Hen with crooked neck and ataxia (Updated...necropsy says Marek's)

[kathyinmo]

It sounds like you are doing all you can! I do know the frustration! I don't know what else to advise. Hydration is important, yes. The dark green poo usually means not eating well. I sure hope you see some improvement soon.

Good luck!

 

[babsbag]

This morning her poo looks pretty normal. Not all runny any more. She will eat on her own, if I point her beak towards the food and keep reminding her where it is. She can sit up ok, but when she walks (or trys) she falls over. Still no luck with the water on her own.

I keep wondering if she has a head trauma and not an illness. She seems bright and alert, but sometimes she will peck at food in front of her and miss her mark. Luckily I only work part time and can spend time with her in the morning before work to make sure she eats and gets at least some fluids. She takes a lot of time that is for sure. Some people think that I am crazy to care about a chicken, that is why I came to this forum

-Barbara

 

[babsbag]

Last night she ate like a champ. Moistened crumbles, cooked egg, apples, tomatos, sweet potatos, the works. She still won't drink any water. Her head is not held to the side anymore, but she doesn't stretch it out like a normal chicken. She looks like she is always roosting. Her balance is not good at all.

Now this morning she is back to not eating. No interest at all, but if I put it in her beak she swallows it readily. I have been giving her the vitamins, nutri-drench, Tylan, and everything else I can think of. I just don't know what is going on with her. Her wings and legs are not paralyzed.

I see reports of other birds with similar balance problems. Does anyone know what really causes that symptom? Some seem to recover and others don't. I read that someone thought it could be a strain of encephalitis, but since it is winter and no mosquitos around I kind question that for my hen. Also having one die last week also makes me wonder.

Any more ideas or suggestions would be welcomed.

-thanks
Barbara

 

[kathyinmo]

I wish I could help.

I am just inexperienced, and don't know what else it could possibly be.

 

[babsbag]

Well, it is up and down with this little hen. One day she eats on her own, and the next day she doesn't. Still doesn't drink on her own at all. She looked very out of it when I left for work today, but so far she has been a survivor. If she is still with me when I get home she has an appt with my vet. I am lucky enough to have a vet that treats chickens, goats, dogs, cats, the works. How very fortunate for me. Hopefully she can hear something or see something that I am missing. Maybe change antibiotics to Baytril and maybe some prednisone in case it is a head injury.

Hoping for the best.

 

[babsbag]

Well, it is up and down with this little hen. One day she eats on her own, and the next day she doesn't. Still doesn't drink on her own at all. She looked very out of it when I left for work today, but so far she has been a survivor. If she is still with me when I get home she has an appt with my vet. I am lucky enough to have a vet that treats chickens, goats, dogs, cats, the works. How very fortunate for me. Hopefully she can hear something or see something that I am missing. Maybe change antibiotics to Baytril and maybe some prednisone in case it is a head injury.

Hoping for the best.

 

[babsbag]

Well, it is up and down with this little hen. One day she eats on her own, and the next day she doesn't. Still doesn't drink on her own at all. She looked very out of it when I left for work today, but so far she has been a survivor. If she is still with me when I get home she has an appt with my vet. I am lucky enough to have a vet that treats chickens, goats, dogs, cats, the works. How very fortunate for me. Hopefully she can hear something or see something that I am missing. Maybe change antibiotics to Baytril and maybe some prednisone in case it is a head injury.

Hoping for the best.

 

[kathyinmo]

I sure hope for the best for you, as well!

 

[babsbag]

I took chickie to the vet and was given some Baytril, even though there was no obvious sign of any respiratory problems. The vet really didn't think that my hen would make it through the night, as she is very skinny and dehydrated. But she did. She still won't eat or drink on her own, but takes the food when I give it to her. I just don't know what to think. She is one tough little bird. SHe sits upright on her own, and the first few days I had to prop her up with towels, so maybe she is getting better...slowly.

I see quite a few posts with similar symptoms. I just wonder how much of this is Marek's and the chicken just lives through it so there is never any necropsy done. But if it is Marek's wouldn't other chickens in the flock show signs of it eventually? If it is a vitamin defiency, why isn't the commercial chicken feed that is being fed fortified with vitamins so that this isn't happening? MIne eat crumbles for layers, scratch, free range, and fresh vegetables when I had a garden. They also get oats and grains that they find in the goat feed.

If my hen recovers I will never know what was wrong. If my other birds never get the same symtoms then can I assume that it wasn't Marek's? I have one more dose of Baytril to give, in hope that she has an ear infection. That would be a simple fix, but I am doubtful that that is the problem.

I really appreciate all the good wishes from everyone out there. It is encouraging to read posts from other members that have had similar problems and how they treated them.

 

[kathyinmo]

If I understand it correctly, commercial feeds provide an average amount of vitamins and nutrients necessary for proper growth and development. Meaning, this is generally appropriate for most birds. Some need extra, most do not.

That is one determined bird you have there, isn't it? My goodness, you have done so much. If necessary, you could have a necropsy done to determine the underlying problem. Your vet should be able to give you details on that.

I wish you the best!