completely empty. She has always been super fiesty and I knew something was wrong when she just let me hold her against me and she rested her head on my arm. I brought her in to the kitchen and gave her food and water and she devoured the food. With the water she scared me cause she was submerging her entire beak into it and the water was pouring out her nose as she tried to drink it. I reduced the amount of water in the bowl and let her drink some more while I observed her. I noticed that she was shaking and unable to hold her head up. I was loath to put her back with the other birds, so instead we put her in a box and she is resting laying down, with her head stretched out and resting on the floor of the box. She isn't sitting up with it tucked into her back feathers like she should be. Her feathers are puffed up too. I don't know what is wrong with her. If someone has an idea, please, let me know. I don't want to lose her, she's my baby girl. I don't know if I'm looking at something viral, bacterial, neurological, or something else entirely. Please, if someone has an idea, please let me know. I am not sure she will even make it through the night.
sad.png
 
Please, doesn't anyone have any idea? She is still eating and drinking, but she can't lift her head up. She is also being very quiet and calm, something that is very UNLIKE her. She is usually loud and pushy. Please, can someone give me any idea at all?
 
Most likely she was pecked on the head or possibly hit it on something. Treat for crookneck: exgtra vitamin E, selenium & B vitamins, metacam or prednisone (both require a prescription). Keep her is a small area where you can readily observe her, and provide support while she eats/drinks, although if she can manage on her own it is better.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom