Hen falling over/losing balance

[judevie]

Hi all,
I have a 6 1/2 year old barred rock. On Saturday, I noticed she lost her balance when I let them out to their fenced yard. I watched her for a but and saw her continuing to stumble and tip over. I was able to pick get up, which she has never let me do in her 6years. She has always been a healthy hen. She seemed thin when I picked her up. I checked her over, no obvious injuries, eyes are clear, no diarrhoea, eating and drinking, but trouble with balance. She is nearing end if molting, getting pin feathers in. I moved her to our isolation rabbit hutch on Saturday, gave her water with added vitamin,minerals and electrolytes, her feed, and scrambled eggs which she ate right away. She has been eating and drinking. She's still isolated, because she still is falling and losing balance, otherwise seems normal. Does anyone have any ideas of why she is falling over? She looks drunk. I don't want to put her back because I'm afraid she'll get hurt but also not sure if it's something that could be contagious.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Is she thin? Definitely sounds like something is going on. I would continue doing what you are doing and see if she improves.

 

[judevie]

Is she thin? Definitely sounds like something is going on. I would continue doing what you are doing and see if she improves.

Yes, she is a little thin, but eating.

 

[Chickem707]

Thos was exactly how mine was in the early signs of the vitamin deficiency.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yes, she is a little thin, but eating.

Thin birds often become weak and wobbly. At her age I would think something internal is going on like cancer or organ failure. Many of my birds pass by age 6, and a few go on for longer.

Keep up trying to feed her and keep her comfortable. You could try worming her, though it's always risky to worm a sick animal.

@Wyorp Rock , thoughts?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

6 1/2 year old barred rock. On Saturday, I noticed she lost her balance when I let them out to their fenced yard. I watched her for a but and saw her continuing to stumble and tip over.

seemed thin

She is nearing end if molting, getting pin feathers in.

added vitamin,minerals and electrolytes

she still is falling and losing balance, otherwise seems normal.

What type of vitamins are you giving her? I would look to make sure they contain Vitamin E and B2. Molting can be very hard on them. The egg is good - it gives a little extra protein, plus I feel like it's just a great all around thing to give a chicken

When you feel of her - does she feel fullish in the abdomen, any swelling/tightness or bloat? If you cup her under the vent and between the legs what does that feel like.

Some of the symptoms you describe could be related to molt. With her age and coming to the end of molt and possibly back into lay soon, she may be symptomatic of a reproductive problem too. Was she laying at all before molt? Any problems with laying?

 

[judevie]

Thin birds often become weak and wobbly. At her age I would think something internal is going on like cancer or organ failure. Many of my birds pass by age 6, and a few go on for longer.

Keep up trying to feed her and keep her comfortable. You could try worming her, though it's always risky to worm a sick animal.

@Wyorp Rock , thoughts?

Thank you, these are things I was wondering about. My husband and I talked about her age and the possibility of cancer or some internal organ issue.

 

[judevie]

What type of vitamins are you giving her? I would look to make sure they contain Vitamin E and B2. Molting can be very hard on them. The egg is good - it gives a little extra protein, plus I feel like it's just a great all around thing to give a chicken

When you feel of her - does she feel fullish in the abdomen, any swelling/tightness or bloat? If you cup her under the vent and between the legs what does that feel like.

Some of the symptoms you describe could be related to molt. With her age and coming to the end of molt and possibly back into lay soon, she may be symptomatic of a reproductive problem too. Was she laying at all before molt? Any problems with laying?

It's a vitamin/electrolytes mix, it has Vitamin E but no B12. I will pick some up tomorrow. She hasn't been laying much for awhile, but a healthy layer when she did. I did not appreciate any swelling or bloating, but I will double check her again tomorrow.
Thanks so much for your opinion/info!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It's a vitamin/electrolytes mix, it has Vitamin E but no B12. I will pick some up tomorrow. She hasn't been laying much for awhile, but a healthy layer when she did. I did not appreciate any swelling or bloating, but I will double check her again tomorrow.
Thanks so much for your opinion/info!

Thank you, these are things I was wondering about. My husband and I talked about her age and the possibility of cancer or some internal organ issue.

Look to see if your vit/electrolyte mix has B2 (Riboflavin). B12 is also good too - if you have a hard time finding a poultry vitamin that contains those, you can also give her 1/2tablet human B-Complex vitamins (crush it and mix with her food). B Vitamins are water soluble and excess is excreted in the urine, so you don't have to worry too much about an overload of those, but of course moderation is key.

With older hens things can go wrong so you do have to consider reproductive problems. Does her poop look normal? Worms and coccidiosis can also become a problem in a hen that is not quite up to par - molting is often the time when you see an underlying condition.
I would give her several days, encourage eating/drinking, try to get the vitamins in her. My BR is the one who also has a very rough time during molt, I try to baby her a bit with eggs, her normal feed, vitamins and she is nuts for dark greens and veggies - so I make sure the flock gets some kale or broccoli a couple of times a week.

I hope you see some improvement, I'm sorry she is not feeling well.