hen with unknown condition, unable to stand or walk

[MA0323]

About a month ago, my family's beautiful barred rock hen (around 8 years old) began to stand and walk funny, like a penguin. We suspected she was egg bound at first, and although didn't feel anything in her vent, treated her for it regardless. nothing came of it, and since egg binding is incredibly lethal and she continued to live on, we thought that must not be the case. She seemed to also have trouble pooping, as we weren't noticing droppings, so we began to treat her for a possible intestinal obstruction instead.

While her pooping returned to normal, her condition didn't improve. She grew to have what we dubbed "episodes", where after standing, she'll squawk and flap her wings seemingly in panic/pain, then settle down to sit. These episodes have grown to be far more frequent. She used to be able to take some steps initially, but now she can only stand for a few seconds before having another one.

We've tried many things we could think of—giving her vitamin enriched water, plenty of calcium, Nutri-Drench, Epsom salt soaks, crop massages, feeling for any sort of masses or fluid, examining her legs for bumblefoot or injury. Nothing has stood out to us, and nothing seems to be improving her condition. Since she's held on for so long, I can't help but feel like maybe there's something we can still do. She still eats and drinks normally, loves treats as much as a healthy chicken, but she's incredibly skinny.

Unfortunately, we don't have access to a vet that would treat chickens. I've scoured this forum daily for anyone with a similar situation, but I haven't come across one yet, so I'm posting out of desperation. If these symptoms ring any bells, or give an idea of something we could try, please let me know. We're still relatively new chicken owners compared to many others, this hen being one of our firsts. Culling her seems like the only option now, but I'm hoping there's maybe something we could still try.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry about your hen.

Can you get a video of the episodes that she has?
Upload video to YouTube and provide a link.

Hard to know what's causing her decline, but with her age and your description it may be a reproductive disorder.
Cancer, EYP, Salpingitis, etc. can be common in laying hens.

Only you can determine when it's time to let her go. In the meantime, continue to offer supportive care, see that she's eating/drinking, keep her vent clean if she's sitting all the time, check for lice/mites.

 

[Themellowyellows]

How do her poops look like? Is she still egging? Have you treated for worms? Does she breath hard or heart rate high?


My best guess is Cancer, so, culling her might be the only option, but if you answer these questions maybe I can help you some more? Is its hot there? It may be from the heat.

 

[MA0323]

I'm sorry about your hen.

Can you get a video of the episodes that she has?
Upload video to YouTube and provide a link.

Hard to know what's causing her decline, but with her age and your description it may be a reproductive disorder.
Cancer, EYP, Salpingitis, etc. can be common in laying hens.

Only you can determine when it's time to let her go. In the meantime, continue to offer supportive care, see that she's eating/drinking, keep her vent clean if she's sitting all the time, check for lice/mites.

Thank you for the reply, here is a video of one of her episodes

She is most comfortable lying down, but she will try to stand on occasion, which will trigger the episode. We allow her to rest most of the day with easy access to food and water, since we don't want to cause her any pain.

 

[MA0323]

How do her poops look like? Is she still egging? Have you treated for worms? Does she breath hard or heart rate high?


My best guess is Cancer, so, culling her might be the only option, but if you answer these questions maybe I can help you some more? Is its hot there? It may be from the heat.

Her poops are solid, occasionally green in color, but ultimately nothing about them sticks out as a concern. If I manage to get a picture soon, I'll share it

She is no longer egging, her last egg was laid shortly before this all started.

She is treated for worms, so that shouldn't be a concern.

She doesn't breath hard or have a high heart rate, and it's not particularly hot around here. We've had some hot days over the summer, but we've also had many cool days, and her condition didn't change.

Cancer is also what I fear. Thank you for your reply

 

[Themellowyellows]

Her poops are solid, occasionally green in color, but ultimately nothing about them sticks out as a concern. If I manage to get a picture soon, I'll share it

She is no longer egging, her last egg was laid shortly before this all started.

She is treated for worms, so that shouldn't be a concern.

She doesn't breath hard or have a high heart rate, and it's not particularly hot around here. We've had some hot days over the summer, but we've also had many cool days, and her condition didn't change.

Cancer is also what I fear. Thank you for your reply

Your welcome, she seemed to have been squeezing at one point then reacted... Maybe a egg is stuck in her vent..? Have you checked to see if her vent is swollen?

 

[Cinnajava]

I am so sorry for your chicken and you guys.
I'm a newbie chicken owner, but I watch lots of vet shows for many years- I would agree with whomever said reproductive disorder.
As someone who recently took a chicken to the vet as an emergency- sometimes you can find a vet who will either treat the chicken if you won't ever eat the eggs or meat or will treat the chicken to put it down for you. I think whatever it is- is probably pressing on a nerve somewhere.

 

[MA0323]

Your welcome, she seemed to have been squeezing at one point then reacted... Maybe a egg is stuck in her vent..? Have you checked to see if her vent is swollen?

I noticed the straining as well, but unfortunately I have no idea the cause. That's why for a while we thought maybe she was severely constipated, but unfortunately the symptoms didn't stop once her pooping returned to normal. Speaking of, I managed to get a photo of a fresh one

She has no egg, I've felt many times for one, and her vent is normal outside of being a bit dirty from laying around a lot. I gave her a soak tonight to try to help keep that area clean and healthy.

 

[MA0323]

I am so sorry for your chicken and you guys.
I'm a newbie chicken owner, but I watch lots of vet shows for many years- I would agree with whomever said reproductive disorder.
As someone who recently took a chicken to the vet as an emergency- sometimes you can find a vet who will either treat the chicken if you won't ever eat the eggs or meat or will treat the chicken to put it down for you. I think whatever it is- is probably pressing on a nerve somewhere.

It's been hard to see her suffer so much, especially when she's one of our first babies. We're doing our best to keep her comfortable, and spoiling her with her favorite treats. Thank you for your response.

We've considered seeing if our regular vet for our other animals would be willing to perform euthanasia for her, but currently we haven't reached out—we're honestly concerned how much it could cost. If her condition continues to decline though, I think that might be our next step. None of us can stomach culling her ourselves.

 

[Themellowyellows]

I am so deaply sorry, why dont you see if they can help her? I understand chickens are so hard to save. Its especially hard to see some of your first hens suffer, my best hen just passed due to egg bound, she was my favorite and I still cant suck up her passing... Whatever happens just know you tried and she is in chicken heaven, pain and suffer free. Sometimes chickens can slap you in the face and turn around and be like- "ha! You thought! Im still alive!" Hopefully thats the case with her... You tried antiboitcs right?