INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[animallover2202]

doesnt move not effected much by me touching her head droppy wings i offered her food and wter but she didnt take it shes laying down stands up for alil and then just lays down and her right wing isnt effected by it being touched and her left wing is effected

 

[Leahs Mom]

How old is she?

Some folks I know have had those kinds of symptoms ... not sure if your girl has the same thing as their birds did... but theirs was a Thiamin/niacin deficiency. If you feed medicated feed that can make it worse as the medication it it blocks thiamin absorption.

We were discussing something similar to this earlier in this thread but the symptoms were a little different. Here are a few links to those posts:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/730582/indiana-bycers-here/2790#post_10664990

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/730582/indiana-bycers-here/2800#post_10665894

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/730582/indiana-bycers-here/2800#post_10666412

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/730582/indiana-bycers-here/2800#post_10666412

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/730582/indiana-bycers-here/2820#post_10667771




"Polyneuritis in birds represents the later stages of a thiamine deficiency, probably caused by buildup of the intermediates of carbohydrate metabolism. In the initial stages of deficiency, lethargy and head tremors may be noted. A marked decrease in appetite is also seen in birds fed a thiamine-deficient diet. Poultry are also susceptible to neuromuscular problems, resulting in impaired digestion, general weakness, star-gazing, and frequent convulsions.

"Polyneuritis may be seen in mature birds ~3 wk after they are fed a thiamine-deficient diet. As the deficiency progresses to the legs, wings, and neck, birds may sit on flexed legs and draw back their heads in a star-gazing position. Retraction of the head is due to paralysis of the anterior neck muscles. Soon after this stage, chickens lose the ability to stand or sit upright and topple to the floor, where they may lie with heads still retracted. Thiamine deficiency may also lead to a decrease in body temperature and respiratory rate. Testicular degeneration may be noted, and the heart may show slight atrophy. Birds consuming a thiamine-deficient diet soon show severe anorexia. They lose all interest in feed and will not resume eating unless given thiamine. If a severe deficiency has developed, thiamine must be force-fed or injected to induce eating."


Some of them had success by getting Poly-vi-sol and putting a little in the drinking water. NOT THE KIND WITH IRON. Just plain. You can usually get it at the regular grocery store in the baby department.

Looks like this:

I want to say it again: YOUR BIRD MAY NOT HAVE THIS! Just wanted to pass on the info and giving some raw liver or Poly-Vi-Sol won't hurt them either way so it may be worth a try!

 

[Mother2Hens]

Animal Lover~ I hope some experienced members can help you. I just looked in my "Chicken Health for Dummies" book, but the information about diagnosing an illness listed definite symptoms like diarrhea or respiratory issues. If you have any additional details to share like age of bird, is she laying, how do her eyes look (hard to tell on a photo), etc. Since it's Easter and people are busy, you might post the info on the regular BYC site under emergencies. Cute photo!

 

[ellymayRans]

Happy Easter everyone!! It's turning out to be a beautiful day!!

It sure was Danand! Lucked out for Mother Nature to shine down upon us!

 

[Too Fast]

Yes is was a really nice day. Now back to late winter, this week.

We have the coop built and secured, with a very secure heat lamp, and the girls are spending their first night out alone. It's so quiet in the house suddenly, we are empty nesters!

 

[Too Fast]

With the weather going to be in the low 30s, and mid-20s, does anyone here think that is too cold for 4.5 week old chickens? They seem fine, there is a lot of straw/hay, and they have a heat lamp. They are sitting on the hay, a bit away from the heat lamp, fluffed up and not on top of each other. Will they naturally climb the ladder we made to get on the roost and closer to the heat if they need it?

 

[Crafty chick]

Too fast~ I think yours will be fine. They look well feathered. You can always go check on them late to see if they are piling. I'm not sure how cold it will get the next few days. I do know significantly colder though. You'll just have to keep checking like a new Dad

 

[Too Fast]

Too fast~ I think yours will be fine. They look well feathered. You can always go check on them late to see if they are piling. I'm not sure how cold it will get the next few days. I do know significantly colder though. You'll just have to keep checking like a new Dad

Piling? As in piling/sleeping on top of one another? Here's another picture of how big they are. Whoops, picuture is above lol. The coop has an erie red glow to it tonight, first time ever and yes we are nervous parents lol.

 

[Crafty chick]

Yeah sleeping on each other. They look like they'll surprise you with how they'll do. My bantams are only 2.5 weeks old and not feathered as yours, or they would be out in the coop with the heat lamp too. Maybe 1 more week for mine. When Iput my first ones out, I would look out my bedroom window every time I woke during the night to see that eerie red glow! I know the feeling. I put a window where I can see the bantams roosting when I do put them out.

 

[Crafty chick]

Did you get "pullets"? A couple of them look like roos......