HELP VERY ILL HEN

[A Chicken Owner]

I have 14 month old leghorn who is very ill. She can't walk properly and is very unbalanced. She just sits on her side in one spot all day and eats very little. She keeps on shaking her left leg. Her poo is normal.

 

[A Chicken Owner]

Please help!!!

 

[loveourbirds]

is she drinking?

 

[A Chicken Owner]

I haven't seen her drink much

 

[loveourbirds]

check to see if she is egg bound. you can see the vent "wink" and sometimes the egg will be visible. if this is the case give her calcium and a warm bath.

she may just be injured, they will usually get better on their own if you can keep them eating and drinking. sometimes adding a little sugar to canned creamed corn will get them eating. sometimes adding sugar to water will get them drinking.

 

[A Chicken Owner]

She laid an egg yesterday. At first I thought she was injured because she was limping but after a day or two she stopped walking and sat down. She occasionally will get up and walk.

 

[loveourbirds]

im really not sure of what is going on, but make sure she has feed and water. it sounds most like an injury and if its been going on for about 3 days, today through day 5 should be about the worst.

probably the most major cause of leg injuries (other than attacks) is roosts being to high in their coop.

if you can keep her eating and drinking, your chances are good.

brian

 

[A Chicken Owner]

There is always food and water around so she never goes hungry. She started being like this about 3-4 days ago so I hope your right. Thanks so much for your help

 

[loveourbirds]

i hope im right too. if you have other birds, make sure she is separated from them (just in case).
i don't know if this is a good practice, ive heard of people rubbing absorbtine (horse liniment) on wounded legs.

i have also heard of people giving baby asprin, and im pretty sure this is safe as long as you don't do it a lot.

 

[A Chicken Owner]

I have only two chickens. My other one is an ISA Brown and they grew up together so they get along very well. My ISA has even been sitting with my leghorn to keep her company