Hen acting odd and suddenly puffs out and drops on to her side. Completely fine after a few seconds.

[DuckDuckRooster]

I am taking care of a hen that was being picked on by her flock, I think she is around 1 or 2. She appears to be very healthy, she lays eggs frequently, her comb is bright red, her vent looks good, her legs and feet look good, her feathers look good. She has behaved normally up to this point (she's been here about a month), but the last few days she's been laying inside, which is odd for her. Today she was pecking around as normal until she started to act like she was hot (puffed out, wings out, panting; it was 80). She had already laid an egg. She was like this for while and then all of a sudden she went to the corner, puffed out to the maximum, and dropped onto her side. She seemed like she was in pain. I thought she was about to die. After maybe 15 seconds she got up and was a bit puffed but otherwise fine. She seems okay now. I looked her over and she appears perfectly healthy. I have no idea what happened. Does anyone have an idea as to what might be going on? Thank you!

 

[azygous]

A benign reason for a chicken to fluff up anddrop onto its side is to sun themselves to absorb vitamin D. People not used to that sight might think the chicken is having a death event. So, next time it happens, if there is a sun beam involved, you have your explanation.

I can't think of a pathological reason for this action.

 

[Jenbirdee]

sounds like a seizure. apparently chickens can have them. can you take her to a vet?

 

[DuckDuckRooster]

A benign reason for a chicken to fluff up anddrop onto its side is to sun themselves to absorb vitamin D. People not used to that sight might think the chicken is having a death event. So, next time it happens, if there is a sun beam involved, you have your explanation.

I can't think of a pathological reason for this action.

Hopefully that was it. Thank you so much!

 

[DuckDuckRooster]

sounds like a seizure. apparently chickens can have them. can you take her to a vet?

I Don't have a vet I can get into quickly. I'll look up chicken seizures and see if I can possibly get her in. Thank you!

 

[DuckDuckRooster]

She is acting odd again. She'll peck around and then lay down and kind of wobble. Can't get in to the vet. I'm not sure what to do. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[azygous]

Try giving her a capsule of vitamin E. Pop it directly into the beak. Chase it with a little egg.

 

[DuckDuckRooster]

Try giving her a capsule of vitamin E. Pop it directly into the beak. Chase it with a little egg.

Thank you

 

[chickiebean85]

I had a duck that had seizures she would get a glazed look in her eyes and just seize vitamin e helped her alot good luck to you and your chickie!