Hen found on her back in coop... what's wrong?

[Michigan1229]

Hello all, hoping for some insight here on our chickens suddenly contracted odd condition.

So, this morning we found one of our 5 month old Barred Rock hens lying on her back in the coop stuck between the nesting box and the wall. We aren't sure why she was in this odd position but her face is also red/inflamed and her eyes are red and half shut.

She was instantly moved inside the house in a kennel and given electrolytes and fresh food. She has been drinking a lot of water and eating normally. Crop feels firm but not abnormally distended and abdomen also feels normal and pliable. Her poop looks quite normal as well. After catching her balance she is walking and standing normally. Clean of fleas and mites as far as we can tell and no noticeable injuries to speak of. Breathing is not labored and seems normal, no other birds are showing any symptoms of being sick. Her and her hatch mates were vaccinated for mereks and she has not started laying yet. Was perfectly fine yesterday.

We have a couple of theories but were hoping for some more experienced insight to her condition and maybe treatment suggestions. Not sure if we should be worried.

Thanks for any input!

 

[CoopintheWoods]

I'm no expert, but I know that my pullets (about 5 months) are not what you would call... graceful. Is it possible that she could have fallen off something (maybe the nest boxes?) and landed the way you found her? The odd look of her face may have been due to the fact that chickens can barely breathe when upside down.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would guess that she had fallen and gotten wedged. I have some nest boxes that 2 of my chickens insist on roosting on at night. They jockey around for position, and could easily have this happen. When they get stuck, sometimes chickens will flail around sometimes hurting themselves more, or becoming unable to breathe normally. Hopefully she will recover fully.