SomeChookLover
Chirping
- Sep 24, 2023
- 71
- 97
- 86
Hi everyone. Around five days ago I noticed my 2 year old hen acting odd. Although she moved around with the rest of the flock, she was almost always sleeping and breathing through her mouth. The next day she seemed better, and I had to leave for a trip so I was not able to check how she was doing, but I was told she seemed fine.
That was until yesterday morning when quite suddenly, she began panting, and her legs began to fail as she lost her balance. She half crawled a metre or two before completely sitting down. I moved her into the sick chicken area, and when I put her down she pushed her legs out in front of her. I moved them back underneath her and they stayed there. Her wings we also droopy, she showed no interest in eating or drinking and was still panting. She was also very thin. When I left her, she closed her eyes and began to sleep.
I made her some sugar water which I’ve been giving to her through a syringe. I moved her into a nesting box which she seems to prefer. Her toes are curling and she cannot walk, so I believe she’s paralysed.
I wasn’t sure she’d make it through the night, but she did and seemed a little better this morning. She’s been actively trying to drink from the syringe, and even had a few bites of food. She also pooped overnight, which was white and probably watery. It was all down her vent feathers, though the nesting box is a little cramped for her, being an Orpington. Her wings are also no longer drooping, and she can move them. She does still sleep when I’m gone. However, after giving her some more sugar water, she began panting again, which she hadn’t done since the initial event. Im now worried, as it seems to be a pattern that she gets unwell, seems to be improving only to become worse.
She is still very alert, but is currently being treated for some parasite/infection issues. She has a mild case of bumble foot and scaly leg which are being treated, and an even milder case of lice, however I’m not treating them as I don’t want her to inhale the dust incase she’s having respiratory issues.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated, thank you.
That was until yesterday morning when quite suddenly, she began panting, and her legs began to fail as she lost her balance. She half crawled a metre or two before completely sitting down. I moved her into the sick chicken area, and when I put her down she pushed her legs out in front of her. I moved them back underneath her and they stayed there. Her wings we also droopy, she showed no interest in eating or drinking and was still panting. She was also very thin. When I left her, she closed her eyes and began to sleep.
I made her some sugar water which I’ve been giving to her through a syringe. I moved her into a nesting box which she seems to prefer. Her toes are curling and she cannot walk, so I believe she’s paralysed.
I wasn’t sure she’d make it through the night, but she did and seemed a little better this morning. She’s been actively trying to drink from the syringe, and even had a few bites of food. She also pooped overnight, which was white and probably watery. It was all down her vent feathers, though the nesting box is a little cramped for her, being an Orpington. Her wings are also no longer drooping, and she can move them. She does still sleep when I’m gone. However, after giving her some more sugar water, she began panting again, which she hadn’t done since the initial event. Im now worried, as it seems to be a pattern that she gets unwell, seems to be improving only to become worse.
She is still very alert, but is currently being treated for some parasite/infection issues. She has a mild case of bumble foot and scaly leg which are being treated, and an even milder case of lice, however I’m not treating them as I don’t want her to inhale the dust incase she’s having respiratory issues.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated, thank you.
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