Hen in distress!

[merry123]

Please help!!! I just found one of my little olandsk dwarf hens down in the pen. She she is unable to walk and seems to be having spasms. The othe hens have pecked her and drawn blood on her wings and crown. I think she may be having trouble laying her eggs, but I don't know what to do to help her. Any Suggestions?

 

[The Angry Hen]

Sorry to hear she's not well. I might not be able to help much at all... But I'd start by putting her in a bowl of warm water to help if she is egg-bound. It will help her go through the process easier.

 

[Farmgal101]

Please help!!! I just found one of my little olandsk dwarf hens down in the pen. She she is unable to walk and seems to be having spasms. The othe hens have pecked her and drawn blood on her wings and crown. I think she may be having trouble laying her eggs, but I don't know what to do to help her. Any Suggestions?

Im sure someone who knows more about this will come along for now i would say get her away from the other chickens and clean her up.

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is she, and has she had problems laying or abnormal eggs? I would separate her in a quiet spot, maybe a basket or a dog crate so the others cannot peck her. Give her a thorough exam starting with inserting a finger into her vent an inch or two, to feel for a stuck egg. If there is only soft tissue, do not bathe her. Feel of her crop in the upper right chest--compare it to others. Look at her chest, belly, and vent area for loss of weight, swelling, loss of feathers, and any lice or mites. Give her some water from a small cup, and if you have SaveAChick vitamins/electrolytes or NutriDrench give some per label instructions.

 

[merry123]

Sorry to hear she's not well. I might not be able to help much at all... But I'd start by putting her in a bowl of warm water to help if she is egg-bound. It will help her go through the process easier.

 

[merry123]

Thank you for your suggestion. I put her in a warm water bath for about 10 minutes. She was very relaxed and quit spasming. She is on her feet now, and I have her confined in a small container. Her little bottom is swollen, but I can't see anything. She had a little bit of white creamy discharge.

 

[merry123]

How old is she, and has she had problems laying or abnormal eggs? I would separate her in a quiet spot, maybe a basket or a dog crate so the others cannot peck her. Give her a thorough exam starting with inserting a finger into her vent an inch or two, to feel for a stuck egg. If there is only soft tissue, do not bathe her. Feel of her crop in the upper right chest--compare it to others. Look at her chest, belly, and vent area for loss of weight, swelling, loss of feathers, and any lice or mites. Give her some water from a small cup, and if you have SaveAChick vitamins/electrolytes or NutriDrench give some per label instructions.

Thank you.

 

[merry123]

Thank you. She is 1 1/2 years old and has never had a problem with her eggs. No mites or lice. I'm checking her out now, but this is a first time for me. Kinda scares me!

 

[The Angry Hen]

Thank you for your suggestion. I put her in a warm water bath for about 10 minutes. She was very relaxed and quit spasming. She is on her feet now, and I have her confined in a small container. Her little bottom is swollen, but I can't see anything. She had a little bit of white creamy discharge.

No problem. Glad to hear the spasm eased. Now I'd suggest putting some calcium (liquid, powder or oyster shells) in her water. Continue this. It helps.

Also, maybe rub the area that's swollen? But for now I'd try the calcium.

 

[Eggcessive]

Did you check inside her vent with a finger? Use a disposable glove if possible. Has she passed any droppings?
Sometimes if there is a stuck egg, it can press against nerves causing a temporary paralysis. Other possibilities could be dehdydration or injury causing her lameness, but Mareks could be another cause. Hopefully, it is temporary, and it will be resolved soon. I am glad that she enjoyed her bath. The reason I advised against it, is the when they are extremely ill from an unknown cause, a bath might stress them enough to put them over the edge. But I am glad that it eased her tremors. Keep us posted.