Hen cant walk

[KathyR]

Hi everybody. Looking for some advice. About a week and a half ago I noticed one of my hens not looking right, staying inside and poofy. had to work and didnt do anything that day. Next day she wasnt walking right, looked like she may have had a stroke or something. It was in a period when we had a couple of 90 degree days. I put her in a cage, for her protection. Started her on liquid baytril and nystatin, had both on hand. Also treated with wazine Gave wet mash 3 x a day to encourage eating, although appetite very good she was extremely thin.. Tried to cover all bases.Next day she was on her feet and walking around cage. Kept her in cage to give her time to gather strength before releasing with others. Well all of a sudden she was down again.Well today I discovered she is loaded with what I think is lice. I feel so bad that I didnt see them before, even though I had looked. I right away used permetherin dust (not sure of spelling) and they were just dropping off her. How sad. At work now and hoping she makes it through the night. Do you think the lice did this to her or did the lice attack after she became so weak. Put dust on others and only saw a few on one of the others. Forgot to mention have a problem with wild birds going into coop and eating food. I wonder if this could be where the lice came from.

 

[sumi]

It is quite possible that the wild birds introduced the lice. You'll have to dust your run regularly to keep them under control. I've actually lost a hen to lice. By the time we realised she wasn't well it was too late. She died very quickly. I hope your hen recovers!

 

[KathyR]

Sorry toto hear youit lost onesome to lice. I didnt realize mineI had them either. Well, this morning she was not looking good. I washed her up, she also has diarrhea, and dried her off. She was barely moving, wouldn't keep eyes open. Her feet were white and cold. I really thought she was dying. I brought her inside, put her in a dog crate with a small space heater near her. Cooked her a scrambled egg and was very surprised when she ate quite a bit of it. By this evening she was more alert and sitting up on her own. Still unable to stand. Any ideas what I can give her to help her regain her strength? She already gets vitamins and electrolytes regularly.

 

[sumi]

Scrambled eggs is very good, as is vitamins and electrolytes. Apart from that I can't think of anything else. Except maybe some liver for a iron boost? If you have nettles in your garden you can add some to the eggs. It's packed with iron and other good things.
I hope she gets better.

 

[Amb3r]

Do make sure if there is any impaction in the crop! That gives a wobbly gait. Discourage wild ducks and cranes, they are loaded with ticks, mites, and lice!! Do not allow them near your birds. If it is the lice, then an antibiotic course could help the bird. You can also give her some paracetamol (based on weight) if she feels hot. Also treat the whole flock for worms (Deworming) and ticks. Good luck with your girl!!

 

[KathyR]

Thanks for the replies. How would I give her liver? I think iron would help.what are nettles? She is on liquid baytril and nystatin. She was wormed when all this started, thinking it may have been worms. I feel terrible about her being so sick. She is actually a chicken my 9 yr old granddaughter picked out at a local farm 3yrs ago. She named her Love. I hope she survives this.As far as the wild birds, It is mostly small sparrows, I think, that go in my coops. I do have ground hogs, chipmunks and rabbits under my coops. Not sure how good that is either.

 

[KathyR]

Hi. Well, Love is looking a little better as the day goes by. She is is able to stay upright but still unable to stand up yet. I had started giving her some scrambled egg but this has caused a problem. Now she does not want her regular food. I tried mixing the egg with wet food and was amazed at how well she could pick out the little bits of egg. But also she is now eating the wood shavings, devouring them like she does the egg. I had to cover the shavings with a towel. This is a new behavior. I use them for bedding all the time. Does anyone have any idea what would cause this behavior. She has access to layer crumbles as usual.

 

[chkn]

Give her a flea bath, the mites and lice are what's killing her. Just don't let her get chilled. I like Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo. Then blow dry. Get some protein in her.

 

[CGinJCMO]

I have no personal experience with adults eating bedding but you sound like you are doing everything right...covering the litter, mixing the feed and eggs together. My only suggestion is to keep the feed in front of her at all times and when she gets hungry she will eat.

Good Luck Kathy. I hope she continues to improve.
CG

 

[KathyR]

I believe I got rid of the lice. I used permethian (?) powder and watched them dropping off. So I am now just working on getting her strong and waiting, hoping she will walk again. I don't understand what would make her eat the shavings. She does have continuous access to the layer crumbles. Thanks for all the help and support.