Hen standing on one leg, fluffed up, shaking head

[feathered fannies farm]

1) What type of bird , age and weight. She is a barred plymouth rock, 6 months old, 6 lbs.
2) What is the behavior, exactly. Standing off to herself, on one leg, fluffed up,with pretty much continous shaking her head back and forth.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?Since this morning, 1/29/10
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.None that I can find
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. Nothing I know of, she was fine yesterday.
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. They have layena crumbles and water.But I don't know if she has eaten today.
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Don't know
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Nothinh
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? Will try and treat myself.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. No injury noted.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use They are in 14 x 25 room- (25 girls)- Bedding, pine chips and hay.

If you have any idea what could be going on, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
Tammy

 

[Taylor]

she's sick sounds like to me, I had a silkie once that had the same symptoms and died 3 days later

 

[The Chickens' Maid]

Maybe a vitamin deficiency?

 

[TinyBirds]

I recommend separating her from the other chickens, and put her in a bin in your garage or something w/ a heat light to keep her warm. Then re-evaluate in a few days. The main thing is to keep her away from any other chickens in case she's contagious.

 

[teach1rusl]

Plus if you isolate her, you can find out if she's eating, drinking, and pooping okay. Gives you more to go on.

 

[usschicago1]

Hey Im sorry about whats happening to you.
Here is just info im copying and pasting. Ive been working on this post for about an hour.
Ok this site says ...based on your syptoms what you could have http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044#TABLE_2
Possibility # 1 as you read is newcastle
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/111/newcastle-disease-paramyxovirus-1
Possibility #2 is Corza
http://www.fowlvisions.com/?p=338
Possibility #3 is LT
Infectious Laryngotracheitis
Synonyms: LT, ILT, trach, laryngo

Species affected: Chickens and pheasants are affected by LT. Chickens 14 weeks and older are more susceptible than young chickens. Most LT outbreaks occur in mature hens. In recent years, LT has also caused significant respiratory problems in broilers greater than 3 weeks of age, especially during the cooler seasons of the year. This is believed to be due to unwanted spread of LT vaccines between poultry flocks.

Clinical signs: The clinical sign usually first noticed is watery eyes. Affected birds remain quiet because breathing is difficult. Coughing, sneezing, and shaking of the head to dislodge exudate plugs in the windpipe follow. Birds extend their head and neck to facilitate breathing (commonly referred to as "pump handle respiration"). Inhalation produces a wheezing and gurgling sound. Blood-tinged exudates and serum clots are expelled from the trachea of affected birds. Many birds die from asphyxiation due to a blockage of the trachea when the tracheal plug is freed (see Table 1 ).

Transmission: LT is spread by the respiratory route. LT is also spread from flock to flock by contaminated clothing, shoes, tires, etc. Birds that recover should be considered carriers for life. LT may be harbored in speciality poultry such as exhibition birds and game fowl.

Treatment: Incinerate dead birds, administer antibiotics to control secondary infection, and vaccinate the flock. Mass vaccination by spray or drinking water method is not recommended for large commercial or caged flocks. Individual bird administration by the eye-drop route is suggested. Follow manufacturers instructions. In small poultry flocks, use a swab to remove plug from gasping birds, and vaccinate by eye-drop method.

Prevention: Vaccinate replacement birds for outbreak farms. Vaccination for LT is not as successful as for other disease, but is an excellent preventive measure for use in outbreaks and in epidemic areas. Refer to the publication PS-36 (Vaccination of Small Poultry Flocks) for more information on LT vaccinations.
Possibility # 4
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/29/chlamydiosis-psittacosis-ornithosis
Possibility # 5
Ms
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/99/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-ms-infectious-synovitis
Possibility # 5 Mg
Mycoplasma gallisepticum
Synonyms: MG, chronic respiratory disease (CRD), infectious sinusitis, mycoplasmosis

Species affected: chickens, turkeys, pigeons, ducks, peafowl and passerine birds.

Clinical signs: Clinical symptoms vary slightly between species. Infected adult chickens may show no outward signs if infection is uncomplicated. However, sticky, serous exudate from nostrils, foamy exudate in eyes, and swollen sinuses can occur, especially in broilers. The air sacs may become infected. Infected birds can develop respiratory rales and sneeze. Affected birds are often stunted and unthrifty (see Table 1 ).

There are two forms of this disease in the turkey. With the "upper form" the birds have watery eyes and nostrils, the infraorbitals (just below the eye) become swollen, and the exudate becomes caseous and firm. The birds have respiratory rales and show unthriftiness.

With the "lower form", infected turkeys develop airsacculitis. As with chickens, birds can show no outward signs if the infection is uncomplicated. Thus, the condition may go unnoticed until the birds are slaughtered and the typical legions are seen. Birds with airsacculitis are condemned.

MG in chicken embryos can cause dwarfing, airsacculitis, and death.

Transmission: MG can be spread to offspring through the egg. Most commercial breeding flocks, however, are MG-free. Introduction of infected replacement birds can introduce the disease to MG-negative flocks. MG can also be spread by using MG-contaminated equipment.

Treatment : Outbreaks of MG can be controlled with the use of antibiotics. Erythromycin, tylosin, spectinomycin, and lincomycin all exhibit anti-mycoplasma activity and have given good results. Administration of most of these antibiotics can be by feed, water or injection. These are effective in reducing clinical disease. However, birds remain carriers for life.

Prevention: Eradication is the best control of mycoplasma disease. The National Poultry Improvement Plan monitors all participating chicken and turkey breeder flocks.



On the poultry site for the possibilies it doesnt list shaking head as a possibility. Trust me it is. According to a few sites, shaking of the head is usully always respitory. Since i have a massive headache, tomorrow after you post more info ill help u determine which one it is and what to do.
Welcome to

Another thing i would do (besides seperating it for now, is look for mold,
-Mark

 

[usschicago1]

Youve got to have an update bye now

i really want to help you

 

[feathered fannies farm]

Thanks to everyone for the info. I believe she had a sour crop. Followed the directions on the BYC forum for sour crop and she is now pretty much back to normal. Eating and drinking well, and running around like she used to.
Thanks again for your help.
Tammy

 

[usschicago1]