Hen acts drunk?

[FaerieChicken]

Yesterday one of my Rhodies was fine! This morning I find her in the nest box, she had layed her egg, at least I hope it was her egg, basically she seemed fine. I collected all the eggs from the nest boxes, took them into the house. Went to get their morning treats ready and met everyone in the backyard. I noticed her come out of the coup/run and was running, as they most often do, then when she stopped, she seemed off balance, using her wing to help her walk, she is stooped down but eagerly eating the scratch and worms! I went to the other side of the yard to spread more for them and she came running, without problems, but once she got there she seemed to fall over and off balance, kind of like she was drunk. She doesn't seem to be able to scratch!

What should I look for? She is eating/drinking fine, should I just let her be for the day and see how she does? Is there anything I can do to help her?

Thank in advance.
Heather

 

[pwand]

Its possible its Marek's disease. Give her vitamins in case she is deficient. Also deworm and dust the birds. She could be anemic from mites or lice, anything is possible so rule it all out.

 

[FaerieChicken]

Ok, thanks! With mites or lice, wouldn't they be scratching often? Also this is sudden, yesterday she was perfectly fine. The hens use the natural dirt in the yard I notice, so would I just fill their dusting areas with the mite/lice powder?
Worming is a good idea as I don't when the last time was since I've had them for only about 3 months, but they all range in age, 7 are 2 years, 6 are 1 year and the rest are only about 4 months old. I believe it is one of the 2 year olds! Hope this extra info helps too!

 

[pwand]

My suggestions are to help rule things out. You can put it in their dirt, however, they should be done putting it on them. Then again i think after 10 days. Make sure you use safeguard or valbazen for deworming. Hopefully its not Marek's. Here is some links for deworming and dosage. If she passes away, i would suggest a necropsy to be done. Do some research on Marek's disease.

Valbazen dosage on this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/606881/valbazen-de-worming-question

Safeguard:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/812128/worming-with-horse-wormer

 

[Vamvakas]

You should check the feathers for bugs yourself... Chickens don't scratch like dogs or cats when they have bugs on them, they just act weak and sick looking/ half dead looking.

 

[FaerieChicken]

She is better today! I picked her up and checked for bugs, while I was holding her, I noticed her butt, not vent, is swollen I guess or big and her tail isn't perked up and her butt is soft n squishy! How would I help her if she is constipated or if she is egg bound?

 

[Michael Apple]

She is better today! I picked her up and checked for bugs, while I was holding her, I noticed her butt, not vent, is swollen I guess or big and her tail isn't perked up and her butt is soft n squishy! How would I help her if she is constipated or if she is egg bound?

If the hen is egg bound, Kathy has some good info for you here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/846308/sick-chicken-help-please#post_12580567

Without adequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium cannot be utilized by the bird. Get yourself some Avian Super Pack http://www.asp-inc.com/products/documents/prodinfo/a/aviansp.pdf

Use 1/4 tsp per gallon of water along with 1/2 tsp Probios dispersible powder: http://www.probios.com/powdersgranules1.html
I do this 3 days a week and always do it after treating a sick bird. This assists birds during breeding season, prevention of intestinal diseases, and coping with other stresses.

Feed a well formulated layer ration. Offering too many "treats" that aren't nutritionally beneficial or difficult to digest can distract birds from the nutritional benefits of balanced feeds.

 

[FaerieChicken]

The part I am calling her butt is below the vent, compared to the other girls it is larger and squishy, almost fluid filled. She is walking around better today and she is still eating and drinking fine. I'll try a warm water bath when the temperature warms up a little more. She isn't acting broody, she isn't spending a lot of time in the nesting boxes, I don't think she can get up there! No one is picking on her, and her eyes are clear!

 

[FaerieChicken]

Hooray! She layed an egg! Right in front of me. I went out to check on her and get ready to the warm bath, she was crouched in the corner making little noises and pushing and out rolled an egg! She got up started eating, running around the run then out to the back yard! I think she is almost out of the woods.

 

[Michael Apple]

Glad to to know. It may have been a case of egg binding. You'll be less likely to see that with a good diet and supplementation I mentioned.