Hen Gone Nuts - Flailing, Disoriented, etc.

[Clay Valley Farmer]

Might be worth looking at botulisum symptoms.

Top of my head there are a few potential matches

-paralysis (legs)
-loose feathers
-lethargic
-Loose poop
-rapid onset

 

[hookshot]

Thank you, botulism looks like it might fit. This is what Strokey looks like most of the time now, with her head dropping down, sometimes it falls forward and she rests with the tip of her beak on the ground. Does this look like botulism paralysis? (I couldn't find any photos on Google of what it looked like)

Thanks!!

 

[lightfoot]

the following web site has some very interesting info.


http://www.poultryhelp.com/botulism.html

bob

 

[babsbag]

If you decide that it is botulism there are many threads on BYC that talk about giving them an epsom salt flush to remove the toxin. I think you can use molasses as well, but don't hold me to that.

I have had a few chickens with similar symptoms and unfortunatley they did recover. When I had a necropsy done the lab gave a diagnosis of Marek's disease. The disease had caused brain tumors. I have one right now that I think is heading down that same path. She goes to peck at her food and misses. She also appears to be partially blind.

It is hard to watch them when they are sick, even if the are "just chickens". Good luck with your hen, and I would try the epsom salts, you have nothing to lose by doing it.

 

[hookshot]

After thinking about botulism I did a search for it on this forum and found an amazing thread (the link if anyone in the future needs it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=219553&p=1 ) with a ton of info.

I went out and got some epsom salts, gave her 1 tsp in 30 mls of water. Then I followed it up with 30 mls of powerade, since I had no electrolytes and there's no pharmacy around here that's still open.

Now it's night time so she's gone to sleep, if she's still with us in the morning I'll see.

I just have a couple questions:

1) How often should I give her the 1tsp/30mls epson salt mixture?
2) Is 30 mls of powerade after acceptable or do I need to give her more?
3) How long should it take before I see a change? Will the epson salts just make her poo everywhere?

Thanks

 

[hookshot]

Anyone with an answer to these questions?

I woke up this morning and she was on her back in the tub we've been keeping her in. Thought she was dead, and now she won't open her eyes at all

 

[Lesa]

So sorry you are having these troubles. She is such a pretty chicken. I'm sorry to say that I doubt this chicken is going to recover. When I see a hen on the coop floor at night, it always seem to end in death. The fact that she was on her back, is even worse news. Perhaps, it was the heat, or she has some internal problem. She is lucky to have you looking over her, but sometimes there is just nothing you can do, but keep them safe and quiet. Hoping for the best...

 

[satay]

I am sorry your poor chicken is ill. I think people have already given you some great advice. Unless you can take her to a vet I can't think of anything else to add sorry. Are you sure she had heat stroke earlier? Not sure what part of oz you are in but I have sussex here and to my amazment they love to run around during the middle of the day even when it gets of 45c. I have yet to loose one to heat stroke. I am sorry for your poor strokey. Have you checked her over for lice or ticks?

 

[hookshot]

Thanks for the comfort everyone, I do realize that I don't think she's going to make it, but she is a fighter!

I'm about 99% positive she had heat stroke the last time. We're in northern NSW and we had a whole string of about 2 weeks of cold weather and storms, then all of a sudden one hot 30+ degree day, which is the day we found her passed out in the coop.

When she got the cold water bath, she went from the edge of death to open eyes and slightly curious in the course of about 10 minutes, so I am pretty certain that's what it was.

I think perhaps after the heat stroke she was still weak enough to be susceptible to any other diseases around and that's what got her. She was fine for about 1.5-2 weeks after the heat stroke, acting completely normally.

 

[hookshot]

Strokey passed away this afternoon.

Thanks for all your help everyone, I do appreciate it.