hen unable to stand upright

[bantiesrule]

1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Serama hen, approx. 8-9 months old weight unknown
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
She was having trouble standing, losing her balance alot. Now she can't even get up without help.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
She started having trouble right before Christmas and then got better, now she is much worse.
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No sign of any trama.
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
unknown
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Layer pellets. I also bought some mash by accident and they only like that if I mix it with water. So I have been doing that with warm water for a treat on these cold mornings. She eats well but is quite skinny. She also drinks well
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
A little loose but fairly normal.
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
I have been giving her Poly-Vi-Sol and I put some Terramycin in her water.
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?
I have tried the vets in our area before and they know very little about chickens so I'm pinning my hopes on you guys to help me.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I don't have a picture but she is very listless, lays on her side. She looks rough, I suppose she's not preening as she should.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use
The coop is heated to between 40 and 50 degrees. I use straw for bedding.


I thought maybe a vitamin defficency so have been giving her Poly-Vi-Sol and I put some Terramycin in her water. As stated before she just keeps getting worse.
Any suggestions on what's causing this and treatments for it???

eta: Even though she can't stand, she still seems alert. Eyes aren't glassy, head doesn't droop. No trouble breathing.

 

[Lesa]

I am sorry your hen is not well. Look at the bottom of her feet. Make sure she doesn't have bumblefoot. One of my chickens was not well and I imagined she had all kinds of problems. Turns out she had bumblefoot and once we did a little surgery she was fine...Don't give up...

 

[PandoraTaylor]

try electrolytes and/or Organic Apple Cider Vinegar in water (glass or plastic container).
Check for Lice & Mites, (they like to hide in the feathers and straw).
Check feet (Bumblefoot).

when did you worm last?

 

[bantiesrule]

I did dust her and all my others down pretty good for bugs. I usually do that every 3 months or so, especially in winter. I also use DE in their dust box.
Her feet look good, it's her legs that seem kinda stiff and hard for her to tuck under the normal way.
I haven't wormed them with anything other than the DE.

 

[hinkjc]

I'm going to guess botulism in this case, based on history and symptoms. Any time you wet feed, you risk mold. If she consumed it, she is in early stages of paralysis. Get her on a molasses flush right away and flush her system. She may be too far, but it's worth a try.

 

[bantiesrule]

It's too cold for mold, plus they clean it up within a half hour. Unless there is mold in the straw? It seems clean and fresh but I guess you never know for sure. Doesn't botulism cause breathing problems though? She doesn't have problems in that area. It's not like she's paralysed, her legs are just really stiff. She will move them while she is laying. If she does get up, when she tries to move, she lands on her face.
How do you do a molasses flush?

 

[seminolewind]

The things that come to mind are yes, botulism, Marek's, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Is there any change in her eyes? Sometimes Marek's will effect an eye. With EEE, it's overlooked alot, the symptoms are virtually the same as Marek's and it is spread by mosquitos and wild bird droppings. I've been reading alot about EEE and it seems to be a big problem in the midwest, mainly horses. I hope she gets better. Best to put her in a crate with her feed and water within reach.

 

[bantiesrule]

No, her eyes look good. Too cold for mosquitos. I don't think EEE is in Minnesota. And my chickens are wimps that hate snow (not that I blame them) and haven't been outside where there would be wild birds for almost 2 months. I do have her in a crate with food. I had water in there all the time but she kept tipping it or falling in it that now I just give her some while I'm there to hold it for her.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I think you're right, I'll bet the cold kills off the mosquitos every year, unlike Florida, where I live

 

[jaimslee4u]

This sounds like the same issue that happened to a bunch of hens about a month or two ago. I think there was atleast four different hens. All around the same age with the same problem. Everything looked healthy accept they just wouldn't stand. My Cheetah was one of them. One had to be put down, one passed away and two survived. I don't think anyone ever did find out what it was. I know it was not Merek's. My Cheetah survived, but it was a slow and long recovery. We brought her inside and she lived in a dog kennel for about a month. Lots of TLC, vitamins, Electrolytes, mashed egg, tuna, etc... I also used a medication I got over the counter at our local Agway. I can't remember the name of it right now, but I will find out tonight.

Good luck, I hope she pulls thru!